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 ofmock drafts, including one that is probably theworst of all-time, we decided to take it to a new level.
PredictingFernando Mendoza'scareer ahead of the2026 NFL Draft.
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We askedMicrosoft Copilotto "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.
2. New York Jets – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech
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3. Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
4. Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
5. New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
6. Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
7. Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
8. New Orleans Saints – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
9. Kansas City Chiefs – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
10. Cincinnati Bengals – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
11. Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
12. Dallas Cowboys – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
14. Baltimore Ravens – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
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17. Detroit Lions – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
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18. Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
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19. Carolina Panthers – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
26. Buffalo Bills – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) – Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF
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32. Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
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NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
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."
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NFL Career: 2026–2039 (14 seasons)
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Teams:
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Las Vegas Raiders (2026–2033)
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Minnesota Vikings (2034–2037)
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New York Jets (2038–2039)
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Career Record as Starter: 108–83
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Playoff Appearances: 7
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Super Bowl Appearances: 1
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Super Bowl Wins: 1
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MVP Awards: 1
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Pro Bowls: 4
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All‑Pro Selections: 1 (Second Team)
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Career Stats:
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Completion %: 66.8%
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Passing Yards: 47,900
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TD–INT: 324–142
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Passer Rating: 96.4
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Fernando Mendoza career path prediction
2026 — Rookie Season (Raiders)
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Record: 6–11
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Stats: 3,420 yards, 20 TD, 14 INT, 63%
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Shows accuracy and poise but struggles behind a shaky line.
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Finishes 2nd in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
2027 — Breakout Year
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Record: 9–8 (Wild Card berth)
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Stats: 4,080 yards, 27 TD, 10 INT
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Raiders lose in wild-card round.
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Mendoza earns his first Pro Bowl.
2028 — Ascending
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Record: 10–7
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Stats: 4,300 yards, 31 TD, 12 INT
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Raiders win a playoff game for the first time in years.
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Mendoza is now viewed as a top‑12 QB.
2029 — MVP Season
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Record: 12–5
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Stats: 4,650 yards, 38 TD, 8 INT, 70%
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Wins NFL MVP.
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Raiders reach AFC Championship Game but lose to a veteran powerhouse.
2030 — Regression but Still Strong
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Record: 9–8
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Stats: 4,100 yards, 26 TD, 13 INT
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Offensive line injuries derail the season.
2031 — Peak Efficiency
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Record: 11–6
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Stats: 4,350 yards, 33 TD, 9 INT
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Named second‑team All‑Pro.
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Raiders lose in divisional round.
2032 — The Decline Begins
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Record: 7–10
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Stats: 3,900 yards, 22 TD, 15 INT
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Coaching turnover hurts development.
2033 — Final Raiders Season
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Record: 8–9
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Stats: 3,750 yards, 21 TD, 12 INT
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Raiders draft a QB; Mendoza hits free agency.
2034 — Minnesota Vikings era begins
A fresh start revitalizes him.
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Record: 10–7
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Stats: 4,200 yards, 29 TD, 11 INT
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Vikings lose in wild-card round.
2035 — Super Bowl Run
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Record: 12–5
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Stats: 4,450 yards, 34 TD, 9 INT
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Vikings reach Super Bowl LXX, defeating the Ravens.
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Mendoza wins Super Bowl MVP.
2036
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Record: 9–8
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Stats: 3,980 yards, 24 TD, 13 INT
2037
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Record: 8–9
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Stats: 3,600 yards, 20 TD, 14 INT
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Vikings move on to a younger QB.
2038 — New York Jets era begins (Final stop)
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Record: 7–10
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Stats: 3,200 yards, 17 TD, 12 INT
2039 — Retirement Year
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Record: 5–12
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Stats: 2,450 yards, 12 TD, 9 INT
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Announces retirement at age 36.
2. New York Jets – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 3. Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 4. Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 5. New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 6. Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 7. Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 8. New Orleans Saints – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 9. Kansas City Chiefs – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 10. Cincinnati Bengals – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 11. Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 12. Dallas Cowboys – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 14. Baltimore Ravens – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 17. Detroit Lions – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 18. Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 19. Carolina Panthers – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 22. Los Angeles Chargers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 26. Buffalo Bills – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) – Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 32. Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
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NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
Fernando Mendoza career achievements projected by AI
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1× NFL MVP
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1× Super Bowl Champion
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1× Super Bowl MVP
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4× Pro Bowler
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1× All‑Pro (Second Team)
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Top‑25 all‑time in passing yards and TDs
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Franchise records for Raiders and Vikings in multiple categories
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Fernando Mendoza NFL draft: AI predicts QB's career stats, awards, more
