Las Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza→ his ranking

After two solid seasons at California, totaling 4,712 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions, Mendoza transferred to Indiana and delivered one of the most memorable seasons in recent college football history. He guided the Hoosiers to a National Championship on the back of a perfect 16-0 record in 2025, completing 72.0% of his passes (379 attempts) for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. Mendoza also showed a willingness to use his legs, carrying 90 times for 276 yards and seven scores, though he averaged just 3.1 yards per carry. His performance earned him several prestigious honors, including the Heisman Trophy.

His championship was a landmark achievement for Indiana as a program. Before head coach Curt Cignetti arrived in 2024, the Hoosiers had never won 10 games in a single season across their previous 125 years of football. Cignetti has since gone 27-2 at the helm.

At the next level, Mendoza projects as a pocket passer with limited mobility, though he won't hesitate to take off when a running lane opens up. He's a diligent film studier with a solid ability to diagnose defensive looks pre-snap. His best traits show up in his release. Mendoza gets the ball out quickly and on schedule, and he's a reliable red zone passer who can finish drives through the air.

At 6'5" and 235 pounds, Mendoza has the ideal NFL frame for his position. His concerns center on the supporting cast he benefited from in college; a weaker offensive line and less dependable receiving options could limit his production, and his arm loses some effectiveness when he's pressured.

The Raiders selected their new franchise quarterback first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, with only one other potentially helpful player added in the draft (C Trey Zuhn – 3.27). Las Vegas signed C Tyler Linderbaum to a three-year deal for $81 million in the offseason. They lost LT Kolten Miller four games into last season due to a knee injury.

In the early draft season in the National Fantasy Football Championship, Mendoza ranks 29th due to the cloudiness of Kirk Cousins potentially starting in Week 1. He should be treated as an upside game manager whose fantasy value will be a work in progress. The Raiders should have him behind center in Week 1 against the Dolphins. Possible 4,000 combined yards with league-average production in touchdowns.

Kirk Cousins→ his ranking

Cousins had a statistically busy 2022, setting career highs in completions (424) and attempts (643) while posting 4,547 passing yards, his second-best total. Pressure was a factor, as 46 sacks helped drag his yards per attempt down to 7.1. He started slowly through the first half of the season but caught fire in the second half, putting up four standout performances of 298, 425, 460, and 301 passing yards. He finished 6th in quarterback scoring at 354.95 points.

Over his time in Minnesota, Cousins went 50-37-1 with a 67.9% completion rate and averaged 32 touchdowns per season across his first five years with the team. His 2023 campaign was cut short after eight games due to an Achilles injury, but he was playing well before going down, opening with three strong outings and staying productive even after losing Justin Jefferson to injury. At his pace, he was on track for nearly 5,000 yards and 38 touchdowns.

He signed a four-year deal with Atlanta in March 2024, followed by the Falcons also drafting Michael Penix in the first round. Cousins started the year reasonably well, throwing for 2,328 yards and 17 touchdowns through nine games, including two explosive performances against Tampa Bay (509 and 292 yards, four touchdowns each). However, he collapsed down the stretch, managing just 1,180 yards, one touchdown, and nine interceptions over his final five games before losing his starting spot.

Last year, Atlanta gave Cousins eight starts, leading to a sharp decline in his completion rate (61.7%) with a 5-3 record, 10 passing touchdowns, and five interceptions. He passed for fewer than 200 yards in seven matchups while delivering one impact game (373/3).

Ashton Jeanty→ his ranking

Jeanty began his college career at Boise State as a change-of-pace back, seeing limited action as a freshman with just two starts across 14 games. He still made an impact, racking up 976 combined yards, seven touchdowns, and 14 receptions. His role and production grew steadily over the next two seasons, peaking in 2024 with a dominant workload of 397 touches.

His junior season was historic. Jeanty led the nation in carries (374) and rushing yards (2,601) while scoring 29 rushing touchdowns, finishing just behind Bryson Daily's 32 scores. He averaged an eye-catching 7.0 yards per carry and topped 100 rushing yards in every game, reaching the 200 combined-yard mark seven times. The year prior, he was more of a dual threat, hauling in 43 catches for 569 yards and five scores, averaging 13.2 yards per reception.

