AI was used to predict Fernando Mendoza's future in the NFL ahead of the 2026 Draft. The article explores the capabilities of AI in forecasting sports careers.
Key points
AI predicts Fernando Mendoza's NFL career path
Predictions made ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft
Exploration of AI's capabilities in sports forecasting
Comparison with traditional mock drafts
Mentioned in this story
Fernando Mendoza
NFL DraftNFL
Two things are true when it comes to the future: you don't know what it holds and you would like to know what it holds.
Everyone is different, but there is clearly a market for the fortune teller profession. If there weren't, we wouldn't have random genies at arcades attempting to signal what is coming next. Fortune cookies wouldn't exist. The psychic industry would cease to exist, and don't even get us started on the Magic 8-Ball.
The modern world has gifted us plenty of conveniences and luxuries, things that would've been unimaginable previously. One of them is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), which often replaces organic intelligence in the name of convenience.
Whatever the reason, USA TODAY Sports has enjoyed peeling back the curtain behind the technology to test its skills as it relates to the NFL. After plenty of mock drafts, including one that is probably the worst of all-time, we decided to take it to a new level.
We asked Microsoft Copilot to "predict Fernando Mendoza's career path, including record, awards, Super Bowl wins, teams and other key stats," to see what happened. The chatbot gave us a modern-day time capsule, which we can look back on and track its success.
Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Q&A
What predictions were made about Fernando Mendoza's NFL career?
The AI predictions regarding Fernando Mendoza's NFL career path were generated ahead of the 2026 Draft.
How does AI predict sports careers like Fernando Mendoza's?
AI uses data analysis and modeling techniques to forecast potential outcomes in sports careers based on various performance metrics.
What is the significance of the 2026 NFL Draft for Fernando Mendoza?
The 2026 NFL Draft is significant for Fernando Mendoza as it represents a pivotal moment for his entry into professional football.
What other methods have been used to predict NFL player careers?
Other methods include mock drafts and statistical analysis, which have been popular in assessing player potential before drafts.
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NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
Chicago Bears – T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson
26 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
Buffalo Bills – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
27 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
San Francisco 49ers – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
28 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
Houston Texans – Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
29 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) – Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF
30 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
31 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
New England Patriots – Zion Young, DE/OLB, Missouri
32 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Fernando Mendoza career stats projected by AI
Copilot projects that Mendoza will play 14 NFL seasons and suit up for the Raiders, Vikings and Jets. It believes he will make a playoff appearance in 50% of those seasons and hoist one Lombardi Trophy.
The chatbot summed up Mendoza's career like this:
"A high‑accuracy, timing‑based franchise quarterback who peaks as an MVP and Super Bowl champion, with a long, stable, productive career," Copilot said. "Not a generational GOAT, but absolutely a franchise cornerstone and a champion."
NFL Career: 2026–2039 (14 seasons)
Teams:
Las Vegas Raiders (2026–2033)
Minnesota Vikings (2034–2037)
New York Jets (2038–2039)
Career Record as Starter: 108–83
Playoff Appearances: 7
Super Bowl Appearances: 1
Super Bowl Wins: 1
MVP Awards: 1
Pro Bowls: 4
All‑Pro Selections: 1 (Second Team)
Career Stats:
Completion %: 66.8%
Passing Yards: 47,900
TD–INT: 324–142
Passer Rating: 96.4
Fernando Mendoza career path prediction
2026 — Rookie Season (Raiders)
Record: 6–11
Stats: 3,420 yards, 20 TD, 14 INT, 63%
Shows accuracy and poise but struggles behind a shaky line.
Finishes 2nd in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
2027 — Breakout Year
Record: 9–8 (Wild Card berth)
Stats: 4,080 yards, 27 TD, 10 INT
Raiders lose in wild-card round.
Mendoza earns his first Pro Bowl.
2028 — Ascending
Record: 10–7
Stats: 4,300 yards, 31 TD, 12 INT
Raiders win a playoff game for the first time in years.
Mendoza is now viewed as a top‑12 QB.
2029 — MVP Season
Record: 12–5
Stats: 4,650 yards, 38 TD, 8 INT, 70%
Wins NFL MVP.
Raiders reach AFC Championship Game but lose to a veteran powerhouse.
2030 — Regression but Still Strong
Record: 9–8
Stats: 4,100 yards, 26 TD, 13 INT
Offensive line injuries derail the season.
2031 — Peak Efficiency
Record: 11–6
Stats: 4,350 yards, 33 TD, 9 INT
Named second‑team All‑Pro.
Raiders lose in divisional round.
2032 — The Decline Begins
Record: 7–10
Stats: 3,900 yards, 22 TD, 15 INT
Coaching turnover hurts development.
2033 — Final Raiders Season
Record: 8–9
Stats: 3,750 yards, 21 TD, 12 INT
Raiders draft a QB; Mendoza hits free agency.
2034 — Minnesota Vikings era begins
A fresh start revitalizes him.
Record: 10–7
Stats: 4,200 yards, 29 TD, 11 INT
Vikings lose in wild-card round.
2035 — Super Bowl Run
Record: 12–5
Stats: 4,450 yards, 34 TD, 9 INT
Vikings reach Super Bowl LXX, defeating the Ravens.
Mendoza wins Super Bowl MVP.
2036
Record: 9–8
Stats: 3,980 yards, 24 TD, 13 INT
2037
Record: 8–9
Stats: 3,600 yards, 20 TD, 14 INT
Vikings move on to a younger QB.
2038 — New York Jets era begins (Final stop)
Record: 7–10
Stats: 3,200 yards, 17 TD, 12 INT
2039 — Retirement Year
Record: 5–12
Stats: 2,450 yards, 12 TD, 9 INT
Announces retirement at age 36.
Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
New York Jets – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech
Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
New Orleans Saints – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Kansas City Chiefs – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Cincinnati Bengals – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)
Dallas Cowboys – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)
Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Baltimore Ravens – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Detroit Lions – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Carolina Panthers – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Pittsburgh Steelers – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
Los Angeles Chargers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)
Philadelphia Eagles – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
