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We Need Fernando Mendoza and Malik Willis To Be Good For Fantasy Football 2026
In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Mike's Hard Lemonade, Malik Willis and Fernando Mendoza are rising, Top 50 rankings and Roundtable Predictions.
In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Mike's Hard Lemonade:
In case you have already memory wiped it, the QB play at the end of last year’s regular season had gotten bleak. Injuries thrusted incompetent backups into starting roles. Rookies busted. It wasn’t pretty.
We don’t need to rehash it now, but I can’t help but feel a lot of pressure on the two new faces who are now expected to turn around franchises:
- Presumed No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza
- No. 1 Free Agent Malik Willis
I really want to be excited about both of those guys—and I do think they can be competent starters—but it’s not ideal that these two represent the best of our options to improve starting QB play in 2026.
Willis has been a revelation on a limited sample, but it’s more likely that his fantasy production as a starter comes from his legs than it does supporting a full cast of pass catchers. No matter how bullish you are on his skill set, the range of outcomes is extremely wide.
As for Mendoza, there are some traits to like—and Matthew Freedman outlines them here—but it’s also not a secret that this is week draft class for QBs and Mendoza is considered more of a “guy” than “the guy” (Todd McShay’s words, not mine).
In a recent piece, Freedman admits that Mendoza would not compare favorably to the top QBs in previous classes. Ian Hartitz found some comps that are pretty spot-on, and one will make you hungry.
Still, I’m cautiously optimistic that he can resuscitate Brock Bowers’ elite fantasy value if the Raiders do pull the trigger, but I’m also not holding my breath.
The same goes for Willis in any of the places he’s been rumored to land—Arizona, Miami, Cleveland and NYJ. None of those scream fantasy goodness to me, although I realize I’m jaded.
I promise that I’ll try to come around as the offseason progresses, but the wounds of QB play from 2025 are still fresh. Please be good, Fernando and Malik …
🍋 🏈 Go Hard or Go Home!
The NFL Draft Combine is HERE and that means one thing—it’s time to GO HARD. The stakes haven’t been higher for the incoming rookies taking the field in Indianapolis. Whether you’re glued to your phone for updates or watching from your couch, Mike’s Hard Lemonade is right there with you. Cold. Hard. Refreshing. GO HARD. Grab a Mike’s. Nobody Makes Lemonade Like Mike.
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Editors’ Picks
If you’re still shoveling snow, take a break and check out our great content …
Target Past Combine Stars
Ready to find some discounts in Dynasty? Sam Wallace recommends going shopping for past combine stars like Jaylin Noel in Dynasty.
WR Tiers
Who follows the Big 3 of Puka, Chase & JSN? Dwain McFarland sorts the WR position into seven tiers, though get ready to pick up the elites at the top.
LA Ready for Recharge
Tired of seeing Justin Herbert running for his life? Ian Hartitz designated the team needs for the Chargers during a pivotal offseason.
Freedman’s Top 50: Who Do You Love In Round 2?
We’ll see Jeremiyah Love on display at the NFL Scouting Combine this week in Indianapolis. Surely he’ll put on a show and solidify himself as a high pick in the NFL Draft, likely top 10. That should transfer over to Fantasy Football drafts a few months later. Matthew Freedman put out his Top 50 rankings, and there’s a whole lotta Love at No. 15:
Jeremiyah Love is only 20 years old, but he won the 2025 Doak Walker Award as the nation's top RB. In his final two college seasons, he put up 3,014 yards and 40 TDs from scrimmage in 28 games, and he's likely to go in the top 10 of the NFL Draft. With a three-down skill set and workhorse frame (6-0, 214 lbs.), Love could produce like a fantasy first-rounder as a rookie. He's probably not 2018 Saquon Barkley, but he could easily be 2023 Bijan Robinson or 2016 Ezekiel Elliott.
When it comes to someone as talented as Love, I'd rather be a year early.
This Top 50 is the cream of the crop of fantasy picks that will be driving your squads next season. Freedman even mixes in some early strategy talk on how to approach certain positions. ⤵️
26 Roundtable Predictions for 2026: QB1, Rushing Leader, Super Bowl Champ & More
The offseason has been fun post-Super Bowl. We touched grass. Talked to the family. Even walked the dog in the snow (brrr!). Since draft prospects haven’t yet started running and jumping at the NFL Scouting Combine, we thought it’d be a good time to get a roundtable discussion on all things Fantasy Football. Matthew Freedman, Ian Hartitz and Dwain McFarland teamed up for 26 Predictions for 2026:
1. Jayden Daniels will finish as QB ____ in 2026
Ian: QB5. As Blink-182 famously coined, “High-volume dual-threat QBs will always be a cheat code in fantasy football land.” It was concerning to see Jayden Daniels regress as a passer last season, independent of his injury woes; just realize we’re still looking at someone one season removed from scoring an elite 20.9 fantasy points per game.
13. T/F: Trevor Lawrence COULD be a top-5 fantasy QB in 2026
Dwain: True. He was the QB6 last year with 20.2 points per game. Trevor Lawrence appeared to get a feel for Liam Coen's scheme as the year progressed. He has solid weapons plus involvement in the run game.
21. Where are you ranking Oronde Gadsden in 2026?
Freedman: Oronde Gadsden is my No. 10 TE. He flashed as a rookie, and the Chargers offense could be better this year with the return of injured OTs Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, and the addition of new OC Mike McDaniel.
Let’s unwrap 23 more predictions for this upcoming season. ⤵️
Around the Watercooler
Our merry band of football nerds is back and bringing you the latest news, content and memes from the NFL universe …
🏃🏽♂️ Running the 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine is more important to some positions than others.
🍺 The Lions are headed abroad for a game next year. I need Dan Campbell with a giant beer stein badly.
🍑 The tush push got banned … but not in the NFL.
🚑️ The Joe Mixon situation … is still messy.
🤷 Kirk Cousins is about to get his wish. Where will he land?
🧈 The comps for Fernando Mendoza are spot on. Pass the butter.
❤️ Who’s joining Jeremiyah Love among the top RBs? Here’s two more.
🏈 Is Breece Hall staying put? He may not have a choice.
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