As a runner, Jeanty is a nightmare to bring down in space. He has a rare combination of balance, leverage, and body control that allows him to shed contact at the line and keep his legs churning through traffic. His vision is arguably his best trait. He consistently identifies and exploits creases that others miss, then has the acceleration and burst to turn those openings into big gains.

His low, compact running style makes him effective near the goal line, and he's a savvy runner who sets up defenders with tempo changes before uncorking a quick lateral move to create separation. He's equally comfortable running through contact or spinning away from it, making him a threat to break a long run on any given carry.

Daylight at the second level of defenses was rarely present in Jeanty’s rookie season, highlighted by him gaining only 3.7 yards per rush and 6.3 yards per catch. Over his 321 touches, only six of his touches gained at least 20 yards, with two reaching the 40-yard mark. His volume opportunity led to him finishing 11th in PPR fantasy points (246.10) for running backs, with 41.1% of his stats coming in three contests (34.50, 24.80, and 31.80). On his off days, Jeanty scored fewer than 10.00 fantasy points in seven matchups.

His college resume, paired with last year’s opportunity, paints an exciting player if everything aligns in 2026. Next step: 1,800 combined yards with 12+ scores and a floor of 60 catches, which supports his early price point.

Mike Washington Jr.→ his ranking

Washington spent his first four college seasons at Buffalo and New Mexico State with modest results, averaging just 4.4 yards per carry on 420 attempts for 1,844 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was largely a non-factor in the passing game as well, catching 45 balls for 244 yards and two scores at only 5.4 yards per reception. A transfer to Arkansas revitalized his college career. He ran for 1,070 yards and nine touchdowns on 167 carries at 6.4 yards per carry, while adding 28 catches for 226 yards and a score.

Washington enters the NFL Draft with an intriguing physical profile, combining a 6'1", 225-pound frame with 4.33 speed. At this stage, he plays more like a finesse back than a power runner, leaning on his quickness rather than his size. Some areas need development. His vision and reads in tight spaces remain a work in progress, and his change-of-direction footwork off the snap can be exploited by defenses looking to disrupt him at the line. He'll also need to clean up some ball security issues and become a more reliable pass protector, particularly given his physical tools.

His upside is real. When given room to operate, Washington is dangerous when reaching the second level, where his speed allows him to run away from defenders. He also profiles as a receiving threat out of the backfield, adding versatility to his game. Embracing a more physical running style will be the key to unlocking his ceiling at the next level.

Roman Hemdy

Hemby capped his college career as a fifth-year senior playing a key role in Indiana's National Championship run, carrying the ball 247 times across 16 games while finishing with 1,285 combined yards, seven touchdowns, and 17 receptions. His yards per carry (4.9) were consistent throughout his career, but never quite reached the difference-making threshold you'd hope to see at the college level. He was a reliable receiver out of the backfield across three seasons, posting catch totals of 33, 38, and 40 with an 8.4 yards-per-catch average that showed a knack for creating after the catch.

The concerns with Hemby center on his processing. He struggles to pick up blitzers in pass protection and can be late to identify developing running lanes, both of which will need to be sharpened at the next level. He's also undersized for his style — at 6'0" and 205 pounds, he runs like a bigger back than he is, with a physical, downhill approach that attacks north and south. That aggression works in his favor when he reaches his lane with quickness and power, and he has enough lateral agility to make a decisive cut toward daylight when it presents itself.

What Hemby does well is take what the defense gives him. He's a natural chain-mover who breaks arm tackles, works through contact, and has the footwork to make defenders miss at the second level. His receiving ability adds another dimension. In the right offensive system at the NFL level, Hemby has the tools to outplay what his college numbers suggest.

Tre Tucker→ his ranking

Selected in the 2023 NFL Draft as an attempt to find a Tyreek Hill-type playmaker, Tucker entered the league with legitimate speed (4.40) and quickness in a 5'9", 180-pound frame. His footwork gives him the ability to win off the line even against press coverage, and he's at his best when getting the ball quickly in short areas where Tucker can create yards after the catch. He can also threaten defenses vertically, but tight coverage exposes some inconsistency in his hands, while struggling in some contested catch situations.

Over four college seasons, Tucker caught 111 of 163 targets for 1,426 yards and eight touchdowns, with his best year coming in 2022 when he hauled in 52 catches for 672 yards and two scores on 80 targets.

