The Raiders finished just 3-14 last season, earning the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. As a result, Las Vegas underwent one of the league’s busiest offseasons. The franchise drafted the quarterback it hopes will lead the team into the future, hired an entirely new coaching staff, traded away star edge rusher Maxx Crosby, handed out a league-high $236.2 million in guaranteed money during free agency, and then saw the Crosby trade reversed after the Ravens failed his physical.
The result is a roster that looks surprisingly competitive on paper. However, it’s fair to wonder whether the Raiders would have spent quite as aggressively if they had known Crosby’s contract would ultimately remain on their books. While the organization may have preferred the draft capital from the original deal, there’s no question that having Crosby on the roster makes the 2026 Raiders a significantly better football team.
Leading the new era in Las Vegas is first-time head coach Klint Kubiak. After helping guide the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title as offensive coordinator, Kubiak became one of the most sought-after coaching candidates on the market. Like many coaches from the Shanahan tree, he brings a modern, play-action-heavy offensive system designed to maximize efficiency and create explosive plays. His arrival injects much-needed excitement into a Raiders offense that struggled to generate consistency or big plays last season.
Joining him as offensive coordinator is Andrew Janocko, who previously served as Seattle’s quarterbacks coach under Kubiak. While Kubiak is expected to retain play-calling duties, Janocko will play a key role in developing the quarterbacks and helping shape the offensive game plan.
On defense, the Raiders promoted Rob Leonard to defensive coordinator after three seasons with the organization. Originally hired as the defensive line coach in 2023, Leonard added run game coordinator responsibilities in 2025 before earning this promotion. During his time with the Raiders, the defense has primarily operated out of a 3-4 base with multiple fronts and personnel packages. Now that he’s running the entire unit, it will be interesting to see whether Leonard establishes a distinct defensive identity of his own.
Veteran coach Joe DeCamillis takes over as special teams coordinator. Most recently, he served as associate head coach and special teams coordinator at South Carolina, but he brings three decades of NFL special teams experience to Las Vegas. His extensive background should provide stability to a phase of the game that often gets overlooked but can have a significant impact on close contests.
General manager John Spytek has been aggressive since taking over in 2025, transforming a franchise that had spent years stuck in mediocrity into one with a clear direction. The Raiders remain firmly in rebuilding mode, but for the first time in a long time, there appears to be a genuine plan in place. The rebuild is not yet complete, but there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel for Raiders fans.
Quarterbacks (26th)
I’ll start this section with a disclaimer: I’m not quite as high on Fernando Mendoza as many others seem to be. Early in the draft process, I had him ranked as my QB2, slightly closer to Ty Simpson at QB3 than to Dante Moore at QB1, obviously before Moore announced his return to college. I understand the appeal. Mendoza is a Heisman Trophy winner, a national champion, and by all accounts a leader with strong character, a great work ethic, and the ability to elevate a locker room culture.
From my perspective, though, I can only evaluate what I see on the field. What I saw was a great college quarterback and a good NFL prospect. He’s absolutely worthy of being a first-round pick, but I’m not convinced he would’ve been worthy of the No. 1 overall selection in most draft classes. Comparing him to the quarterback-heavy 2024 class, I view him much closer to the Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy, and Bo Nix tier than the Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye tier that went first, second, and third overall.
With that said, in this draft class and in this situation, Mendoza was absolutely the pick I would’ve made if I were the Raiders. There’s no criticism from me for selecting him at No. 1 overall. I simply don’t see him as the can’t-miss, instant franchise-changing quarterback that some fans do.
I do think he’s already a better quarterback than Kirk Cousins, but it appears the Raiders intend to let the veteran open the season as the starter while Mendoza develops behind him. I don’t have a problem with that approach, provided we see Mendoza get meaningful playing time before the end of the year. The arrangement benefits both players. Cousins gets an opportunity to rebuild some of his value and potentially earn another starting opportunity elsewhere in the future, while Mendoza gets to learn from a veteran with over a decade of NFL experience.
Behind those two, Aidan O’Connell remains a solid depth option. He’s shown his limitations when asked to start, but he’s also accumulated valuable game experience and is an excellent QB3. While he’s not guaranteed a roster spot, it would make sense to keep him behind an aging veteran and a rookie quarterback. Rounding out the room is Jacob Clark, an undrafted free agent from Missouri State. Clark is an intriguing developmental prospect, but he’s far more likely to land on the practice squad than seriously challenge for a spot on the 53-man roster.
Running Backs (18th)
While the Raiders rank just 18th in my running back rankings, Ashton Jeanty has a legitimate case to be considered one of the top 10 running backs in football. After being selected sixth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, his rookie season was somewhat disappointing from a statistical standpoint. He failed to reach 1,000 rushing yards and finished with just five rushing touchdowns.
However, the underlying metrics paint a much more encouraging picture. Watching Jeanty play, he looked every bit like an elite NFL running back, even if the production didn’t always reflect it. Poor run blocking certainly didn’t help, and neither did the game scripts. The Raiders spent much of the season playing from behind, forcing them to abandon the run and lean more heavily on the passing game. Entering 2026, I have very few concerns about Jeanty as a player, and I’m less worried about his situation than I was a year ago.
The reason this group ranks only 18th isn’t because of Jeanty, nor is it because of the offensive line, which isn’t reflected in this positional ranking. The issue is the depth behind him. Fourth-round rookie Mike Washington Jr. currently projects as the primary backup, but he was one of my least favorite running back prospects in this draft when it came to immediate contributions. Washington is an outstanding athlete, but he showed very little refinement as a runner at Arkansas. I like him as a developmental project, but I’m not comfortable with him handling significant RB2 snaps as a rookie.
Behind him is Dylan Laube, a sixth-round pick in 2024 who has managed to stick around despite spending most of his career buried on the depth chart. Laube’s skill set is heavily geared toward the passing game, and he profiles almost exclusively as a receiving back. He should carve out a role this season, but he doesn’t offer the complete skill set teams typically want from a true backup running back. Chris Collier currently sits behind Laube on the depth chart, but he has just 12 career rushing yards and didn’t play a single snap last season. I don’t expect him to make the final roster, and if he does, his primary value will likely come on special teams.
Ironically, the player I would most trust in the RB2 role isn’t currently projected there at all. That player is Roman Hemby. Despite going undrafted this year, Hemby was a relatively polished runner at Indiana alongside Fernando Mendoza. He lacks high-end athletic traits, which likely capped his draft stock, but he understands the position and does the little things well. His ceiling may not be particularly high, but if he earns a roster spot, he could provide the dependable power-back presence this depth chart lacks. In that scenario, Washington could operate as a change-of-pace option while Laube handles passing-down duties.
Ultimately, Ashton Jeanty keeps this running back room from ranking much lower. The problem is that behind him, there are more questions than answers. If Jeanty misses time, or even just misses a drive, the Raiders will be relying on a collection of unproven and highly specialized backs. That’s enough uncertainty to keep this group in the bottom half of the league despite having a potential star at the top.
Weapons (30th)
Wide Receivers (31st)
While the previous two position groups were built around major investments in Fernando Mendoza and Ashton Jeanty, wide receiver is a room the Raiders have largely ignored in recent years, at least when it comes to big name acquisitions.
Their biggest addition was Jalen Nailor in free agency. He isn’t a household name, but he may be asked to function as the WR1 in Las Vegas. A sixth-round pick in 2022, Nailor spent his entire rookie contract with the Vikings, primarily serving as a depth receiver before eventually earning a starting role. Even then, he remained behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in the pecking order. He’s never been asked to carry a passing offense for an extended period, but he did have opportunities to step up when Jefferson and Addison missed time over the last two seasons. During those stretches, Nailor showed enough flashes to justify taking a chance on him. I like the signing, but asking him to become a true No. 1 receiver is still a major leap.
The other candidate for that role is Tre Tucker, who quietly broke out last season. Tucker finished just shy of 700 receiving yards and played more than 500 snaps than any other Raiders wide receiver. Realistically, he’s probably the best receiver on the roster right now, but he doesn’t fit the traditional WR1 mold. His game is built around speed and vertical explosiveness, although he did show a more diverse route tree last season than he had previously. Tucker’s breakout moment came in Week 3 against the Commanders when he exploded for eight catches, 145 yards, and three touchdowns. The problem is that he never reached 100 receiving yards again and scored just two touchdowns over the final 16 games. He’s a dangerous big-play threat capable of changing games, but he’s also a somewhat streaky producer. Ideally, he’s a complementary weapon rather than the focal point of an offense, and the Raiders are hoping Nailor can help prevent him from being forced into that role.
The third starting spot will likely belong to Jack Bech. The second-round pick struggled to consistently get on the field as a rookie under Pete Carroll, ultimately being outsnapped by fourth-round selection Dont’e Thornton Jr. Despite the smaller workload, Bech still outproduced Thornton statistically. I like Thornton’s upside, and the fact that he earned playing time over a higher-drafted player was impressive. However, with a new coaching staff in place, all signs point toward Bech receiving the opportunity many expected him to have as a rookie.
Dareke Young followed the offensive coaching staff from Seattle, but his primary value has always come on special teams rather than offense. He provides depth at wide receiver while also contributing as a returner and coverage-team player. Sixth-round rookie Malik Benson is another intriguing name. I initially viewed him as a player who could earn touches on gadget plays and manufactured opportunities after the catch, but reports out of camp suggest he’s impressed as a vertical threat. That’s worth monitoring, especially if the Raiders look to move Tucker into a more versatile receiving role.
Beyond those players, the depth chart is filled with fringe NFL talent. Shedrick Jackson, the great-nephew of Bo Jackson, is an intriguing athlete who always seems to find himself on the roster bubble. Phillip Dorsett II brings veteran experience but has struggled to stick on active rosters in recent years. Chase Roberts, E.J. Williams Jr., Jonathan Brady, and recent addition Brandon Johnson will all face an uphill battle to earn roster spots.
There are plenty of NFL-caliber players in this room, which is why the group isn’t completely devoid of optimism. The problem is at the top. Very few wide receiver rooms in the league have less proven high-end talent than the Raiders. There are several intriguing WR2, WR3, and WR4 types here, but no clear WR1. Until someone proves capable of filling that role, it’s difficult to rank this group any higher than 31st in the NFL.
Tight Ends (2nd)
While the wide receiver room struggles with a lack of top-end talent, the tight end room certainly does not. Brock Bowers is already one of the elite tight ends in the NFL and arguably the most important skill-position player on the Raiders’ roster. What makes Bowers especially valuable is his versatility. He can line up in-line, in the slot, in the backfield, or even as a true outside receiver. That flexibility helps compensate for the shortcomings of the wide receiver room, but it also places additional pressure on the rest of the tight end group to handle more traditional tight end responsibilities.
Michael Mayer has been an important part of that equation. A highly regarded second-round pick in 2023, Mayer has settled into a complementary role behind Bowers and has performed admirably. While Bowers is often deployed as a receiving weapon, Mayer handles much of the dirty work as an in-line blocker and traditional tight end. The pairing allows the Raiders to maximize Bowers’ strengths while still maintaining balance in their offensive personnel packages. The concern with Mayer is availability. He has missed time throughout his career, including a mysterious six-game absence during the 2024 season that was reportedly related to off-field matters. Regardless of the reason, durability has become enough of a concern that it’s difficult to confidently project him for a full season, even in a secondary role.
That makes the depth behind him important. Ian Thomas served as the TE3 last season and appears likely to do so again in 2026. Like Mayer, Thomas is a bigger-bodied, traditional tight end whose skill set is much better suited to handling in-line duties than replicating Bowers’ role. If Mayer were to miss time, Thomas is a logical replacement. If Bowers were to miss time, however, the Raiders would face a much tougher challenge.
The organization is hoping Carter Runyon can eventually help solve that problem. The 2025 undrafted free agent is a solid athlete and valuable special teams contributor who offers receiving upside. While it’s impossible he would fully replace Bowers’ impact, he could carve out an offensive role if something were to happen to Bowers.
Albert Okwuegbunam also remains on the roster and arguably possesses the athletic profile most similar to Bowers among the reserve tight ends. Unfortunately, he has struggled to consistently earn playing time throughout his career and remains more of a theoretical option than a proven contributor.
Rounding out the room are Connor Heyward and undrafted rookie Patrick Gurd, both of whom are best described as hybrid fullback-tight end types. Heyward is expected to make the roster and should provide valuable versatility for the new coaching staff. Whether he’s lining up at fullback, tight end, H-back, or on special teams, his ability to fill multiple roles gives the Raiders additional flexibility as they build out the offense.
Ultimately, this position group goes as far as Brock Bowers takes it. He is one of the few true difference-makers at the position league-wide and helps elevate the entire offense. The depth behind him is somewhat specialized and would be tested if he missed time, but between Bowers, Mayer, and several useful complementary pieces, the Raiders have one of the stronger tight end rooms in the NFL.
Offensive Line (19th)
Offensive Tackles (18th) & Interior Offensive Line (14th)
The Raiders’ offensive line comes in ranked 19th overall. On paper, the unit is remarkably average across the board, but that ranking is the result of some highly rated players balancing out some significant question marks. This is one of the more volatile position groups on the roster and could easily emerge as either a strength or a weakness in 2026.
At tackle, Kolton Miller remains the veteran anchor of the line and a borderline Pro Bowl-caliber player when healthy. Unfortunately, he appeared in just four games last season due to injury. Simply getting Miller back on the field should provide a major boost to the offense, even before accounting for any other additions. On the opposite side, Delmar “DJ” Glaze enters his third season after originally being selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Glaze earned a starting role quickly as a rookie and has held onto it ever since, but last season was a difficult one. He allowed 10 sacks and posted below-average grades as both a run blocker and pass protector. The Raiders clearly still believe in his upside, but with a new coaching staff in place, his spot may not be quite as secure as it once was.
The depth behind the starters remains largely developmental. Charles Grant, a third-round pick in 2025, was viewed as a long-term project and saw very little playing time despite Miller’s injury absence, losing snaps to Stone Forsythe. Dalton Wagner, an undrafted free agent in 2023, played just two offensive snaps last season and could be fighting for a roster spot. Meanwhile, undrafted rookies Isaiah Jatta, Kamar Missouri, and Niklas Henning all face uphill battles to earn meaningful roles, though offensive line development can be unpredictable and one of them could emerge.
The biggest offseason addition came in the middle of the line. Tyler Linderbaum was one of the premier free agents available, a rare distinction for an interior offensive lineman. The three-time Pro Bowler started all but two games during his four seasons in Baltimore after being selected in the first round. The Ravens were unwilling to meet his contract demands, but the Raiders gladly did. Between Linderbaum’s arrival and Miller’s return from injury, Las Vegas has dramatically upgraded what may have been one of the league’s worst offensive lines in 2025.
Next to Linderbaum will be Jackson Powers-Johnson, a second-round pick in 2024 who was originally drafted as a center. Since entering the league, he has split time between center and guard, but the addition of Linderbaum should allow him to settle into a more permanent role at guard. Powers-Johnson entered the NFL as a highly regarded prospect and has been solid through his first two seasons. He hasn’t quite developed into a star, but he also hasn’t been a liability, which has made him one of the more dependable pieces on the Raiders’ offensive line. Like several players on this roster, however, injuries have already been a recurring concern.
The final projected starter is Spencer Burford, who arrives from San Francisco. Burford has made 38 starts across four seasons with the 49ers, but his performance has been inconsistent and he may be better suited as a sixth offensive lineman than a full-time starter. I don’t mind the signing as a depth addition, but if the Raiders want this unit to become a true strength, they’ll likely need either significant improvement from Burford or a challenger to emerge.
Jordan Meredith remains a capable reserve who can fill in at multiple spots, though his ceiling appears limited. Third-round picks Caleb Rogers and Trey Zuhn III are the most intriguing developmental options. Zuhn, in particular, offers valuable positional flexibility, with experience at tackle, guard, and center. That versatility could allow the Raiders to carry fewer specialist backups and create additional roster flexibility. Meanwhile, Will Putnam and Antonio Mafi both saw playing time last season but currently appear to be on the outside looking in for final roster spots. Undrafted rookie Justin Pickett profiles as more of a practice squad candidate.
Ultimately, this offensive line has enough talent to outperform its ranking, but it also carries enough risk to fall short of expectations. If Glaze takes a step forward and either Burford improves or is replaced by one of the younger options, this could become a solidly above-average unit. On the other hand, if injuries strike again or the weaker spots fail to develop, the line could once again become a major issue. For now, the Raiders have done enough to provide Fernando Mendoza and Ashton Jeanty with a better environment than they had a year ago. The foundation is in place, but the unit still feels a player or two away from becoming a true strength of the roster.
Offense (27th) – Pass Game (28th) – Run Game (22nd)
The Raiders’ offense is significantly improved from where it was a year ago, even if it still ranks just 27th overall in my preseason rankings. The foundation is in place for this unit to take a major step forward, but there is still development required at several key positions and a few glaring weaknesses that prevent it from ranking any higher.
If Fernando Mendoza proves to be the franchise quarterback the Raiders believe he can be, Ashton Jeanty takes another step forward, and the offensive line remains healthy, there is a lot to like about the long-term outlook of this offense. However, that’s a lot of projection and a lot of things that still need to go right.
To the organization’s credit, I like the direction they’ve taken. The roster has a clear plan and a collection of young building blocks that should improve with experience. In fact, I would be surprised if this offense isn’t ranked considerably higher by the time the 2027 season rolls around. For now, though, 27th feels like an appropriate placement given the current level of uncertainty.
Most of the questions revolve around the passing game. The quarterback position remains largely unproven, the wide receiver room lacks a true No. 1 target, and pass protection still has several potential weak spots. On the other hand, the running game has a chance to become the identity of this offense. With Jeanty leading the backfield and an improved offensive line in front of him, the Raiders should be able to control games on the ground.
Whether that translates into wins will largely depend on the defense. If the Raiders can keep games competitive and avoid constantly playing from behind, they’ll be able to lean on their rushing attack and play the style of football this roster is currently built to play.
Defensive Line (25th)
Interior Defensive Line (32nd)
For anyone wondering how a defensive line featuring Maxx Crosby can rank just 25th overall, allow me to introduce the interior defensive line. General manager John Spytek had plenty of holes to address this offseason, and it’s clear that defensive tackle was not a priority during this rebuilding process. As a result, the Raiders enter 2026 with what I consider the weakest interior defensive line in football by a large margin.
Last season, the primary rotation consisted of Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu, and Thomas Booker IV. On many NFL rosters, these players would be rotational contributors or depth pieces. For the Raiders, they’re again projected as full-time starters.
Butler operates primarily as the nose tackle, while Laulu and Booker handle the 3-technique responsibilities in the Raiders’ 3-4 fronts. Of the group, Laulu was the most productive pass rusher, recording four sacks last season. Booker, meanwhile, finished the year without a sack and managed just one tackle for loss. Neither player has shown the ability to consistently impact games, which is a major concern for a unit that already lacks top-end talent.
One of the more interesting names in the room is Tonka Hemingway. The fourth-round rookie managed four sacks in a rotational role last season and flashed enough pass-rushing ability to warrant further development. At the very least, he has a chance to carve out a role as a designated interior pass rusher. Sixth-round pick JJ Pegues was drafted as a hybrid defensive tackle and fullback, but he failed to make much of an impact in either role during his rookie season. With his offensive experiment seemingly over, the Raiders will be hoping he can focus exclusively on defense and develop into a useful contributor. The lone veteran addition to the room is Benito Jones, who arrives from Miami. Jones has starting experience and should compete for the backup nose tackle role, but he struggled significantly last season and shouldn’t be counted on for a major workload.
Seventh-round rookie Brandon Cleveland is another nose tackle who will likely compete with Jones for a roster spot, although he could ultimately land on the practice squad. Beyond them, Treven Ma’ae, Gary Smith III, and Laki Tasi round out the depth chart as largely unproven options. If I had to pick one surprise contributor from this group, it would be Tasi. The former International Player Pathway Program participant has reportedly generated some buzz during camp and possesses intriguing physical tools. Whether that translates into meaningful production remains to be seen, but there are at least some reasons for optimism.
Unfortunately, optimism is in short supply for the position group as a whole. There are no proven stars in this room, very few proven contributors, and arguably not a single player who would be viewed as an above-average starter elsewhere in the league. That’s why this unit ranks 32nd among NFL interior defensive lines, and frankly, it isn’t particularly close to climbing any higher. Maxx Crosby may be one of the league’s premier defenders, but even he can only do so much to compensate for the talent deficiencies inside.
Edge Rushers (6th)
While the interior defensive line is a clear weakness, the edge room no longer falls into that category thanks to the return of Maxx Crosby. There are still legitimate concerns surrounding Crosby’s health. He missed significant time last season, and the Ravens’ decision to reverse their trade for him after his physical certainly doesn’t inspire confidence. Even so, when Crosby is on the field, he’s one of the premier edge rushers in football. Few defenders can impact a game the way he can, and regardless of who lines up opposite him, he remains the centerpiece of this defensive front.
That opposite edge spot belongs to free-agent addition Kwity Paye. During his time in Indianapolis, Paye established himself as a dependable, high-floor EDGE2 who can consistently provide solid play without necessarily taking over games. If Crosby were unavailable, Paye would be stretched as a team’s primary pass-rushing threat. However, as the second option across from an elite player like Crosby, he’s a perfectly serviceable starter.
The third member of the rotation is Malcolm Koonce, who has settled back into reality after a breakout campaign a few years ago. Koonce remains a streaky pass rusher capable of generating pressure in spurts, but he’s much better suited for an EDGE3 role than being relied upon as a full-time starter. Depending on Crosby’s health and workload, however, the Raiders may need more snaps from him than they’d ideally like. Las Vegas also invested a third-round pick in Keyron Crawford. It was a bit earlier than I would’ve selected him, but the situation is favorable for his development. With Crosby, Paye, and Koonce ahead of him, Crawford shouldn’t be forced into meaningful action early in the season and can instead focus on refining his game.
