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NFL: The Insiders fantasy football takes on Fernando Mendoza
Every source-backed podcast insight STACKED has extracted from NFL: The Insiders about Fernando Mendoza.
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All NFL: The Insiders insights about Fernando Mendoza
PositiveRoleJul 21, 2026
Mendoza, the Raiders' top draft pick, is expected to eventually become the starter despite Kirk Cousins being named the current starter. Mark Ross argues Mendoza 'has to be the guy' and that Clint Kubiak took the Raiders job specifically for Mendoza, not Cousins. Mendoza had significant college success and playing time, and recent rookie QB trends (Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, Drake May) show year-two success after year-one struggles.NegativeRoleJul 9, 2026
Mendoza will report to Raiders training camp on July 23rd (earlier than the rest of the roster on July 28th) and is learning from Kirk Cousins in the quarterback room. Cousins' preparation methods—staying after hours until 7 p.m. studying, meticulous note-taking, and information processing—are serving as a model for Mendoza's own development process.PositiveProjectionJul 9, 2026
The source expresses high confidence in Mendoza's rookie and long-term NFL career prospects, citing his willingness to learn from elite coaching staff (Clint Kubiak, Andrew Ginoco, Mike Sullivan) and his detailed, methodical approach to setting and exceeding performance milestones. The source does not expect him to start week one—Kirk Cousins is projected as the starter—but expects Mendoza to be ready and play well when he enters the game.PositiveRoleJun 23, 2026
Mendoza has impressed during offseason programs and is being positioned as a day-one starter candidate for the Raiders. Mark Ross argues that Kubiak took the Raiders job specifically to work with Mendoza and that recent rookie QB development trends (Caleb Williams, Jaden Daniels, Drake May, Bo Nix, Cam Ward, Jackson Dart, Tyler Shook all playing immediately) support getting him on the field early despite Kubiak's stated preference not to start a rookie. Mendoza is learning to operate under center and consulting with Tom Brady on leadership and preparation.