What is the story about?
The Las Vegas Raiders don’t break for training camp for another 6 weeks, but their has already been positional battles to start, and to be talked about. The Raiders coming off a 3-14 season are not going to pencil in their starters, there’s a lot of youth, and with that a lot of unproven talent. The Raiders completely overhauled their offense, defense, and special teams with a projected 29th ranking in the NFL for returning snaps largely due to many Carrol veterans & defensive veterans leaving the organization
last off-season. With training cap set to break soon, some core battles on all three phases will take light.
Starting QB: Kirk Cousins (80%) vs Fernando Mendoza (20%)
Dark Horse: N/A
- The Raiders likely will need to see near complete perfect QB play from Fernando Mendoza for him to start week one over Kirk Cousins, and I doubt that will be the case. Mendoza rose his way into the first overall pick, but that isn’t without his concerns as well. Mendoza does force the ball at times, needs to learn to check the ball down, adjust to the NFL, work under center, drag his back toe consistently, avoid moving into sacks, and overall improve his QB generated sacks as well. I know that sounds like a lot of knocks on a first overall pick, and it could be, but it’s natural as a quarterback to need the time to adjust to the NFL & Las Vegas may be doing themselves, Mendoza, and others a benefit letting him learn the ropes early and learning from Klint Kubiak, Cousins, Brady, and others.
As for Kirk Cousins, it’s his job to lose, but the last battle he did lose to Michael Penix. Cousins is what he is at this point, a bottom 2-3 starting QB and a higher end backup. The veteran has a decent arm, is smart, and wins with his ability to diagnose defenses, put the ball in good windows, and utilize his experience. I doubt he starts the full season, and I’m 50/50 on even half the season but this seems to be a battle for Cousins to lose. Aidan O’Connell, while impressing per Klint Kubiak, I don’t think even has a remote shot to start and I think it’s more likely he’s off the roster than starting week one.
Rotational RB: Mike Washington (60%) vs Roman Hemby (30%) vs Dylan Laube (10%)
Dark Horse: Chris Collier (1%), Non Roster RB (9%)
- Only having 5 running backs this part of camp seems a bit non traditional in the NFL, especially for Klint Kubiak. The Raiders drafted Mike Washington in the fourth round, though I don’t think he’s a lock for the rotational RB role. Washington struggles to create his own but he’s an electric one cut runner and can truly turn any 3-4 yard run into a 20+ rush if not longer. Washington is alright as a receiver, but doesn’t provide a ton of upside while also having some core fumble issues. For a 225 pound runningback, I’d also expect to see a bit more power. With his knocks, it may be more of a battle for the RB2 position than initially talked about. Washington has a high ceiling, and he surely can be someone to turn into a 600+ yard rusher over the course of his career but the vision will need to be refined, control the ball, and run with more power.
Roman Hemby doesn’t have a high ceiling, but he’s foundational. Hemby is a decisive runner, blocks well, is an alright receiver, and while lacking long speed does show an ability to create for himself. Hemby may find a way to push for the roster which we will talk about later on. He has decent vision, but is truly a jack of all trades type runningback with a master of none skillset. Hemby can push to backup Jeanty and rotate more as a three runningback backfield by proving his immediate impact is overall better than Washington, something that isn’t discussed enough. Other than that it comes down to Laube, who I don’t see having a shot but he’s the best receiver in the bunch. Collier has a very small chance, he’s a quick decisive runner, but the others above provide more and there’s a chance the Raiders don’t like what they see and trade, sign, or claim another back.
Depth RB: Roman Hemby (30%) vs Dylan Laube (30%) vs BOTH (30%)
Dark Horse: Other (10%)
- I touched on these two a lot so far, and I just did not even 5 inches above this. Hemby is a high floor, low ceiling runningback with good instincts, limited agility & long speed, and he’s a true RB2-3 in the NFL but does provide a good floor to the room and likely will carve an NFL career off that. Laube has a limited ceiling as a runner, but is a good receiver, works on special teams, and does block well. He needs to prevent the fumble issues from affecting him in year three, and I do think there’s an equal chance it’s one of these two as it is both. As mentioned above, Las Vegas may like neither Hemby/Laube and choose to sign or claim a runningback to round out the bottom of the roster.
Fullback: Connor Heyward (80%)
Dark Horse: Patrick Gurd (20%)
- This won’t be a long conversation, but it’s one worth having. Heyward works as a hybrid FB/TE and Las Vegas will have a fullback on the roster. Heyward allows Las Vegas to carry three tight ends, and look to carry another receiver, defensive lineman, linebacker, corner, or runningback should they want too. Heyward is undersized, struggled at times when working as an inline blocker, but he does provide the ability to be a good move blocker and when working in space with run-up (as a fullback does) he is an adequate, above average fullback, and provides some receiving upside also. Cincinnati TE Patrick Gurd converted to fullback, and he’s a very strong blocker who fits the same mold as Heyward. Gurd is a quality receiver, and he’s worked in an identical role in college, with a great frame, good movement, and good blocking. I think this is Heyward’s spot to lose, but I won’t count out Gurd who did sign as a hybrid fullback, is a great athlete, and his ability to actually work as an inline TE may give him a slighter inside track than Heyward.
