Vikings reunite with QB Cousins; Mendoza set to be Raiders' QB1

Fantasy football: Cousins returns to Minnesota for a playoff push, while Mendoza finally gets his chance to start for Las Vegas against a tough Seattle defence.

By Fantasy Roundup Staff · November 10, 2026 · Updated November 11, 2026

The Vikings have reacquired quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Raiders for a 2027 third-round pick, reuniting him with coach Kevin O'Connell after consecutive losses dropped Minnesota to 6-2. The trade clears the way for 2026 No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza to take over as the Raiders' starting quarterback, beginning this week at home against Seattle. Aidan O'Connell will serve as Mendoza's backup.

Cousins gives the Vikings a playoff-calibre option after Carson Wentz posted a 2.3 QBR on Monday night, whilst Kyler Murray remains week-to-week with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. For fantasy managers, Cousins becomes a hold in Minnesota's offence, whilst Mendoza enters a difficult situation against the Seahawks, who have allowed 11.3 half-PPR points a game to quarterbacks, the 2nd fewest of 32.

Fantasy impact

Player by player

Kirk Cousins

Cousins completed 22 of 32 passes for 216 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in Week 9's loss to San Francisco, adding two carries for no yards and one touchdown on 100% of snaps for 12.6 half-PPR points. Over his last three games with the Raiders, he averaged 252.7 passing yards and 3.3 carries a game for 20.4 half-PPR points a game. His completion percentage per-game average of 0.17 EPA per attempt ranks 14th of 49 quarterbacks this season, whilst he is scoring 0.5 half-PPR points a game above what his usage predicts, so some touchdown or big-play luck that may not repeat.

Now in Minnesota, Cousins faces Green Bay's defence on Sunday, which has allowed 14.8 half-PPR points a game to quarterbacks, the 7th fewest of 32. Our models project 16.0 half-PPR points a game and rank him 11th amongst quarterbacks with a Roundup Score of 69 out of 99. Hold Cousins as a QB2 with upside in his reunion with Justin Jefferson, though Week 10's matchup is tougher than most and his recent three-interception performance raises questions about his short-term form.

Fernando Mendoza

Mendoza saw limited action in Week 5 against New England, completing six of eight passes for 48 yards with one carry for three yards on 17% of snaps for 2.2 half-PPR points. That represents his only appearance this season, as Kirk Cousins had orchestrated the Raiders' offence through nine weeks. Over that one game, he is scoring 1.3 half-PPR points a game below what his usage predicts, so his role is worth more than his recent points, though the sample is too small to draw conclusions.

Mendoza takes over as the Raiders' starting quarterback this week at home against Seattle, a defence that has allowed 11.3 half-PPR points a game to quarterbacks, the 2nd fewest of 32. Our models project just 3.1 half-PPR points a game and rank him 62nd amongst quarterbacks with a Roundup Score of 6 out of 99. Hold Mendoza on rosters where he is stashed, but do not start him in his first NFL start against one of the league's toughest defences for quarterbacks.

Kyler Murray

Murray completed 17 of 29 passes for 210 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in Week 8 against Detroit, adding four carries for 35 yards on 100% of snaps for 19.9 half-PPR points. Over his last three games, he averaged 196.3 passing yards and 6.3 carries a game for 17.4 half-PPR points a game. He is scoring about what his usage predicts over that span, so his points match his role.

Murray suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain against Detroit and was ruled out for Monday's game against Buffalo. He remains week-to-week with no clear return timeline. Check the inactive list about 90 minutes before kickoff, as he is listed questionable for Week 10 against Green Bay. Bench Murray and find a replacement until he returns to full health.

J.J. McCarthy

McCarthy completed 12 of 19 passes for 127 yards with four carries for 22 yards on 76% of snaps in Week 9 against Philadelphia for 7.3 half-PPR points. Over his last three games, he averaged 207.3 passing yards and 2.3 carries a game for 11.3 half-PPR points a game. He is scoring 0.6 half-PPR points a game above what his usage predicts over that span, so some touchdown or big-play luck that may not repeat.

McCarthy was traded from Minnesota to the Giants for a fifth-round pick in September and has won both of his starts in New York. He is listed questionable with a hip injury, so check the inactive list about 90 minutes before kickoff. He faces Washington on Thursday night, a defence that has allowed 19.6 half-PPR points a game to quarterbacks, the 4th most of 32. Hold McCarthy, but monitor his injury status closely before Thursday's game.

Jacoby Brissett

Brissett completed 10 of 23 passes for 119 yards and one interception in Week 8 against Dallas, adding three carries for seven yards on 58% of snaps for 3.5 half-PPR points. Over his last three games, he averaged 203.0 passing yards and 4.0 carries a game for 9.0 half-PPR points a game. He is scoring 10.9 half-PPR points a game below what his usage predicts over that span, so his role is worth more than his recent points.

The Ravens acquired Brissett from Arizona on Friday and named him the starter for Week 10 against the Chargers on Monday night after Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley landed on injured reserve. He faces a Los Angeles defence that has allowed 17.0 half-PPR points a game to quarterbacks, the 12th fewest of 32. Hold Brissett in superflex formats as a veteran stepping into a starting role, but his recent efficiency numbers suggest caution in standard leagues.

Keenan Allen

Allen caught four of eight targets for 26 yards on 56% of snaps in Week 9 against Dallas for 4.6 half-PPR points. Over his last three games, he averaged 52% of snaps with a 21% target share, 6.0 targets and no carries a game for 6.5 half-PPR points a game. He is scoring 1.0 half-PPR points a game below what his usage predicts over that span, so his role is worth more than his recent points.

The 49ers acquired Allen from Indianapolis on Tuesday for a 2027 sixth-round pick, adding him to a wide receiver room depleted by injuries to Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel. He faces Dallas this week, a defence that has allowed 29.0 half-PPR points a game to receivers, the 6th most of 32. Hold Allen and monitor his usage in San Francisco's offence, as his fantasy value depends on how much playing time he receives in his new environment.

What to do

• Hold Kirk Cousins as a QB2 option in Minnesota, though his Week 10 matchup against Green Bay is tougher than most.

• Bench Fernando Mendoza for his first NFL start against Seattle's tough defence, but hold him on rosters where he is stashed.

• Bench Kyler Murray until he returns from his Grade 2 hamstring strain and check the inactive list before kickoff as he is listed questionable.

• Hold Keenan Allen and monitor his usage with the 49ers, as his value depends on his role in the injury-depleted receiver room.