Here's why drafting Fernando Mendoza in 2026 fantasy football leagues is a mistake
The Las Vegas Raiders did not shock the world Thursday. In a move considered the chalkiest of chalk picks in recent years (decades?), they selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Easiest LinkedIn page update ever for the recent grad....
As predictable as this move was, the fantasy football value of the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and the leader of the National Championship-winning Hoosiers is murkier.
Keep reading to determine whether it's worth selecting Mendoza in your 2026 fantasy league.
When will Fernando Mendoza start at QB for the Raiders?
Las Vegas signed a Mendoza clone in veteran Kirk Cousins, which should allow them to bring along Mendoza slowly until he convinces minority owner and GOAT QB Tom Brady and the rest of the Vegas brass that he's worth taking the field.
Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza are set to become the first father/son duo in NFL history pic.twitter.com/n6UQ5GFFPH
— NFL Memes (@NFLMemes) April 3, 2026
While NFL news for schedules for the 2026-27 season have yet to be released, always look toward bye weeks for potential rookie ascensions and quarterback switches.
Playing in an offense guided by last year's Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator and new Raiders head coach, Klint Kubiak, could play to Mendoza's rushing strengths. Working off West Coast principles with a lean on play-action passes that helped Sam Darnold (and even Geno Smith, to some degree) should bring Mendoza along with a helpful pass-catching crew headlined by Brock Bowers and RB Ashton Jeanty.
Related: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Cory Bonini Predicts Round 1
Fernando Mendoza shouldn't be drafted in most fantasy leagues
Given that standard fantasy football leagues only require players to start one quarterback, drafters should not force the issue to take the hyped rookie.
Most fantasy rankings for 2026 leagues easily slot in at least 20 quarterbacks before Mendoza. Most fantasy leagues top out at 12 quarterbacks.
Related: Fernando Mendoza is overrated
Even if selecting a backup is a common practice, tucking Mendoza away likely won't pay off. You should instead target backup names like Malik Willis, Cam Ward, and Sam Darnold out of the gate if you feel you must have a second quarterback. (You really shouldn't in most one-QB leagues.)
Fernando Mendoza could be a sneaky late-round value pick in superflex leagues
Mendoza's appeal becomes more intriguing in superflex and two-quarterbacks, when filling that second QB spot or assigned SF position needs a high floor.
Mendoza's rushing ability alone could help him jump in as a weekly SF starter, as compiling the extra ground stats could enhance his scoring floor to a top-20 QB foundation.
Drafting Mendoza and Kirk Cousins -- if your roster bench space allows it -- could become an underrated handcuff arrangement to secure one of the league's 32 QB pictures to yourself.
Dynasty fantasy players should be more optimistic about picking Fernando Mendoza
Turning 23 in October, Mendoza is a much stronger top-20 name in keeper and dynasty leagues. His long-term pairing with Bowers, Jeanty, and whoever else joins the pass-catching party could produce a top offense under Kubiak (and with Brady's ear and guidance not far away).
How does Mendoza affect Brock Bowers' fantasy value?
It doesn't move the need much beyond the already justified hype for Bowers, who even after an injury-riddled down year in 2025 has averaged 88 receptions across his two NFL seasons.
He still holds a strong spot in Tier 1 among fantasy tight ends, behind Trey McBride but alongside or ahead of Colston Loveland, per early FantasyPros consensus rankings.
Related: 2026 NFL Mock Draft 2026: Round 1 Predictions and Analysis From Drew Phelps
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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 9:19 PM.