What is the story about?
The Las Vegas Raiders have overhauled their roster heading into the 2026 season, and there’s a new wave of talent for Las Vegas this season from young standouts to veterans, and budding second year players. A look at a few Raiders that could sneak their way into the roster.
I already touched on EDGE Cian Slone & WR Shedrick Jackson, so check those out as well.
T Dalton Wagner
- I really like the odds for Dalton Wagner this season, the former UDFA finally made his first NFL appearance late in the 2026 season but he should have a chance at his first initial 53 man roster in his fourth NFL season. Wagner, 27, is primarily a left tackle but has some experience working on the right side as well which will be crucial for his chances at the immediate roster. Wagner is a capable depth tackle, and Las Vegas currently only has 3 tackles that are clear to make the roster in Kolton Miller, DJ Glaze, and Charles Grant. Wagner’s biggest competition is a natural roster spot, along with UDFA Isaiah Jatta but his experience in the NFL for the last four seasons could give him a good chance at the roster.
T Isaiah Jatta
- Jatta ended his college career strong at BYU, and he’s an incredible athlete which does play in his favor. Jatta has experience working on the left and right side, and his technique is advanced. A large reason for his fall to undrafted free agent came with the limited experience, along side a high rate of penalties (11) to end his college career in 2025. Jatta has the ability to play both tackle spots, and for a fourth tackle that is crucial. Unlike Wagner, who’s likely limited to being a full backup LT, Jatta can provide the Raiders with a stable floor at both spots should more than one tackle go down. The biggest question, for Jatta & Wagner, is if the Raiders are comfortable with Trey Zuhn at LT, then there’s a hard path forward for a 4th tackle.
WR Chase Roberts
- Roberts is likely the most traditional “X” receiver the Raiders have, a sign of Klint Kubiak’s nonconventional offensive system. At 6’4, 200 Roberts was a previous potential round 4-6 receiver but a 2025 season that saw his contested catch rate fall, drops spike, and poor athletic testing he landed as an undrafted free agent. The Raiders paid Roberts the 2nd most UDFA money in their class, and 3rd most for a WR this cycle. He’s coming off back to back seasons with 50+ receptions, 800+ yards, and 5+ touchdowns, and while he’s not one to burn defenders downfield, Roberts can operate as a functional intermediate receiver with good route running but the drop issues will need to be sorted. The Raiders WR room could be sorted already, though if an injury or surprise struggle occurs, Roberts has a good chance.
WR Brandon Johnson
- Johnson is someone I note for one reason, connections. While I believe he’ll land on the practice squad, Johnson does have good connections to the Raiders staff. In 2022, he played for the Broncos hauling in 6 receptions, 42 yards, and a touchdown on a staff that consisted of Klint Kubiak, and Raiders WR coach Zach Azzanni. Johnson played for the Broncos, and Azzanni, again in 2023 with 19 receptions, 284 yards, and four touchdowns before falling the receiver coach to Pittsburgh for 2024-2025 where he only logged 9 yards. Johnson is a physical receiver at 6’2, 195, and he’s a traditional big slot/Z receiver. While I don’t think he can push for the roster, and it would take an injury to someone such as Dont’e Thornton, Dareke Young, or others, he’s someone I can see getting a call into the season.
RB Roman Hemby
- I don’t know if this is a sleeper, more than someone I think will get more attention that initially discussed. I’m a fan of Mike Washington Jr, but there’s a few things the 4th rounder needs to work on, notably his ball security and ability to create for himself. If Washington struggles out of the gate, there’s a strong chance Dylan Laube (someone I could have touched on here) or Hemby get a chance into the RB2 role. Hemby is coming off a 2025 season with 230 attempts, 1120 yards, and 7 scores which were all career highs outside of touchdowns. He’s shown the ability to be a good receiver, and he’s a capable runningback that can develop into a consistent RB2/RB3 type in the NFL. Hemby isn’t someone I would write into 53 man rosters, but he’s not someone I’d assume is left off either.
DT Treven Ma’ae
- The Raiders interior defensive line could be sorted as is with Thomas Booker, Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu, Tonka Hemingway, JJ Pegues, and one of Gary Smith/Benito Jones/Brandon Cleveland but if things get interesting, or an injury occurs, Ma’ae projects as one of the first in the room to step in. Ma’ae is exceptionally versatile, with nearly identical experience at 3, 2, 4, and 5 technique through his college career. The 6’5, 298 pound defensive tackle flashed in pre-season last year, and if he does so again it could be hard to keep him off the roster especially with his initial athleticism, versatility, and power. The Raiders interior defensive line is going to be asked to do a lot, and play in a ton of schemes, which Ma’ae’s versatility could play a big part in.
ILB Xavian Sorey Jr
- Ironically, a teammate of Quay Walker & Nakobe Dean’s at Georgia, Sorey may have a chance to take a snap with them again in Las Vegas. The former Georgia linebacker enjoyed success the last two years at Arkansas with 180 tackles, 17 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 5 PBU. Sorey is athletic, he diagnoses the run well, and there’s struggles in coverage but he’s been a sound tackler who uses his frame (6’2/220), athleticism, and initial movement skills downhill well. Additionally, Sorey has some experience on special teams which will be the biggest path for him to make the 53 man roster. Sorey is young, and an undrafted free agent, but linebacker often sees among the highest rates for UDFA’s to make the initial roster, and if he can play on special teams while flashing traits on defense, there’s a good chance. Las Vegas is going to carry Walker/Dean, Cody Lindenberg, Tommy Eichenberg, and Segun Olubi on the 53 man roster and a 6th linebacker is tough, but if Sorey makes it hard to leave him off things change.
CB Decamerion Richardson
- A 4th rounder is far from a shock, but I think Richardson is getting overlooked at the moment. The 6’2, 195-pound cornerback is an athletic monster, and he’s developed over the last two years even if he hasn’t seen the field since 2024. Richardson’s rookie year was rough with a 65% completion rate (30/42), 459 yards, and 3 TD allowed for a 119.7 QBR while adding just 3 PBU. Richardson was relegated to a special teams role in 2025 playing just 13 defensive snaps. Heading into year three, it seems as if Richardson may already be on the way out but he very likely would land with another team off pure athleticism and upside. The special teams value in 2025 wasn’t bad with 10 tackles, and just 3 missed tackles, but the Raiders are also deep at cornerback. Eric Stokes, Taron Johnson, Darien Porter, Hezekiah Masses, and Jermod McCoy all figure to make the roster and if Las Vegas doesn’t want to carry 6, then the room is solidified, but Richardson has a chance, and he’ll have competition but I think he ends up on the roster but at the very bottom.
CB Caleb Offord
- Offord had a very up and down college career starting at Notre Dame, and ending at Kennesaw State. His final season was impressive with 47 tackles, 7 TFL, an INT, 12 PBU, and 2 FF while adding 2 touchdowns as well. Offord is physical, he’ll play through the whistle, and he’s above average in size and length at 6’2/202. Offord played well vs Indiana, a game that he was targeted 6 times allowing 2 receptions with a PBU and dropped interception. Similar to Richardson, Offord will have to push for the roster spot if one exists, and they’ll both have competition, though I’d bank on Offord eventually starting a few NFL games down the line given his blend of athleticism, length, and natural instincts at the position. The Raiders are deep at CB for the first time, in well a long time, and Offord may not have a chance but he’s not someone to write off either, and I’d expect him to flash for a UDFA.