Beyond the top four, the depth becomes less certain. Brennan Jackson, a fifth-round pick by the Rams in 2024, is still searching for a long-term NFL home. He has a chance to make the roster, but if I were building this team, I’d be more inclined to carry an extra defensive tackle than a fifth edge rusher unless Crosby’s health becomes a concern. Jahfari Harvey and undrafted rookie Cian Slone round out the room. Slone, in particular, has reportedly impressed coaches early, but he still faces an uphill battle to secure a roster spot given the competition ahead of him.
Overall, this is a solid edge group, but outside of Crosby there’s not a lot that stands out as exceptional. Paye is reliable, Koonce is a useful rotational piece, and the younger players offer some developmental upside. The reason this unit ranks sixth among NFL edge groups is almost entirely because of Crosby’s presence. He elevates everyone around him and gives the Raiders a true game-changing defender off the edge.
The concern is obvious: if Crosby isn’t healthy, the entire outlook changes. Without him, the edge room goes from a top-tier group to a fairly ordinary one, and the defensive line as a whole could quickly become one of the weakest units in the league. Few teams are more dependent on a single defensive player than the Raiders are on Maxx Crosby, which is especially funny given they tried to trade him away.
Linebackers (20th)
The Raiders will enter 2026 with an almost entirely rebuilt linebacker room, and it should be a noticeable improvement over last year’s group, even if veterans Devin White and Jamal Adams had their moments. The additions of Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker are expected to transform this position group from a weakness into a respectable unit. That said, I’m sure some readers will be surprised to see this group rank just 20th in the league.
Dean is the player I’m more optimistic about. During his time in Philadelphia, he flashed the ability to be a quality three-down linebacker on a talented defense. The issue has been consistency and availability. Injuries have repeatedly interrupted his development, and even when healthy, he hasn’t always played at the level his flashes suggest he’s capable of reaching. There are only a handful of truly elite linebackers in today’s NFL, and Dean isn’t part of that tier, but he is a legitimate starting-caliber player with enough upside to exceed this ranking if things break right.
Walker is the player I’m considerably lower on. Personally, I wouldn’t have offered him the contract the Raiders did, especially when compared to the deal Dean received. After entering the league as a first-round pick, Walker struggled to live up to expectations in Green Bay and was widely viewed as a disappointment early in his career. To his credit, he eventually developed into a serviceable starter, but I’ve never viewed him as much more than that. I think he’ll be fine in Las Vegas, but I don’t see the impact player that the Raiders seem to believe they’re getting.
Behind the starters, Tommy Eichenberg and Cody Lindenberg return after being selected on Day 3 in recent drafts. Both players possess relatively limited athletic upside and project best as depth pieces and special teams contributors. Eichenberg saw meaningful snaps last season and showed enough that I’d be comfortable with him serving as the primary backup linebacker. That doesn’t mean I’d be excited about it, but I wouldn’t view it as a major concern either. Lindenberg, meanwhile, spent most of his rookie season on special teams. His roster spot is likely secure because of that value, and the Raiders can continue developing him defensively behind the scenes.
Segun Olubi remains the veteran depth option. Throughout his career, he’s consistently lived on the edge of NFL rosters, and that continues to be his role in Las Vegas. Cameron McGrone finds himself in a similar position after bouncing around the league and spending some time with Indianapolis last season. The final names in the room are undrafted rookies Xavian Sorey Jr. and Chris Thomas. Sorey is the more intriguing of the two. He was a player I had my eye on during the draft process, and it’s notable that he’s already listed above McGrone on the depth chart. I’d like to see him at least secure a practice squad spot and get an opportunity to develop within the organization.
Ultimately, this linebacker room is fairly representative of the position across the NFL. It features two competent starters, several depth options, and a handful of developmental players. That’s enough to make it an average unit, but not enough to push it into the upper tiers of the league. Most importantly, it should be a clear improvement over what the Raiders fielded in 2025. There may not be any stars here, but there also aren’t many glaring concerns. For a defense that still has major questions elsewhere, simply having a stable and functional linebacker group is a step in the right direction.
Cornerbacks (27th)
The cornerback room, like several other units on this roster, lacks a true star but features a collection of solid, developmental pieces. That combination ultimately defines why the Raiders rank just 27th at the position.
Eric Stokes returns as the primary outside corner and will once again be tasked with holding down the boundary. He’s not a perfect player, but he has proven capable of functioning as a competent CB2 who can handle CB1 responsibilities in a pinch. As a true top option, he’s closer to the lower end of the spectrum, but he provides stability in a role where many teams struggle to find even that.
