Kirk Cousins starting Week 1 has always been the expectation, as the Raiders have been open about not wanting to rush Fernando Mendoza into action. Cousins ranked 20th in True Passer Rating in 2025, showing that, while not the QB he once was, he still has enough in the tank to be a capable bridge to the Mendoza era.

Cousins is currently ranked as QB36 on PlayerProfiler’s 2026 Redraft Rankings. While Cousins will begin the year as the starter, he will be hard to trust as a fantasy option due to the lack of proven capable pass catchers beyond all-world TE Brock Bowers. He is best left undrafted in 1QB leagues, but can be drafted in superflex leagues as a bye week or injury fill-in starter.