Fernando Mendoza Fantasy outlook, stats and Week 4 start/sit for 2026
- Age
- 23
- Height / weight
- 6'5", 225 lb
- Experience
- Rookie
2026 Season
- PPR PPG
- —
- Pos rank
- —
- Rostered
- 14%
Week 4 vs. Chiefs, Sun Oct 4, 4:25 PM ET 32nd vs. QBs, tough
Fernando Mendoza's 2026 Season, Week by Week
The next four matchups include one of the league's softest pass defenses.
- Week 1, Win,vs MIA,—,Did not play
- Week 2, Win,at LAC,—,Did not play
- Week 3, Win,at NO,—,Did not play
- Up next. Week 4, Oct 4,vs KC,ToughChiefs vs. QBs
- Week 5, Oct 11,at NE,ToughPatriots vs. QBs
- Week 6, Oct 18,vs BUF,FavorableBills vs. QBs
- Week 7, Oct 25,vs LAR,NeutralRams vs. QBs
Matchup rank is PPR points allowed to QBs through Week 4. 1st allows the most, 32nd the fewest.
Should You Start or Roster Fernando Mendoza?
The 2026 first overall pick and reigning Heisman winner lands in Las Vegas with real pedigree after a 16-0 national title run and a 72% completion year worth 41 touchdowns. The catch for fantasy managers is timing: Kirk Cousins is penciled in to open the season, so Mendoza projects as a redshirt-then-takeover arm rather than a Week 1 plug-and-play. That holds his ECR near QB29 (167 overall) and stamps him a late-round dart in single-QB formats, with far more juice in superflex and dynasty rookie pools.
The supporting cast is a mixed bag. Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty give him two genuine difference-makers, and a Tyler Linderbaum-anchored line plus Klint Kubiak's scheme help, but the receiver room of Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor and Jack Bech is thin. Modeled output lands around 2,844 yards, 16.6 scores and 232 rushing yards for roughly 193 fantasy points. Stash him, start him later.
Rest-of-Season Outlook and Availability
Outlook
The supporting cast is a mixed bag. Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty give him two genuine difference-makers, and a Tyler Linderbaum-anchored line plus Klint Kubiak's scheme help, but the receiver room of Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor and Jack Bech is thin. Modeled output lands around 2,844 yards, 16. Next on the depth chart after him: Aidan O'Connell. Full outlook
Injury status
Active, no designation
Fernando Mendoza Fantasy Football FAQ
Should I start Fernando Mendoza in Week 4?
Fernando Mendoza plays Week 4 against the Chiefs. The Chiefs rank 32nd in PPR points allowed to QBs, a tough matchup. Get the start/sit call for Mendoza.
What are Fernando Mendoza's upcoming fantasy football matchups?
Fernando Mendoza's next three games are Week 4 vs. the Chiefs (32nd in PPR points allowed to QBs, tough), Week 5 at the Patriots (29th in PPR points allowed to QBs, tough) and Week 6 vs. the Bills (10th in PPR points allowed to QBs, favorable). One of them is favorable by points allowed to the position.
Preseason Projection vs. Reality
Our 2026 Preseason Outlook
The 2026 first overall pick and reigning Heisman winner lands in Las Vegas with real pedigree after a 16-0 national title run and a 72% completion year worth 41 touchdowns. The catch for fantasy managers is timing: Kirk Cousins is penciled in to open the season, so Mendoza projects as a redshirt-then-takeover arm rather than a Week 1 plug-and-play. That holds his ECR near QB29 (167 overall) and stamps him a late-round dart in single-QB formats, with far more juice in superflex and dynasty rookie pools.
The supporting cast is a mixed bag. Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty give him two genuine difference-makers, and a Tyler Linderbaum-anchored line plus Klint Kubiak's scheme help, but the receiver room of Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor and Jack Bech is thin. Modeled output lands around 2,844 yards, 16.6 scores and 232 rushing yards for roughly 193 fantasy points. Stash him, start him later.
What Could Change His Value
The specific things that would move him up or down from here.
Upside
- A soft spotThe Bills in Week 6 is a top-10 matchup for QBs.Wk 4 KC, 32ndWk 5 NE, 29thWk 6 BUF, 10thWk 7 LAR, 21st
Risk
- RoleHe's QB2 on the depth chart.
- Tough matchupsThe Chiefs in Week 4 (32nd) and the Patriots in Week 5 (29th) are among the stingiest defenses against QBs.
Fernando Mendoza Fantasy Outlook FAQ
What is Fernando Mendoza's projected role going forward?
Fernando Mendoza is QB2 on the depth chart, so a bigger role needs an injury or a change ahead of him.
What is Fernando Mendoza's fantasy football upside?
Fernando Mendoza's upside: the Bills in Week 6 is a top-10 matchup for QBs.
What could hurt Fernando Mendoza's fantasy value?
