Fernando Mendoza vaults to Offensive Rookie of the Year betting favorite after Kirk Cousins trade

Fernando Mendoza hasn’t started an NFL game, and he’s the new favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. 

The rookie quarterback sprung from 20/1 to the +300 favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook on Tuesday after the Las Vegas Raiders traded veteran starter Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings for a third-round draft pick ahead of the NFL trade deadline.

The move clears the way for the No. 1 overall pick to take over under center. Mendoza has appeared in just one regular-season game, completing 75 percent of his passes for 48 yards in mop-up duty during a 45-17 Week 5 loss to the New England Patriots.

Mendoza leapfrogged Cleveland Browns wideout Denzel Ward, who entered Tuesday as the betting favorite, but now sits at +500. 

Denver Broncos running back Jonah Coleman and Tennessee Titans receiver Carnell Tate are tied for third at +600, followed by another Browns receiver, KC Concepcion, at +650.

Mendoza’s emergence as the betting favorite also comes amid a dramatic tumble for Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiah Love, who after opening as the +300 preseason favorite slid down to 70/1 after landing on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain. 

It’s his college résumé, however, that is drawing oddsmakers’ favor. Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to a national championship, completing 72 percent of his passes for 3,535 yards and a nation-leading 41 touchdowns in 2025. 

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His first career NFL start is expected to come Sunday against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, who have moved from 3-point road favorites to 6.5-point favorites following the trade.

Meanwhile, the Vikings acquired Cousins, who played for Minnesota from 2018 through 2023, after an abysmal offensive performance in Monday night’s 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills.