The Las Vegas Raiders drafted their potential franchise quarterback in Fernando Mendoza with the first overall selection during the 2026 NFL draft. Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman, National Champion, Big Ten Offensive Player & Newcomer of the Year, and Consensus All-American logged 41 passing touchdowns, 6 interceptions, a 72% completion rate, and 3535 yards through 16 games. The Raiders are not putting all of their eggs in the Mendoza basket to start the season, as they also signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a 1 year contract and the impression is that Cousins will start the season under center for the Raiders.
Cousins, who turns 38 next month, spent the last two seasons with the Falcons in a backup QB role, but also started 24 games due to injuries to Michael Penix, and the starting role Atlanta handed him. Cousins had a 65% completion rate, 5229 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions across his time in Atlanta but he also saw a lower rate of turnover worthy plays than interceptions, signaling some interceptions may not be his fault. Cousins should start for the Raiders, but there’s a good shot that Mendoza will also see a fair share of snaps this season as the Raiders starter in his rookie season.
Week 7 vs Rams
- Ideally I imagine the Raiders want to have Mendoza’s first start come at home, which a week 7 slot would align with. The Rams are not an ideal team to have your first start against, the defense ranked top 10 last year, and added future hall of famer Myles Garrett, along with top defensive backs Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Chris Shula and Sean McVay have made careers of aggressive, fast paced, complex defensive systems and Shula has had his number vs young quarterbacks as well. Week 7 is likely a bit early, and being thrown into the fire against the Rams is not an easy task, but Las Vegas takes a road trip for two weeks after the Rams and if they want an early look at Mendoza, week 7 lines up best.
Week 8 at Jets
- Similar to that of the Rams in week 7, if the Raiders want an early look at Mendoza a week 8 matchup with the Jets signals to be a strong time period. As mentioned above, they may want to have Mendoza’s first start at home, and a road trip out East to New York isn’t the ideal case. Aaron Glenn has succeeded vs young quarterbacks, but Aaron Glenn has also seen his defense struggle in his brief stint as a head coach. That defense did turn around and add standouts David Onyemata, David Bailey, Joseph Ossai and T’Vondre Sweat to the defensive line with DeMario Davis at linebacker, and Dane Belton, Nahshon Wright, D’Angelo Ponds, and Minkah Fitzpatrick in the secondary. Starting Mendoza out vs New York likely gives an easier initial start than the Rams, but it’s still a road trip.
Week 10: vs Seattle...
Silver And Black Pride
