May 12, 2026, 12:59 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza enjoyed a stellar final collegiate season at Indiana, tallying 3,535 passing yards, 48 total touchdowns, and just six interceptions en route to a Heisman Trophy Award, undefeated season, and College Football National Championship. He was the clear-cut No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, but his fantasy floor and ceiling are question marks in Year 1 as a pro. For one, Mendoza is a tactical scrambler, but he's unlikely to make a big impact on the ground at the next level. Without offering much rushing upside, he'll need to be a prolific and efficient passer to be a starter in Single-QB formats, which would be a surprise in 2026 with a wide receiver room consisting of Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, Jalen Nailor, and Dont'e Thornton Jr. Tight end Brock Bowers is fantastic, but there isn't much to be excited about among pass-catchers otherwise in Las Vegas. Combine the worst wide receiver room in the NFL with a typical rookie learning curve, and it's tough to imagine consistent fantasy success for Mendoza right away. He could also sit out a significant amount of his rookie season behind Kirk Cousins. All in all, he's a fine but not ideal QB2 option in Superflex leagues, but he's best left for the waiver wire in most 1QB setups. In dynasty setups, his value is much stronger, and hopefully, the Raiders will surround him with talent in the years to come.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN