Fernando Mendoza Tops 2026 Rookie Passers at 3,052 Yards as Jeremiyah Love Leads Rushers at 1,129
Updated
Updated · ESPN · May 19
Fernando Mendoza Tops 2026 Rookie Passers at 3,052 Yards as Jeremiyah Love Leads Rushers at 1,129
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · May 19
3,052 passing yards and 14 touchdowns are projected for Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza, making the No. 1 pick the clear favorite to lead a weak 2026 rookie QB class.
1,129 rushing yards and seven TDs are forecast for Cardinals back Jeremiyah Love, while Seahawks runner Jadarian Price is projected to match him with nine touchdowns from scrimmage.
1,065 receiving yards put Titans wideout Carnell Tate atop rookie receivers, ahead of Saints first-rounder Jordyn Tyson at 917, with Jets tight end Kenyon Sadiq projected for a notable 691 yards.
123 tackles lead the defensive projections for Commanders linebacker Sonny Styles, while Jets edge rusher David Bailey tops rookies with 7.6 sacks and Raiders safety Treydan Stukes shares the interceptions lead at 2.0.
The projections reflect a class expected to produce modest rookie offense outside a few top picks, with especially low Year 1 expectations for quarterbacks and no defender forecast for even eight sacks.
Can No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza overcome a veteran's presence to immediately elevate the rebuilding Las Vegas Raiders?
Is Jeremiyah Love's record contract a smart investment or a misread of the modern running back market by the Cardinals?