His first NFL season with Las Vegas was modest (19 catches for 331 yards and two touchdowns on 34 targets), but he showed big-play ability, averaging 17.4 yards per reception.

Tucker took a step forward in 2024, posting 47 catches for 583 yards and three touchdowns on 81 targets, marked by inconsistent play. His two most productive outings came at home in Weeks 3 (7/98/1) and 12 (7/82), and he flashed his deep threat ability with a 58-yard touchdown catch against Kansas City in Week 13.

In his third season in the Raiders’ system, Tucker set career highs in catches (57), receiving yards (696), touchdowns (5), and targets (92) while adding 11 carries for 51 yards. He finished 38th in PPR scoring (161.70), with almost 25% of success coming in Week 3 (8/149/3). On the downside, Tucker scored fewer than 10.00 fantasy points in 10 of his final 11 starts, making him a challenging fantasy start.

Jalen Nailor→ his ranking

After a minimal role (12/208/1) over his first 21 games with the Vikings, Nailor emerged in 2024 as an injury cover for Jordan Addison in Week 3 (3/54/1) and Week 4 (3/31/1) on eight combined targets. His only two other playable games came in Week 7 (4/76) and Week 17 (5/81/1). Nailor was at his best at home (18/272/4 on 22 targets). The Vikings had him on the field for 52.6% of their plays. He gained 20 yards or more on 28.6% of his catches, while also surprising at times in scoring (six touchdowns).

A change in quarterback play last season and a poor offensive line led the Vikings’ offense to take a significant step backward. Nailor worked as Minnesota’s WR3, leading to 29 catches for 444 yards and four touchdowns on 53 targets. His only playable games came in Week 10 (5/124/1) and Week 15 (3/47/2).

Jack Bech→ his ranking

Bech burst onto the scene as a freshman at LSU with 43 catches for 489 yards and three touchdowns, but the following two seasons were largely lost to limited opportunities, first at LSU (16/200/1) and then at TCU after his transfer (12/146). He made the most of his senior season, earning 12 starts and posting career bests across the board with 62 catches, 1,034 yards, and nine touchdowns.

Texas Christian leaned on him as a deep threat, as his 16.7 yards-per-catch average reflects. He came out of the gate blazing in 2024, putting up four standout performances (6/139/1, 9/200/1, 6/166/2, and 10/131/2) in the first five weeks, but faded down the stretch with quieter numbers over his final seven games (27/387/2).

As a receiver, Bech wins with strength and reliable hands rather than athleticism. He's effective over the short and intermediate areas of the field, but needs to refine his release against physical corners, and his lack of top-end quickness and straight-line speed limits his ability to separate downfield.

At 6'1" and 215 pounds, he has good size, but his speed is estimated below the NFL average at around 4.55, a number worth monitoring given he skipped the 40 at the combine, potentially due to a late-season knee injury. After the catch, he's a determined runner with his eyes up, capable of making defenders miss and fighting through contact. He can also high-point the ball and adjust to off-target throws.

Bech has a Cooper Kupp-like feel to his game, a zone-buster who could outperform his draft position, but he lacks Kupp's refined route-running and doesn't carry the same college pedigree.

In his rookie season, Bech caught 20 of his 29 targets for 224 yards and no scores. His best game (6/50) came in Week 14. The Raiders had him on the field for 34.5% of their plays.

Dont’e Thornton→ his ranking

Across four college seasons split between Oregon and Tennessee, Thornton was never a high-volume receiver, finishing with just 65 catches for 1,426 yards and 10 touchdowns. But his efficiency in 2025 was eye-opening, averaging 25.4 yards per catch on 26 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns, doing most of his damage on just 34 targets and roughly two catches per game. At 6'5" and 205 pounds with 4.3 speed, he's a rare physical specimen.

Thornton is essentially a vertical threat at this stage of his development, a true field-stretcher who can take the top off a defense and use his size to win contested catches down the field. His limitations are real due to a narrow route tree, with limited experience, and Thornton hasn't yet shown the ability to consistently create separation across all areas of the field. The next step in his development is expanding his game beyond the deep ball and becoming a more complete receiver.

Even in his current form, Thornton is impossible to ignore on the field. In four-wide receiver sets, his combination of size and speed will demand attention from defensive coordinators, creating opportunities for his teammates whether or not the ball comes his way. His upside is significant if the route running catches up to the athleticism.

