The Rookie Guide is OUT NOW🚨
📝 Comprehensive analysis on EVERY fantasy-relevant rookie
🤖 Pre-NFL Draft, as well as Post-NFL Draft Rankings curated by Walter’s data science, as well as our team of experts
🌱 The Guide is a LIVING document! It’s constantly updated and will be completely altered once the NFL Draft happens to provide insights into their 2026 expectations
🏈 Ideal landing spots for every prospect, as well as ceiling and floor player comparisons
🏆 While Samps is the head writer, the entire WalterPicks team has “My Guys” in the guide! These are players that we have the most belief in. Every contributor has added reasoning behind their selections that can also be found within the guide
Sneak Peek: Fernando Mendoza
Player Comparison:
Ceiling - Drake Maye, Baker Mayfield
Floor - Sam Bradford
Projected Pick: #1 Overall
Ideal Landing Spot: Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza is locked in as the first overall pick. He won the 2025 Heisman Trophy at Indiana. He is heavily responsible for one of the greatest single-season turnarounds in NCAA history.
He went from 16 touchdowns and six interceptions across 11 games at Cal in 2024 to completing the regular season with a 41:6 TD-to-INT ratio at Indiana in 2025. He finished #1 in the nation in passing efficiency rating, total TDs, adjusted yards per attempt, and passing TDs. This is a massive leap from his first two seasons. He had a 97th percentile QBR (90.3), as well as an 84th percentile Yards Per Attempt (9.3)
He averaged 17.3 rushing yards per game. An okay, but not overly exciting mark on paper.
Fantasy Outlook for 2026 - Our Takes:
We’re not anticipating Mendoza to be fantasy relevant in year one, given his circumstances.
Kirk Cousins joining the fold makes his odds of early success FAR slimmer. He has the potential of becoming a very strong pocket passer as his career progresses, and his opportunity presents itself.
He offers sneaky rushing capability, and there’s a real chance that Mendoza puts up some high-quality fantasy performances against bottom-tier defenses.
Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty are going to improve for two reasons - Mendoza’s proficiency as a high-point, seam, and comeback route thrower, as well as his pro-ready traits boding well for more consistent red zone opportunities.
Mendoza is going to be a late 1st round dynasty rookie draft pick
40+ constantly updated rookie write-ups just like this one can be found in the Rookie Guide! We hope you enjoy it!
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