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Kirk Cousins Still the Raiders' Starting QB
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said on Monday that veteran Kirk Cousins is still the starting quarterback, but if Fernando Mendoza's number is called, "we have confidence in him," according to Levi Edwards of the team's official website. Cousins went 19-for-28 for 243 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions in Sunday's 45-17 blowout loss to the New England Patriots and gave way to the first overall pick out of Indiana late in the second half. In Mendoza's first regular-season game action in the NFL, he went 6-for-8 passing for 48 yards and also ran the ball once for three yards. The 38-year-old Cousins did not have a terrible performance by any means in Week 5, and although he is just keeping the seat warm for Mendoza, he has earned a longer leash as Vegas' starter due to the team's 3-2 record to open the 2026 campaign. The Raiders will be looking to avoid a third straight loss in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills in a game in which Cousins could be forced to throw the ball often to keep up with Buffalo's high-octane offense. Cousins has surprisingly been the QB7 overall in fantasy with 1,269 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and four interceptions through five games.
Source: Raiders.com - Levi Edwards
Source: Raiders.com - Levi Edwards
Fernando Mendoza Remains a Strong Dynasty Hold Despite Backup Role
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza is still waiting for his first regular-season snap, and Kirk Cousins has done little to open the door for him. The veteran has led Las Vegas to a 3-1 start with 1,026 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, making a change under center difficult to justify right now. Mendoza's preseason didn't make much of a case for speeding up that timetable, either. The No. 1 overall pick completed 25 of 45 passes for 240 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions across three games while adjusting to Klint Kubiak's offense. There is still plenty for dynasty managers to like. Mendoza came out of Indiana after throwing for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns with only six interceptions, completing 72% of his passes. Las Vegas also has young offensive pieces in Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty for him to eventually work with. There is no guarantee Mendoza starts this season, but spending time behind Cousins shouldn't significantly hurt his long-term dynasty appeal. He remains a strong hold in Superflex leagues and a worthwhile taxi-squad stash in one-QB formats, giving dynasty managers the flexibility to be patient with his development.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kirk Cousins a High-End QB2 in Tough Matchup vs. Patriots
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins is proving to be a strong starting option for fantasy managers, even as he readies his team to face the Patriots in Foxborough in Week 5. The veteran play-caller is coming off an impressive appearance against the Chiefs, throwing for a season-high 365 yards with two touchdowns and just one interception against a tough Kansas City defense. The Week 5 matchup is far from ideal since New England has been top-tier at defending the pass, allowing just 189.8 yards and five touchdowns in the air through Week 4. However, Cousins might not have Ashton Jeanty (ankle/foot) to lean on, so he will have to confidently lead the Raiders downfield through the air. Cousins remains a must-play in flex leagues, while also transforming into a high-end QB2 in standard formats because of his consistent production.
Source: FOX Sports
Source: FOX Sports
Kirk Cousins Is More Than a One-Week Streamer
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins has played his way into the waiver conversation after another productive afternoon. Cousins threw for a season-high 365 yards and two touchdowns against Kansas City, completing 31 of 52 passes and adding one interception. He has now thrown multiple touchdowns in all four games and owns 1,026 passing yards with 11 scores against four picks. The Week 5 matchup at New England is not ideal, so Cousins is not the top one-week streamer on the board. His value goes beyond this Sunday, though. Las Vegas has been willing to put the ball in his hands, and there is little reason to worry about his starting job after three straight 22-point fantasy performances. Cousins should be rostered in Superflex leagues and is worth adding in standard formats for managers who want a quarterback with staying power beyond one matchup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kirk Cousins Attempts 52 Passes as Raiders Come Up Short
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 31 of his 52 pass attempts for 365 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception during Sunday's Week 4 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. He also finished the game without being sacked. It was a very impressive performance from the veteran quarterback, with the lone blemish being the interception. Vegas came up just three points short of the Chiefs in this battle of unbeaten teams, putting Kansas City in sole possession of first place in the AFC West for now. Not only has Cousins been able to support consistent fantasy production from players like Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty, but he also has fantasy value of his own, racking up 11 touchdowns through four weeks. He's a sneaky low-end QB1 option heading into Week 5 against the New England Patriots.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kirk Cousins a Risky Play in Tough Week 4 Matchup
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins has been a surprise success through three weeks, but will face his toughest test in Week 4 when the Kansas City Chiefs visit Sin City. The veteran signal-caller is tied for the most TD passes through Week 3 (nine), adding a 67.4% completion rate for 661 yards and just three interceptions. Though Cousins has an 8:1 TD:INT ratio against the Chiefs in his career, he is also 0-5 against them. Plus, Kansas City boasts a top-10 defense that is allowing just 178.3 passing yards per game. Cousins is still a solid waiver-wire add in two-quarterback fantasy leagues, but is a very high-risk play against this tough divisional opponent. Fantasy managers in standard formats should consider better matchups for their Sunday slates.