Fernando Mendoza's risks: the Chiefs in Week 4 and the Patriots in Week 5 are tough matchups. See his injury status and history.
How difficult is Fernando Mendoza's remaining fantasy schedule?
Difficult: of his next seven games, 1 comes against a top-10 matchup for QBs and 5 against one of the stingiest defenses, by PPR points allowed to the position.
Latest Fernando Mendoza News & Updates
Latest Story
Every update on Mendoza with what it means for your fantasy team. Last update .
Still in QB competition (opens in new tab)
Remains in the mix for the starting quarterback job.
Fantasy take: A depth-chart change: his role drives his value, and the Outlook tab has the full picture.
Season Timeline
Every update this season, grouped by week, newest first.
Week 3Sep 27W 35–27 @ NO
Game recap coming soon
Week 2Sep 20W 26–14 @ LAC
Game recap coming soon
Week 1Sep 13W 27–13 vs MIA
Game recap coming soon
PreseasonAugust
Fantasy impact: Neutral. Kubiak declines to name Week 1 starter (opens in new tab)
Remains in QB competition after coach stays mum on Week 1 starter.
Fantasy take: A depth-chart change: his role drives his value, and the Outlook tab has the full picture.
Read full report (opens in new tab)Fantasy impact: Neutral. Tosses pick-six in first start (opens in new tab)
Threw a pick-six in his first career start, a rough debut moment.
Fantasy take: Context for his season; the Outlook tab has our rest-of-season view.
Read full report (opens in new tab)Fantasy impact: Neutral. In line to see first-half action Thursday (opens in new tab)
Will play in the first half Thursday.
Fantasy take: A preseason health note; his Week 1 availability is what matters for fantasy.
Read full report (opens in new tab)
No updates of this type yet this season.
Around the Raiders
Team reporting from raiders.com, Dynasty Command.
Fernando Mendoza News FAQ
What is the latest news on Fernando Mendoza?
The latest Mendoza update, from August 27: Still in QB competition. Remains in the mix for the starting quarterback job.
How does the latest Fernando Mendoza news affect his fantasy value?
Not much: A depth-chart change: his role drives his value, and the Outlook tab has the full picture. See the updated fantasy outlook.
Has Fernando Mendoza's role changed?
The latest depth-chart news on Mendoza: Still in QB competition (August 27). Remains in the mix for the starting quarterback job.
Fernando Mendoza Bio
Fernando Mendoza is a quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders, where he wears No. 15. Born October 1, 2003, in Boston, MA, he attended Christopher Columbus and played college football at California and then Indiana.
The Las Vegas Raiders selected Mendoza in round 1, pick 1, of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Career Timeline
1 stop with 1 team in 1 season. Each block's width is the time he spent there.
What happened at each stop
Las Vegas Raiders Current team2026–present
Selected in round 1, pick 1, of the 2026 NFL Draft. Listed on the 2026 roster; no regular-season stats recorded.
College: California, Indiana
Transactions
- SignedSigned with the Las Vegas Raiders.
- DraftedSelected by the Las Vegas Raiders in round 1, pick 1.
About Fernando Mendoza: Bio FAQ
How old is Fernando Mendoza?
Fernando Mendoza is 23 years old. He was born on October 1, 2003. 2026 is his 1st NFL season.
How tall is Fernando Mendoza?
Fernando Mendoza is 6 feet 5 inches tall (6'5"), listed at 225 pounds, and plays quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders.
How much does Fernando Mendoza weigh?
Fernando Mendoza weighs 225 pounds, his listed weight on the Las Vegas Raiders roster. He is listed at 6'5".
What number does Fernando Mendoza wear?
Fernando Mendoza wears number 15 for the Las Vegas Raiders. He plays quarterback.
What position does Fernando Mendoza play?
Fernando Mendoza plays quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders, wearing number 15. 2026 is his 1st season in the NFL.
What team does Fernando Mendoza play for?
Fernando Mendoza plays for the Las Vegas Raiders as a quarterback. He has been with the Raiders since 2026.
Where did Fernando Mendoza go to college?
Fernando Mendoza played college football at Indiana, after attending Christopher Columbus (FL).
Where is Fernando Mendoza from?
Fernando Mendoza went to high school in Florida, at Christopher Columbus, before playing college football at Indiana.
When is Fernando Mendoza's birthday?
Fernando Mendoza's birthday is October 1. He was born on October 1, 2003 and is 23 years old.
How long has Fernando Mendoza been in the NFL?
Fernando Mendoza is an NFL rookie in 2026. View his career statistics.
What teams has Fernando Mendoza played for?
Fernando Mendoza has played for the Las Vegas Raiders. View his career statistics.
What year did Fernando Mendoza enter the NFL?
Fernando Mendoza entered the NFL in 2026. 2026 is his 1st season.