Who Should I Start? Kyler Murray or Fernando Mendoza


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
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Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Kyler Murray News

Is Kyler Murray a Redraft Sleeper Entering 2026?

Monday, June 22, 8:58 AM

Entering 2026, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray is in need of a career reboot. The 28-year-old missed 12 games in 2025 with a foot injury, marking the third time in the last four seasons that he's missed at least six games. Murray's production has also been in gradual decline since his peak years in 2020 and 2021, which led him to sign a massive contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals. As he enters his first year with Minnesota, Murray is currently competing for the QB1 role with incumbent Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy. While McCarthy is a former first-round draft pick, he completed just 57.6% of his passes and threw 12 interceptions across 12 starts for the Vikings in 2025. If Murray can win the starting job, he'll be working with one of the league's better play-callers in Kevin O'Connell and throwing to an elite trio of wide receivers in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings. Murray also brings dual-threat upside for fantasy managers, as he's just a season removed from rushing for 572 yards and five touchdowns across 17 games for the Cardinals in 2024. Murray's profile obviously carries significant risk, but his current redraft ADP of QB17 may not be accurately capturing his upside.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Fernando Mendoza News

Fernando Mendoza a Long-term Dynasty Investment Who Could Be Brought Along Slowly

Friday, June 12, 5:36 AM

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza spent most of minicamp working with the third-team offense, as he did during organized team activities. While praising him for his work ethic and attitude, head coach Klint Kubiak has made it clear that the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft will not just be handed starting reps. With veterans Kirk Cousins and Aidan O'Connell still ahead of him on the unofficial depth chart, the next month and a half before teams gather again for training camp will be a critical stage in Mendoza's development. An opportunity to lead the second-team offense should come early in camp, but from there, Mendoza will need to continue demonstrating growth to push for a starting job that will need to be earned rather than assumed. While the playmakers in Vegas are not necessarily a deep group outside of tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty, it's clear the team is doing all it can to set Mendoza up for long-term success, and at RotoBaller's dynasty QB17, he is worthy of an early selection in superflex rookie drafts.


Kyler Murray vs. Fernando Mendoza

Still trying to decide between Murray and Mendoza? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Kyler Murray is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Fernando Mendoza is projected to score 0.0 points.