Fernando Mendoza

Kirk Cousins is dominating first-team repetitions this offseason, consolidating his grip on the starting job despite posting just 9.9 Fantasy Points Per Game in 2025. This deployment provides critical development runway for rookie Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick who registered a elite 90.3 College QBR at Indiana.

Unless the landscape shifts when full training camp launches, expect Cousins to operate under center for Week 1 while the high-pedigree rookie watches and learns. Cousins is an early-season option in deep superflex leagues.

Edwards identified Malik Benson as one of the biggest standouts of the Raiders’ offseason program, noting that the rookie WR connected with multiple quarterbacks on deep passes during practices open to the media. Benson enters training camp in what Ryan McFadden of ESPN reports to be an open competition at wide receiver, and his speed and ability to stretch the field could help him carve out a role if he builds on that momentum.

Benson’s agent helped to propel his NFL career by signing with Las Vegas, who features the most talent-deficient WR room in the NFL. Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton represent Benson’s main competition for snaps in 2026. Though undrafted, Benson has launched himself into 4th round consideration in fantasy football dynasty rookie drafts.

Brock Bowers suffered through a Week 1 PCL sprain and bone bruise, yet he still managed 14.7 Fantasy Points Per Game, ranking No. 2 at the position.

Now fully healthy, he returns to Klint Kubiak’s offense that helped him post an impressive 23.6-percent Target Share and 22.2-percent Target Rate despite his health-compromised 2025 season. Raiders team reporter Levi Edwards also reported, “it seems the Raiders’ coaching staff will give TE Brock Bowers every opportunity to replicate his historic rookie campaign.”

The talent profile is undeniable, making him a prime candidate to recapture the overall TE1 crown this year. At just 23-years old, Bowers is an absolute smash in the first round in all fantasy football formats based on position scarcity, especially dynasty leagues.

The Las Vegas Raiders are going through all the right motions giving 37-year-old veteran Kirk Cousins the vast majority of first-team reps in practice, leaning into his experience despite the presence of a true franchise quarterback directly behind him. On paper, it makes sense to have the No. 1 overall pick and reigning Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza—who enters the league boasting an elite 90.3 College QBR and a 94th-percentile 9.3 College Yards Per Attempt—initially sit and cook with the rookies and third-teamers.

The brain trust of Klint Kubiak, John Spytek, and Tom Brady are unified in letting the elite rookie prospect marinate. Once the bullets start flying and Mendoza outperforms Cousins routinely in practice, he will be thrust into the starting lineup at least by the Raiders’ Week 13 bye week, though likely much sooner. The smart money is on Mendoza starting games sooner rather than later.

After waiting until the sixth round to draft a receiver, the Raiders’ starting lineup is likely set with Jalen Nailor, Tre Tucker, and Jack Bech. Nailor is poised to be the featured target in this group and carries legitimate fantasy WR4 potential for the upcoming fantasy season.

Despite this upside, he remains an undervalued late-round option typically drafted outside the top 150 picks. Permission to get excited about Nailor as a late-round spike week flier in both best ball and dynasty formats.