Fantasy Football Rankings Shift After Week 2 Injuries, Dropping Jeanty to No. 35

Q: Will the No. 1 pick's preseason struggles shatter his confidence, or is this the wake-up call the Raiders needed?

It is far more likely to be a useful wake-up call than a confidence-breaking moment. Mendoza’s stat line against Houston was poor — 8 of 15 for 86 yards, one interception, one sack — but the context matters. He was pressured on 37.5% of his dropbacks, hit five times, and played behind a Raiders offensive line that has already shown signs of instability in camp and joint practices. The ugliest play, Wade Woodaz’s 80-yard pick-six, was a real rookie mistake, but it also illustrated a lesson former No. 1 pick Troy Aikman pointed out on the broadcast: NFL throwing windows close much faster than they do in college. The stronger evidence says Mendoza is built to absorb this. Coaches and teammates have consistently described him as unusually prepared, detail-obsessed and self-critical in a productive way. He had a cleaner preseason debut against Arizona, throwing for 97 yards and a touchdown without an interception, which suggests Thursday was not a full picture of his progress. Maxx Crosby’s immediate message on the sideline — that the key is how he responds — also reflects the team’s view of this as part of development, not a crisis. For the Raiders, the more urgent takeaway may be protection, not panic. Houston’s reserve-heavy front repeatedly disrupted Mendoza, and that echoes broader concerns about Las Vegas’ line depth. If anything, this game was a reminder that developing a franchise quarterback requires not just patience with the rookie, but better support around him.

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 23

Ashton Jeanty’s practice injury drove the sharpest late change, with the borderline first-round back now pushed down to pick No. 35 until his status is clearer.
Mike Washington Jr. became the main beneficiary after rushing for 119 yards on 15 preseason carries; he could rise to a Round 5 value if Jeanty’s injury proves season-ending.
Houston’s losses also reshaped projections: Jayden Higgins’ injury lifted Nico Collins into Round 2 and pushed Dalton Schultz toward the top 12 tight ends on a possible 120-target path.
New Orleans’ backfield moved again after Alvin Kamara’s injury, sending Travis Etienne into the top 12 running backs with a 290-touch projection and Round 3 value.
Other Week 2 adjustments were smaller but notable: Najee Harris’ arrival hurt Tyrone Tracy, Jalen Coker climbed to Round 9 in Carolina, and Dalton Kincaid entered the top 12 tight ends.