No. 1 pick Mendoza signed, but Kirk Cousins may start Week 1 under Kubiak.
The 2026 No. 1 overall pick signed a four-year rookie contract worth $57.27M fully guaranteed with the Las Vegas Raiders. Reigning national champion and Heisman Trophy winner with an FBS-leading 41 touchdowns in 2025; third QB in the Super Bowl era to win both the Heisman and a national title before being drafted No. 1 overall, following Cam Newton (2011) and Joe Burrow (2020). Unlike recent No. 1 overall selections such as Cam Ward and Caleb Williams, Mendoza is not guaranteed to start Week 1; veteran Kirk Cousins could be the team's QB1 early on as head coach Klint Kubiak has stated a preference to start a veteran if the situation is suitable. This marks a potential first since 2022 where a rookie QB doesn't start in Week 1. However, the source affirms Mendoza is unquestionably the future of the Raiders organization, bringing a winning pedigree to turn around a team that finished 3-14.
View Fernando Mendoza 2026 fantasy football value pagePlayer profile with fantasy value, ADP, projections, news, and source-backed STACKED insightsIndiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is officially a member of the Las Vegas Raiders after signing his four-year rookie contract on Thursday... Unlike recent No. 1 overall selections -- the Tennessee Titans' Cam Ward, the Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams, etc. -- Mendoza isn't guaranteed to begin the Raiders' 2026 campaign as the starter. Veteran Kirk Cousins could well be the team's QB1 early on as Kubiak has previously stated he would prefer to start a veteran out of the gates if the situation is suitable.
Fernando Mendoza fantasy football FAQ
- What did NFL.com News say about Fernando Mendoza?
- The 2026 No. 1 overall pick signed a four-year rookie contract worth $57.27M fully guaranteed with the Las Vegas Raiders. Reigning national champion and Heisman Trophy winner with an FBS-leading 41 touchdowns in 2025; third QB in the Super Bowl era to win both the Heisman and a national title before being drafted No. 1 overall, following Cam Newton (2011) and Joe Burrow (2020). Unlike recent No. 1 overall selections such as Cam Ward and Caleb Williams, Mendoza is not guaranteed to start Week 1; veteran Kirk Cousins could be the team's QB1 early on as head coach Klint Kubiak has stated a preference to start a veteran if the situation is suitable. This marks a potential first since 2022 where a rookie QB doesn't start in Week 1. However, the source affirms Mendoza is unquestionably the future of the Raiders organization, bringing a winning pedigree to turn around a team that finished 3-14.
- Is this good or bad for Fernando Mendoza's fantasy football value?
- STACKED tags this as a positive fantasy football signal for Fernando Mendoza (LV). No. 1 pick Mendoza signed, but Kirk Cousins may start Week 1 under Kubiak.
- Where can I see Fernando Mendoza's full 2026 fantasy outlook, projections, and ADP?
- Fernando Mendoza's complete 2026 fantasy football outlook — projections, ADP movement across every platform, injury context, and all source-backed STACKED insights — is on their STACKED player profile.