Taron Johnson arrives as a major free-agent addition from Buffalo to man the slot, though his play has shown some decline over the past couple of seasons. Even so, he brings experience and versatility to a role that remains critical in modern defenses. With Johnson locked into the nickel spot, Darien Porter, a third-round pick from last year, is expected to start outside alongside Stokes. Porter showed flashes in an expanded role as a rookie but also endured typical growing pains for a young corner forced into significant snaps.
Former fourth-round pick Decamerion Richardson saw his role diminish significantly last season despite opportunities to carve out playing time. With a new coaching staff in place, he’ll get another chance to compete for a depth role, but he enters 2026 with his standing in the organization very much uncertain.
The Raiders also added three rookies to the room: Treydan Stukes, Jermod McCoy, and Hezekiah Masses. Stukes is the most immediate contributor of the group, though his NFL projection is somewhat flexible. While he may ultimately transition to safety, his best early fit appears to be as a slot corner, dime defender, and rotational backup. I was not particularly high on the pick, especially given the decision to invest in Taron Johnson at nickel. Still, his versatility gives him a clear path to a roster spot in year one.
McCoy is the most intriguing addition. Once viewed as a potential top-15, or even top-5, talent in the class, injury concerns pushed him all the way into the fourth round. Given that expectation, there’s no pressure for immediate production, and even a redshirt-style season would not diminish the value of the selection. That said, there have been reports that the Raiders expect him to contribute in 2026, which would be a surprise without seeing full medical clarity. If fully healthy, he would likely push for a starting role, but a limited depth role feels like the more realistic outcome as he works his way back with an eye toward 2027. Masses is a raw developmental corner whose strengths lie in zone coverage instincts and ball skills. He profiles as depth, but there’s at least a path for him to push into the rotation ahead of Richardson or even McCoy depending on how the roster sorts itself out.
Overall, this is a room the Raiders would likely prefer to carry seven players through to the 53-man roster. If forced down to six, McCoy could be a candidate for injured reserve, or Richardson could be the odd man out. Behind them, Chigozie Anusiem, Greedy Vance, Caleb Offord, and Devyn Perkins are long shots, though Anusiem offers the best special teams profile and therefore the clearest path to sticking.
There is real long-term upside in this group, particularly if McCoy develops into the player some evaluators once projected. However, in the present, the lack of a proven high-end outside corner caps the ceiling. That’s why this unit ultimately lands at 27th, even if it feels more promising on paper than that ranking might suggest.
Safeties (29th)
Jeremy Chinn anchors a safety room that still comes with a number of question marks. Chinn is a quality starter, but his reputation arguably exceeds his current production following an explosive start to his career in Carolina. He remains a dependable strong safety, but his coverage limitations are still evident, something that comes with the territory for a player best suited to playing closer to the line of scrimmage as a strong safety.
The bigger issue is who is playing alongside him. Isaiah Pola-Mao enters the season as the projected starting free safety, despite profiling more like a depth or special teams contributor. As an undrafted free agent in 2022, he has carved out a role primarily as a run defender, but his coverage grades have consistently ranked among the weakest at the position. That deficiency is manageable in a vacuum, but becomes a major problem when paired with a strong safety like Chinn who is also more comfortable near the box than deep in space. The result is a pairing that is both stylistically and functionally flawed.
The Raiders either disagree with that assessment or simply prioritized other roster issues this offseason, because the position was not meaningfully addressed unless a rookie steps in. One potential alternative is Treydan Stukes, whose versatility could allow him to play safety if needed. I was not particularly high on him as a pure safety prospect, but his skill set would at least complement Chinn more naturally than Pola-Mao does.
Behind the starters, the next option is likely fifth-round rookie Dalton Johnson. A jack-of-all-trades type, Johnson doesn’t have elite traits in any one area, but he is a steady, well-rounded safety who profiles as depth rather than a long-term starter. Tristin McCollum is another name in the mix after serving as the fourth safety in 2025 and seeing limited game action. I’ve been a fan of his effort and flashes, particularly from his time in Philadelphia, but with so many young defensive backs added to the roster, he appears to be on the outside looking in unless the Raiders opt to carry four safeties on top of Stukes.
If they do keep four, McCollum would be the most logical candidate. Otherwise, rookies Tanner Wall and Devin Lafayette round out the group, both of whom are more likely practice squad candidates than roster locks. Wall, in particular, feels like a natural fit for developmental depth if he doesn’t crack the 53-man roster.