Brock Bowers→ his ranking

Bowers was a standout at Georgia across three seasons, catching 170 of 233 targets (73.0%) for 2,417 yards and 24 touchdowns, while also contributing as a runner with 18 carries for 188 yards and four scores. He hit the ground running as a true freshman with 56 catches for 938 yards and 14 touchdowns, a remarkable debut that set the tone for his college career.

A month-long absence due to an ankle injury slowed his 2023 campaign, but he was dominant in a three-game stretch (9/121/2, 8/160/1, and 7/132/1) from late September into early October. He led Georgia in receptions all three years, underscoring his consistency as a target hog.

Bowers carried that same reliability into the NFL, immediately establishing himself as the Raiders' primary receiving option as a rookie. His route running, spatial awareness, and feel for finding soft spots in coverage translated seamlessly, drawing a heavy target share that included seven double-digit target games.

He was especially dangerous on the road, hauling in 71 catches for 783 yards and four touchdowns on 93 targets away from home. On the season, Bowers caught 112 of 153 targets for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns, good for 263.10 PPR fantasy points and the top spot among all tight ends. He delivered two signature performances of 13/123/1 and 10/142/1, with two additional near-impact outings of 8/97/1 and 11/99.

Last season, Bowers shined in Week 1 (5/103 on eight targets), but a knee issue slowed him down over his next three starts (5/38, 4/38, and 5/46), followed by three missed contests. He dominated in his first game back (12/133/3 on 13 targets). After a dull showing (1/31), Bowers fell more into a steady category over his last six games (32/297/4 on 43 targets) while gaining only 9.3 yards per catch (10.7 in 2024). Las Vegas shut him down in Week 17 due to lingering affects with his knee issue.

Michael Mayer→ his ranking

Mayer's calling card is his blocking, which should earn him consistent snaps at the NFL level and give offensive coordinators a reason to keep him on the field on early downs. That physicality comes with a trade-off; he can struggle to create separation off the line and at the top of his routes, limiting his receiving upside out of the gate. Most of his production comes closer to the line of scrimmage, though he's not without athleticism, running a respectable 4.70 in the 40 for the position. His reliable hands are a genuine asset, allowing him to make catches in tight windows where lesser tight ends come up short.

At Notre Dame, Mayer was a model of consistency across three seasons, catching 180 of 265 targets for 2,099 yards and 18 touchdowns. His yards-per-catch figure grew each year (from 10.7 to 11.8 to 12.1), suggesting gradual development as a route runner. His 2021 and 2022 seasons were nearly identical in production, and he closed out his college career with three 100-yard performances in his final season.

The transition to the NFL hasn’t developed as expected, and the Raiders closed his TE1 window by drafting Brock Bowers. He managed just one catch for two yards over his first four games as a rookie before flashing some promise with a 5/75 outing in Week 6 and a touchdown grab in Week 15. A toe injury ended his season early, but Las Vegas did give him TE1 snaps in 10 of his 14 games, signaling organizational belief in his role.

In year two, Brock Bowers hit the ground running, pushing Mayer's snap share down to 41.3%. He also missed six games early in the season due to a personal matter. When available, Mayer caught 21 of 32 targets for 156 yards without a touchdown, with his best showing coming in Week 14 with a 7/68 performance.

With Bowers injured last year, Mayer flashed in two games (5/50/1 and 9/89) while drawing TE1 snaps in six contests. Las Vegas had him on the field for 46.8% of their plays. He finished the year with 35 catches for 328 yards and one score across 50 targets.

He remains a reliable blocker and a complementary piece, but his path to fantasy relevance in Las Vegas looks narrow as long as Bowers is commanding the lion's share of tight end targets.

Matt Gay

For fantasy drafters waiting on a kicker in 2021, Gay rewarded them with an excellent season. He made 94.1% of his field goal chances with success from 50 yards or more (4-for-5). His leg held value in 2022 (28-for-30), with his only two misses coming from long range (7-for-9 from 50 yards or more).

Over the past five seasons, Gay had 131 field goal attempts, with 22 misses (83.2% success rate). Eighteen of those errant kicks came from 50 yards or more 22-for-40). Over the past seven years, 189 of his 192 extra points went through the uprights.

A back injury led to Gay only kicking 12 games in 2025. He made only 73.9% of his 23 field goals, but his failure came from 50 yards or more (4-for-9).