Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza No. 5 in NFL.com’s preseason OROY rankings

[ASFN Admin]

Kirk Cousins appears to be the Las Vegas Raiders’ incumbent starting quarterback for next season after being named the starter in training camp. However, Fernando Mendoza may still see the field in 2026 and make his case to be next season’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.

NFL.com’s Dan Parr listed his top 11 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Candidates and Raiders top pick QB Fernando Mendoza came in at number five.

“Since 2000, three quarterbacks have won OROY without starting in Week 1 -- Herbert (2020), Vince Young (2006) and Ben Roethlisberger (2004) -- but each made his first career start within the first four weeks of the season. …I'm placing Mendoza smack dab in the middle of my list because there's a chance he finds his way into the lineup earlier than expected. If he does that and plays reasonably well, the Heisman winner might end up adding to his trophy case by season's end.”

Mendoza carries over an uber-efficient season at Indiana in 2025 as the Heisman Trophy winner into the NFL. The Raiders have a rookie quarterback who appears to be capable of throwing for well over 3,500 yards with a high completion rate out of the gates in Las Vegas next season in 17 games played.

He has worked diligently on transitioning to playing under center this offseason. He has said he has a long way to go before he's ready and quick study would be required for him to convince head coach Klint Kubiak to give him a shot to start early into next season.

This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza No. 5 in NFL.com’s preseason OROY rankings

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