Source: Pro Football Focus
Source: Pro Football Focus
Kirk Cousins Emerging as a Must-Roster Quarterback in Two-QB Leagues
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins has been one of the surprise success stories of the 2026 season so far, completing 67.4% of his pass attempts for 661 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions across his first three games played. Cousins has thrown for exactly three touchdowns in each contest so far, which is likely to regress over the course of the season. Still, the Raiders offense has been much improved this year despite being without star tight end Brock Bowers for the first two weeks of the season. With Bowers making his return in Week 3 and looking like a true impact pass-catcher, fantasy managers can start to buy into Cousins' resurgence. In two-quarterback league formats, Cousins profiles as a must-add waiver-wire target ahead of his Week 4 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kirk Cousins Maintains Streamer Status vs. Saints in Week 3
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins has been an unexpected gem for the Silver and Black and aims to continue that success in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints. Cousins completed 65% of his passes against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2 and overcame a first-quarter interception to connect on three touchdown passes. He's now expected to have little to no trouble leading Klint Kubiak's offense against a Saints defense that is allowing 340.5 average total yards per game this season. And if star tight end Brock Bowers makes his season debut, Cousins will have another teammate to target as he continues spreading passes around the receiving corps. The veteran play-caller remains a solid streaming option for Vegas' Week 3 road battle.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kirk Cousins is an Intriguing Add Ahead of Week 3
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins has played above expectations through the first two weeks of the season. The 38-year-old has thrown for over 400 yards and has six touchdowns in two games. He has helped the Raiders get to a 2-0 record as they head into a Week 3 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Cousins won't be the long-term solution in Las Vegas, but the Raiders are going to ride with him for now. With that being said, fantasy managers looking for a viable streaming option should consider picking up Cousins. He has been playing well enough to be trusted as a starting option against the Saints defense in Week 3.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Kirk Cousins Has Uphill Battle But Deep-League Potential vs. Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins will be challenged to keep the winning momentum going as he faces a sturdy Los Angeles Chargers defense in Week 2. The veteran play caller was solid in his debut with the Silver and Black, completing 21 of 30 passes for 160 yards with three touchdowns in a 27-13 win against the Miami Dolphins, though he also threw two interceptions. The Chargers allowed 277 passing yards in a Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, but ranked fifth in the league in 2025 with just 179.9 passing yards allowed per game. Cousins got away with making a lot of short passes to running back Ashton Jeanty against Miami, but will need to utilize Vegas' young receiving corps to succeed on the road against the Bolts. The four-time Pro Bowl selection remains too risky to start in standard redraft leagues but has deep-league fantasy potential, and a strong performance against a good Chargers defense could raise his value.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kirk Cousins Gets Season Off To Solid Start With Three TDs
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 21-of-30 passes for 160 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in the team's Week 1 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Cousins did not light up the scoreboard with his passing yardage but he did find Jack Bech on a touchdown pass and found Ashton Jeanty on two touchdown strikes. The two interceptions are worrisome for fantasy managers as you never like to see that from your quarterback. Cousins should continue to get better as the season progresses and the team welcomes back tight end Brock Bowers to the lineup. He will have to continue to hold off backup Fernando Mendoza as the season progresses, but he could nonetheless be a help to fantasy teams early in the season.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Kirk Cousins Throws Three TDs, Two Picks in Raiders Debut
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 21 of 30 passes for 160 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in his first start for the team, which ended in a 27-13 victory against the visiting Miami Dolphins. The 38-year-old signal-caller got the Silver and Black off to a 7-0 lead on a short pass to Jack Bech with 1:44 left in the first quarter, and the Raiders remained ahead on the scoreboard for the duration of the game. Cousins was missing top target Brock Bowers (knee) on Sunday and didn't have much success connecting with Las Vegas' receiving corps outside of Bech, opting to connect with running back Ashton Jeanty for two short passes for touchdowns. The four-time Pro Bowl selection showed he has value in deep fantasy leagues, but he doesn't produce enough to be an effective starter in shallow redraft formats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kirk Cousins has Superflex Appeal in Week 1
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins is ready to make his team debut against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. The veteran quarterback will have a tough task ahead of him this weekend. The Raiders' top target, tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is ruled out for this game, which is bad news for this offense. Now, Cousins will need to rely on newcomer wide receiver Jalen Nailor, Tre Tucker, and backup tight end Michael Mayer as his primary targets. The 38-year-old can handle himself under center, but he can only do so much with the options that he has alongside him. Fantasy managers in one-quarterback leagues can avoid Cousins, but the veteran single-caller could be an option in superflex formats.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Fernando Mendoza Confirmed as Raiders' QB2
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza will officially back up Kirk Cousins in Sunday's opener against Miami, head coach Klint Kubiak confirmed Friday, according to Sam Gordon. The Raiders' depth chart had already pointed in that direction, listing Mendoza second and Aidan O'Connell third, but Kubiak had stopped short of confirming the order earlier this week. Now there is no question who gets the call if Cousins has to leave the game. Mendoza had an uneven preseason, completing 25 of 45 passes for 240 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions across three appearances. That was enough for the No. 1 overall pick to secure the backup spot while Las Vegas continues bringing him along behind its veteran starter. Nothing changes for Mendoza in standard redraft leagues, where he belongs on the waiver wire for now. He is much more interesting in dynasty and deeper Superflex formats, particularly with a clear path to the field if Cousins struggles or misses time.
Source: Sam Gordon
Source: Sam Gordon
Kirk Cousins Worth a Look in Two-Quarterback Leagues
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins is only 4% rostered on Yahoo, which is awfully low for a quarterback who will open the season with a starting job. The Raiders made it official last week, choosing Cousins over rookie Fernando Mendoza. Cousins also played well enough in the preseason, completing 13 of 17 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown in two appearances. There is not much rushing help coming here, and his 2025 numbers were fairly modest. Cousins threw for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games with Atlanta. He also might have to open the year without his best target, with Brock Bowers expected to miss Sunday's game against Miami following knee surgery. RotoBaller has Cousins at QB27 for Week 1. That keeps him out of the streaming mix in most one-quarterback leagues. Superflex and two-quarterback are different. Cousins has a starting job right now, and at 4% rostered, that alone makes him worth picking up in those formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
