Latest Fernando Mendoza ranking spells bad news for Kirk Cousins

Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza is getting his feet wet with the Las Vegas Raiders, and he's largely expected to become the eventual franchise quarterback for the team. But first, the Raiders have locked in veteran Kirk Cousins to handle signal-calling duties until the rookie is comfortable enough in the NFL to take over.

That could take one week. It could take an entire season. When Mendoza starts remains to be seen, but it's certain that he's expected to take on the starter role at some point.

Now, Mendoza is already beating out Cousins in a new ranking. In a piece out on Thursday, Garrett Podell of CBS Sports ranks the best QB-WR duos in the NFL ahead of 2026. He doesn't even mention Cousins in this tally, but he does bring up Mendoza.

Fernando Mendoza and Tre Tucker already make a best-of list

In the feature, Podell ranks the combo of Mendoza and wide receiver Tre Tucker the 10th best in the NFL ahead of 2026. That's a great showing, considering Mendoza is first-year player and not even predicted to start in Week 1.

"After an undefeated season, Mendoza's new mission is to lead the Las Vegas Raiders back from the dead alongside new coach Klint Kubiak, the offensive coordinator of the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks," he states in the piece.

"Mendoza's top target will obviously be All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers, but since this piece is about QB-WR duos, his future connection with 2023 third-round pick wideout Tre Tucker takes center stage." 

He also predicts that Tucker and Mendoza "can create big plays through the air with regularity, something that hasn't been seen in Las Vegas in years."

That's quiet a lofty prediction, but if it holds true, the Raiders will finally have something big to celebrate after a long drought.