Ultimately, Pola-Mao’s limitations in coverage, combined with the lack of established depth behind him, drag this group down significantly. Even with Chinn providing stability as a starter, the overall structure of the safety room makes it one of the weaker position groups on the roster heading into 2026.
Defense (27th) – Front Seven (23rd) – Coverage Unit (31st)
The Raiders’ offense features plenty of star power and intriguing young talent, but also enough holes and uncertainty to land at 27th in the rankings. The defense, somewhat ironically, arrives at the exact same overall ranking. Unlike the offense, however, the defensive unit is built more on solid-but-unspectacular starters and fewer glaring unknowns in the top 11, but it also lacks high-end star power outside of Maxx Crosby.
In many ways, the Raiders appear to have raised the floor of this defense over the offseason. A mix of veteran additions and developmental rookies has stabilized several positions that were major liabilities a year ago. Even so, the unit still does not project as a true strength of the roster. That outcome feels largely intentional. Completely transforming a defense in a single offseason is difficult, if not unrealistic, and the Raiders seem to have prioritized balance over a full-scale overhaul. The goal appears to be building a functional unit that can support the offense rather than carry the team outright, and in that sense, they’ve largely succeeded.
The clear strength of the defense remains the front seven, anchored by Maxx Crosby. Beyond him, the unit is built to play a bend-but-don’t-break style, relying on collective competence rather than dominant individual performances. Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard will have his work cut out for him if he hopes to turn this group into something above average, but the offseason has at least pushed the defense in a more stable and coherent direction.
Specialists (28th)
The Raiders’ special teams unit was among the worst in the NFL in 2025, and there is little indication that 2026 will represent a dramatic turnaround.
At kicker, new addition Matt Gay arrives with a strong résumé from earlier in his career, but his recent inconsistency raises real questions about whether he can stabilize the position. He may not even be guaranteed the starting job. Undrafted rookie Kansei Matsuzawa out of Hawai‘i presents a legitimate challenge. He profiles as a high-accuracy, low-power specialist and could realistically push the veteran for the role if he translates his college consistency to the NFL level.
Punter A.J. Cole remains one of the few stable pieces in the unit. While his status as the league’s top punter may have slipped slightly in recent seasons, he is still firmly above average and not a concern for this group.
At long snapper, Alex Ward arrives from the Rams as the expected starter, but undrafted rookie Tyler Duzansky is an interesting challenger. Duzansky was viewed relatively highly within the niche long snapper evaluation community and could push for the job if he proves reliable in camp and preseason action.
In the return game, Dareke Young is expected to contribute either as a primary returner or in a broader special teams role. Tre Tucker and Dylan Laube also bring return experience, giving the Raiders multiple options depending on how the roster shakes out.
Roster turnover adds another layer of uncertainty. With a wave of draft picks and free-agent additions across the roster, several established special teams contributors are now on the bubble. That will force difficult decisions about whether experience or upside is more valuable in the final 53-man roster construction.
New special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis inherits a unit that is still very much a work in progress. In many ways, he is starting from scratch in 2026, tasked with rebuilding a phase of the game that was a clear weakness a season ago. Whether that results in meaningful improvement will likely depend on how quickly the kicking competition stabilizes and how effectively he can identify reliable core contributors from a heavily reshaped roster.
Win Prediction (Over 4.5)
I understand, this was the worst team in the league last season; but the Raiders enter 2026 with a win total set at just 4.5, tied for the lowest in the NFL. Given the moves they’ve made this offseason, that number feels too low.
This is still a roster with flaws, but it is significantly improved across multiple areas. Most importantly, they’ve added a No. 1 overall pick at quarterback in Fernando Mendoza, and paired him with a veteran option in Kirk Cousins. Around them, the supporting cast has been upgraded with a mix of quality free-agent additions and young players stepping into larger roles. They also have an exciting new head coach and play caller in Klint Kubiak.
There are still questions, particularly at wide receiver and in parts of the defense, but this no longer looks like a roster devoid of direction or talent. The floor should be higher simply because the quarterback room, offensive infrastructure, and overall depth are all better than what they fielded a year ago.
From a pure results standpoint, it’s difficult to project this team back in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick. Even modest improvement from the offense, combined with a more stable roster overall, should be enough to clear the 4.5-win mark.
Ultimately, this feels like a classic case of a team whose perception is still anchored to last season’s record rather than its current construction. If Mendoza develops at all and the roster stabilizes the way it looks capable of doing, the Raiders should be closer to respectability than a four-win finish.
