Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Fernando Mendoza
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Marcus Mariota News
Friday, May 8, 12:28 PM
After appearing in just six games (zero starts) between 2023 and 2024, Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota was pressed into starting duty in 2025 thanks to myriad injury issues for Washington QB1 Jayden Daniels. The veteran Mariota performed adequately, throwing for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions across 11 games (eight starts). Mariota's fantasy appeal comes from his ability to use his legs, as he rushed for 297 yards and a score on 50 attempts. With Daniels healthy heading into 2026, Mariota should slide back into a backup role. Given Daniels' injury track record dating back to his days in college, dynasty managers may want to consider stashing Mariota in a bench spot. Still, rostering Mariota is a deep-league play at best, as he offers little upside beyond capable QB2 production as he enters his age-33 season.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16.1 | 12.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Fernando Mendoza News
Thursday, July 23, 9:19 AM
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza has signed his rookie contract, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Raiders rookies are due to report to the team facility today, with the team's training camp officially beginning on Tuesday. Now that Mendoza's contract is signed, his participation in training camp will not be impacted in any way. The number one overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions while rushing for 276 yards and seven scores across 16 games in his final collegiate season at the University of Indiana. The 22-year-old is expected to see some first-team reps in training camp, but he will likely enter camp behind veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins on the team's depth chart. Still, Mendoza profiles as the quarterback of the future in Las Vegas, and it may only be a matter of time before he takes over as the team's QB1.
Marcus Mariota vs. Fernando Mendoza
Still trying to decide between Mariota and Mendoza? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Marcus Mariota is projected to score 1.0 points this week while Fernando Mendoza is projected to score 16.1 points.
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