Fantasy Football News

Kirk Cousins took all of the first-team reps today in practice while Fernando Mendoza took all of the second-team reps per Sam Warren of The Athletic. While the Raiders haven’t officially announced their starting quarterback with just one preseason game left before opening weekend, Cousins has been the expected starter.

Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty is believed to have sprained an ankle in Sunday's practice, according to insiders Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter. "The Raiders still are unsure how long he will be out, but it is not considered a long-term injury and the organization is breathing a sigh of relief tonight," Schefter writes. It's excellent news after what sounded like a potential season-ending injury.

Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty appeared to hurt his right knee in Sunday's practice, according to multiple reports.

Fernando Mendoza is expected to make the first preseason start of his career, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. After essentially playing a half last week, entering for Kirk Cousins after the opening touchdown drive and staying in through the end of the third quarter, the Raiders’ first overall pick is expected to get a similar workload this time as the starter.

Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza was sharp in his preseason debut vs. the Cardinals on Thursday night, completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards, 1 TD, and 0 INTs. But QB Kirk Cousins got the start and is still the favorite to open the regular season as Vegas' starter, HC Klint Kubiak confirmed after the game.

ESPN's Dan Graziano heard from multiple people inside the Raiders organization that RB Ashton Jeanty is expected to play an even bigger role in the passing game this season. That would build on last year's 73 targets, 55 catches, and 346 receiving yards, all top-10 marks among RBs.

Raiders beat writer Ryan McFadden writes that WR Malik Benson "has made a strong case for meaningful snaps" this season.

Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty changed his diet this offseason and is down to 207 pounds, according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. Jeanty was 211 pounds at the Combine. It's a small change but one that will hopefully result in more big plays from Jeanty this season.

ESPN’s Ryan McFadden writes that “Brock Bowers' connection has looked strong” with QB Kirk Cousins. HC Klint Kubiak named Cousins his starter heading into training camp.

According to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden, Brock Bowers is fully healthy and set up for a potential career year. He impressed everyone from new QB Kirk Cousins to HC Klint Kubiak during OTAs, with his health and talent on full display. Cousins even compared Bowers to Jordan Reed in Washington, whom he called “arguably their best eligible player there.” Reed led the league in PPR points per game in 2015 (17.6).

Raiders HC Klint Kubiak singled out WR Tre Tucker while discussing the team's WR room, calling him a quiet leader whose hard work and play style have rubbed off on the younger WRs. Tucker, a 2023 third-round pick with blazing 4.40 speed, now has the longest Raiders tenure of any WR on the team.

New HC Klint Kubiak wants RB Ashton Jeanty to “rarely come off the field, almost similar to Christian McCaffrey,” per beat writer Ryan McFadden.

ESPN’s Ryan McFadden believes rookie RB Mike Washington Jr. is in “prime position” to win Vegas’ No. 2 RB job. McFadden points to a thin depth chart and HC Klint Kubiak’s preference for a two-RB system as positives for the rookie.

Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza said he has a “long way to go” in his adjustment to playing under center. He took only 3% of his snaps under center at Indiana last season, per ESPN.

The Raiders signed undrafted free agent RB Roman Hemby. Hemby broke out as a sophomore at Maryland, rushing 188 times for 989 yards and 10 TDs. He caught 33 passes that year, the first of three straight seasons with 30+ receptions. His receiving output dipped to 17 grabs for 165 yards at Indiana in 2025. But he paired with Kaelon Black to form one of the nation’s best backfield tandems. Hemby tallied career highs in carries (230) and rushing yards (1,120). Among the 20 RBs invited to the NFL Combine, Hemby ranked 16th in 2025 rushing market share (31.2%), and 11th in yards after contact per attempt (3.36). He ranked 18th in 2025 missed tackles forced per attempt (0.16) and ninth in receiving yards per route run (0.95). He is currently 23 years old.

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Oregon WR Malik Benson in Round 6 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Benson starred for two seasons at Hutchinson Community College and left as the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards (2,152). That breakout caught Nick Saban’s eye and earned him a transfer to Alabama. But the jump in competition crushed the production. Benson wound up seventh on the Tide in catches (13) and sixth in receiving yards (162). A 2024 move to Florida State found only marginal improvement (25-311-1), due at least in part to poor QB play. Benson bounced back this past season at Oregon, leading the team with 719 receiving yards and finishing second to TE Kenyon Sadiq with 43 catches and 6 TDs. His 2.60 yards per route ranked seventh among the 49 WRs invited to this year’s Combine. Benson averaged 16.7 yards per catch for the Ducks and confirmed that big-play ability with a 4.37-second 40 time at the Combine. He’s undersized at 189 pounds, though, and enters the NFL as an unrefined 23-year-old.

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Arkansas RB Mike Washington Jr. in Round 4 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Washington spent three seasons at Buffalo before making one-year stops at New Mexico State and Arkansas. He didn’t truly level up until this past fall in Fayetteville. The 6’1, 223-pounder ripped off 6.4 yards per rush and set career highs in carries (167), yards (1,070), and receptions (28). He also posted a sturdy 3.86 yards after contact per attempt, per PFF. Among the 20 RBs invited to the NFL Combine, Washington ranked eighth in 2025 rushing market share (46.3%), and fourth in yards after contact per attempt (3.86). He ranked 13th in 2025 missed tackles forced per attempt (0.20) and eighth in receiving yards per route run (0.99). He is currently 23 years old.

The Raiders selected QB Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza opened his college career at Cal where he ascended from the No. 3 QB to starter in 2023, completing 63% of his passes for the season, with 1,708 yards, 14 TDs, and 10 INTs. He also ran for 98 yards and 2 TDs. He flashed NFL upside in 2023 as the starter despite taking 41 sacks, second most in the FBS. Mendoza transferred to Indiana over his hometown Miami Hurricanes, joining a program that entered 2025 chasing a title after a first-round playoff loss in 2024. Mendoza finished with 3,535 passing yards, 41 TDs, and 6 INTs for the season, adding 276 yards and 7 TDs on the ground. He won the Heisman and led the Hoosiers to a national championship. Mendoza ranked second among Combine QBs in adjusted completion percentage in 2025 (79%).

QB Kirk Cousins agreed to a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders per his agent. With only QB Aidan O'Connell currently on the roster, the Raiders plan to draft QB Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. But, HC Klint Kubiak expressed interest in signing a veteran QB to not force Mendoza into the lineup for Week 1. Kubiak coached Cousins for three seasons in Minnesota, so the fit should be easy into Kubiak's offense. Cousins appears to be the perfect fit to start the season and let Mendoza ease into the NFL. Cousins should be the favorite to start Week 1.

The Raiders announced Tuesday that the Ravens have canceled the Maxx Crosby trade. ESPN reports that Baltimore rescinded its offer because of "medical concerns that arose during a physical."