What is the story about?
The Las Vegas Raiders are set to start training camp within the next month, and as they gear up for an interesting 2026 season, a few players and/or position groups can really make or break the season. The Raiders added a plethora of talent over the last off-season, with the Raiders likely to only return starters at left & right tackle, tight end, runningback, and one wide receiver on offense. Defensively, they likely return 3 starers on the defensive line, one at safety, one at corner, and none
at linebacker. Needless, to say the Raiders are turning over the roster with talent, and for a roster that has been void of young talent in previous years, that was crucial.
I already broke down the defense, and that article may be live when you are reading this, and if not it will be soon. Additionally, I have broken down the special teams as well.
Ashton Jeanty
- Jeanty struggled in 2025, largely due to the struggles of the offensive line, but Jeanty also did have his own issues at times. Jeanty was an adequate pass protector, and if the Raiders are looking for him to be a focal point of their passing game, he’ll need to improve as a pass protector to be left in on blitz assignments, and pass protection instead of fully being a liability. Jeanty will be rushing behind a likely far improved offensive line in 2026 with better coaching, and a better offensive system. If Jeanty can look like the runningback he was at times in his rookie season, with notable standout games including vs the Bears he has the ability to add a dynamic layer to the Raiders offense. If Jeanty performs to the level of runningback that many, including myself, believed he could be out of Boise State, the Raiders offense can ease their passing attacks and work through the ground.
2025 WR Draft Picks
- Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton are set for pivotal roles in the Raiders passing game, but both will not be handed the opportunities either. The Raiders have Jalen Nailor and Tre Tucker, and both will likely have crucial roles for the Raiders offense working in the intermediate to short range, while also having key roles downfield. The Raiders will also heavily involve Jeanty, and tightend Brock Bowers but a lot of targets remain and those will go towards Thornton & Bech. Bech had his ups and downs during camp, though Thornton seemed to have turned the corner and showed strong potential after a poor rookie season. Bech is a dynamic receiver, with an ability to work in the slot, or at an X/Z role.
Bech showed some flashes in his rookie season, but he struggled to stay consistent, and overall there was a noticeable lack of initial explosion off the line of scrimmage, but he was effective in YAC situations. Thornton has the measurables, with exceptional size, speed, and agility but the former 4th rounder struggled in his route concepts, had a high drop rate, and also didn’t win contested attempts despite being 6’5, 220. The Raiders will need their high draft picks to step up, and if one, or both, can turn the corner and develop into a quality playmaker then the Raiders offense should be able to click better through the air and is better positioned for 2027.
2024 OL Draft Picks
- The Raiders selected guard Jackson Powers-Johnson in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft, and followed that up with DJ Glaze in round 3. Both have seen their ups and downs, but both are also incredibly young and have the potential to develop more with the Raiders. Glaze allowed just 3 sacks but 55 pressures in his rookie year, though in the run game he stood out as a promising young tackle working in the wide zone system. In 2025, Glaze was tied for the most sacks allowed in the NFL with 10, and he also allowed 53 pressures across roughly 45 more snaps. Glaze struggled in the run game, largely due to a gap/power system that was different from that in his rookie season, and time at Maryland.
Powers-Johnson has seen his fair shares of ups and downs, as a rookie he flashed in the run game across his time at center and both guard spots, before in 2025 being forced to guard and also struggling in the run game. Powers-Johnson, despite his strength isn’t a natural fit for the power system and does better when able to tap into his athleticism and work in a wide zone concept. He’s also dealt with injuries, and staying healthy will be crucial. The Raiders have wide open competitions at both guard spots, and Glaze isn’t guaranteed a starting option either. Both day two selections are just 23 years old, and the sky is the limit for both of them in terms of molding technique, athleticism, and NFL comfort. The Raiders will be back in a wide zone system, which will benefit both in the run game, and Las Vegas is banking on their being development under new OL coach Rick Dennison.
2025 OL Draft Picks
- Similar to 2024, the Raiders spent two third round picks in 2025 on guard Caleb Rogers and tackle Charles Grant. Both saw a cup of coffee in 2025, but they may be in line for bigger 2026 roles. Rogers is among those in the competition with Powers-Johnson, Spencer Burford, and Jordan Meredith and the 25 year old has a ton of upside with his raw power and athleticism, but he’ll need to land more technique and learn to work in a new system. Grant is likely more of a projection to play in 2027, but if there’s struggles with DJ Glaze it’s hard to not think Grant will step into the role immediately, or if an injury occurs to either Glaze or left tackle Kolton Miller he’s the first one up. The Raiders need to see if both can contribute in 2026, or at least show signs of development to be pieces of the offensive line in 2027.
Klint Kubiak & Rick Dennison
- Similar to Rob Leonard, everything comes down to the man at the helm. Klint Kubiak was an adequate play caller in New Orleans, largely dealing with injuries to his offensive line, poor quarterback play, and regression at wide receiver and runningback. There was flashes, and the Saints run game was among the top in most efficiency metrics. In Seattle, Kubiak obviously made his biggest strides leading a top rushing and passing offense, while WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba won offensive player of the year. The Raiders are banking on Kubiak being a similar style of play caller in Las Vegas, but the change from offensive coordinator to head coach can impact that greatly, as the Raiders have seen before. Additionally, Kubiak brings over OL coach Rick Dennison, who will make a big impact for Las Vegas on the offensive line. While a top of the line unit may not be likely, he should help the development of those above, and others.
