Bradley LockerNov 10, 2026
Locker writes that with Kirk Cousins traded to Minnesota, rookie first overall pick Fernando Mendoza takes over as the Raiders' starting quarterback for the second half of 2026, beginning with a first career start against Seattle. They frame the Cousins acquisition as an upgrade over Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz for a Vikings team whose defense is playing at an elite level.
Published in writing · Pro Football FocusRead the original
What Bradley Locker said
With Cousins gone, first overall pick Fernando Mendoza will get the opportunity to develop over the second half of 2026.
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- Pro Football Focus
- The piece
- Minnesota Vikings reunite with quarterback Kirk Cousins in effort to solve lingering passing issues
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How the call scored
One checkable claim, graded on its own against what actually happened.
It names 2 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
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Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
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Where this call stands in the room
Fernando Mendoza · 2026 season81 calls from 53 pundits between 1 and 3. Bradley Locker said 1. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.
Their call against the room
Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
Depth Chart CallsFernando MendozaLas Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza to be 1st on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Who this take is about
Others on the same people
Chris Broussard · Game Outcome Picks · Las Vegas Raiders · Hit 100
Broussard picked the Ravens to beat the Bills in a shootout, 38-34, took the Raiders to upset the Jets, and said Detroit would beat the Vikings.John Breech · Score Predictions · Las Vegas Raiders · Hit 95
Breech's Week 8 score predictions include Bengals over Titans, Raiders over Jets, Rams over Chargers and Patriots over Dolphins.Tyler Sullivan · Game Outcome Picks · Las Vegas Raiders · Hit 100
Sullivan's Week 8 upset alert column flags five favorites they expect to lose: they pick the Falcons over the Buccaneers, the Raiders over the Jets, the undefeated Vikings over the Lions, the Ravens (with Lamar Jackson returning) over the Bills, and the Browns over the Steelers.Ezekiel Trezevant · Game Outcome Picks · Las Vegas Raiders · Hit 100
Trezevant argues that if the Raiders are as improved as they appeared at 3-0, they should beat the Jets in Week 8 on the road and end their four-game losing streak.
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Previewing Week 9 running game matchups, Bodiford expects Jacksonville to win lopsidedly over a depleted Baltimore team, with Bhayshul Tuten sitting out and Chris Rodriguez taking over as lead back, while Joe Fagnano starts at quarterback for the Ravens. They also view Broncos rookie Jonah Coleman as an RB2 going forward.