Depth Receivers – 3 Spots: Dont’e Thornton vs Malik Benson vs Shedrick Jackson vs Dareke Young
Dark Horse: Brandon Johnson, Chase Roberts, Phillip Dorsett
- For the sake of you guys, the readers, and me I won’t do percentages here. Man have I talked about this receiver room so many times and I will do so again. To start, I think the final 3 spots will come down to Young, Thornton, and one of Jackson/Benson. Starting with Thornton, he has all the physical traits, is a massive 6’5 with sub 4.35 speed and if developed can turn into a functional 3rd or 4th receiver in a room. That said, he struggled to create separation, adjust to the ball in the air, win contested catches, and was an adequate route runner in his rookie season, which does leave the door for a possible release this year. Benson a 6th rounder in 2026 is a true deep threat, though his added special teams value could pivot him above Jackson overall. Benson is limited due to a lack of consistency, alright route running, and overall experience.
As for Jackson, he’s been making waves in camp & plays a very similar role to that of Benson but has NFL experience, is likely a better route runner, faster, and shows more initial explosion. Jackson doesn’t have much, if any, special teams value which he’ll need to add or overcome to take a spot. Young has a connection with Klint Kubiak, he’s a physical big X option, and also provides gunner/kick returner flexibility giving him the most likely shot at the roster of this group. Brandon Johnson just signed with Las Vegas, has experience with receivers coach Zach Azzanni & head coach Klint Kubiak. The physical big body receiver does have some NFL experience, more than Young, and he could push for a roster spot that some don’t expect but practice squad is more likely. Roberts needs to refine his game, clean up drops, and become consistent which likely lands him on the practice squad.
Depth Tight End: Ian Thomas (30%) vs Carter Runyon (30%) vs BOTH (30%)
Dark Horse: Albert Okwuegbunam Jr (10%)
- Ian Thomas has been a top blocking TE in his career, but he struggled a lot in 2025, though the entire Raiders blocking assignment did so be that as it is. Thomas has never been a proven receiver, but he’ll need to provide some value comparative to his blocking to overcome a roster spot. Runyon only played less than 100 snaps in 2025, but he’s a physical, highly athletic receiving first tight end, and if he can improve the blocking he’ll have a shot at the roster. Klint Kubiak carried six tight ends/fullbacks last year and there’s a shot they do that again this year with Thomas, Runyon, Mayer, Bowers, and one of the teams two fullbacks (Heyward or Gurd). Okwuegbunam is an exceptional athlete, but in year five he’s not done much, and likely will end up on the practice squad overall as another option.
Tackle Depth: Dalton Wagner (40%) vs Isaiah Jatta (20%) vs Niklas Henning (5%)
Dark Horse: Not On Roster/None (35%)
- I don’t think the Raiders 4th tackle is on the roster, though I can also see Dalton Wagner as the option. Wagner has experience working at left and right tackle, and heading into year four he may finally make a push for the initial roster. Wagner finally saw his chance to play in 2025, and he did look capable albeit in very limited snaps, like very. Jatta is an intriguing UDFA add, he was pretty solid for BYU through his career, but he’s had just 850 snaps, logged 11 penalties, and is exceptionally raw. Jatta may push for a spot, and that is a UDFA to watch, especially with his LT/RT versatility. Henning signed from Canada, and likely will land on the practice squad. An elite athlete, Henning is extremely raw, but has good length, the ability to play four OL positions, and I truly think he can be a contributor in the NFL in 2-3 years. Lastly, there’s a very good chance the Raiders are likely looking at another teams roster to add a 4th tackle to complement the roster behind Miller, Glaze, and Grant.
Starting Guards – 2 Spots: Jordan Meredith vs Spencer Burford vs Jackson Powers-Johnson vs Caleb Rogers vs Trey Zuhn
Dark Horse: None
- I can’t leave this article in good faith not discussing this, however I did already write an entire article about this battle and you can find that linked here. I truly appreciate your support if you have already read that article and I’ll add one thing as well.
The Raiders final roster spots on the OL, which will likely be just nine deep could be solidified as is. I expect the Raiders to carry Miller, Grant, Glaze at tackle and add in Linderbaum, Burford, Rogers, Zuhn bringing them to seven total offensive lineman. After that there’s two spots which are likely occupied by at least Jackson Powers-Johnson and then a final spot to be decided between Jordan Meredith, any of the tackles above, a non rostered player, or Will Putnam. If Las Vegas wants just four true interior lineman, which I doubt, then it’s a tackle and if they want five interior lineman it’s likely Meredith who can have trade value. Truly I do think the 9th offensive lineman is not on the roster at this current moment.
