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2026 Fantasy Football Player Profile
2025 Season Recap
Fernando Mendoza dominated college football in 2025. He won the Heisman Trophy and the National Championship at Indiana, throwing for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdown passes against just 6 interceptions. He added 7 rushing scores and led an unbeaten Hoosiers team through the entire season. His poise, arm talent, and big-game performances made him the obvious first overall pick.
2026 Fantasy Outlook
The Raiders took Mendoza first overall and he is the most exciting long-term dynasty asset at quarterback in this entire draft pool. In redraft, though, you are mostly waiting. Kirk Cousins is expected to start initially, but reports out of Vegas OTAs suggest Mendoza is pushing quickly and the transition to the field could happen sooner than the organization originally planned. Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty are great weapons for a young quarterback to grow with. When he does start, he has the tools to be a functional QB3 with upside in good matchups. In dynasty, he is a must-own. In redraft, grab him late and cross your fingers the timeline moves up.
