The Las Vegas Raiders still have a little over 3.5 months till their week one matchup vs the Miami Dolphins at 4:25 EST on September 13th. The Raiders have a series of camp battles to keep an eye on over the next few months prior to their roster cuts, it’s only May but things can unfold pretty quickly as to who the starters will end up being for the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders will see at least a few new starters from this time last year after parting ways with receiver Jakobi Meyers at the trade
deadline, trading QB Geno Smith to the Jets in March, and letting Alex Cappa, Dylan Parham, and Stone Forsythe who started at LT, LG, and C last season walk in free agency. The Raiders offensively rank near the bottom of the NFL for returning snaps, which for a 3-14 team should be the case. These predictions aren’t for the full season, but what I predict the starting lineup is come week 1 against the Dolphins.
Quarterback: Kirk Cousins
This battle is the biggest one to watch throughout camp, Las Vegas selected Fernando Mendoza first overall and the 22 year old will likely push for the Raiders starting quarterback position. Las Vegas paid Cousins 10 million in 2026, and another 10 million in 2027 and it’s hard to see a path where he’s not the starter come week 1. Cousins has experience with Andrew Janocko & Klint Kubiak from his time with the Vikings, and Las Vegas will likely search to have Cousins play a high level to entice a possible trade in 2026. Mendoza likely will take over the Raiders starting QB position at some point this season, and the obvious time comes after the bye week where Mendoza would have 4-5 games of fully starting and a week to prepare as the starter. Mendoza would likely need to be incredibly far along to take the spot from Cousins in week 1.
Runningback: Ashton Jeanty
There’s no real battle here for the Raiders, Jeanty struggled at times in his rookie season, largely due to a near historically bad offensive line in terms of run blocking. Jeanty despite having 3.8 yards per carry, still ranked top 5 in elusiveness rating, forced missed tackles, broken tackles, yards after contact, yards after contact per attempt, breakaway rate, and had 1321 yards from scrimmage with 10 total touchdowns. Jeanty will see a massive role in the Raiders offense under Klint Kubiak who’s focal point will be on the running game, and with increased run blocking up front, Jeanty should have a plethora of success. Jeanty will also likely see his total touches come down a touch from 321 to help preserve his legs, and increase the workload for 4th round rookie Mike Washington Jr
Wide Receivers: Jack Bech, Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor (slot)
I’d argue the Raiders wide receiver room is pretty set at the top three, but their 4, 5, and possibly 6th receiver spots are the real competition between Dont’e Thornton, Malik Benson, Dareke Young, Chase Roberts, Shedrick Jackson, and Corey Rucker. 2025 2nd rounder Jack Bech has the physical tools to be a highly refined and capable receiver, very similar to that of Jakobi Meyers. Bech, who turns 24 in December stands at 6’2, 215 and while he doesn’t have the makeup of a true X receiver he’ll likely play that “role” for the Raiders with his size, physicality, and ability to work across the middle in short and intermediate zones. Bech only logged 20 receptions, 224 yards, and 0 TD last season but averaged 3.5 YAC/reception, hauled in 5 of his 9 contested catch targets, and had a 4.8% drop rate (1 drop). Kubiak and Spytek have spoke highly of Bech, and his makeup to be a consistent chain mover with good YAC, tough hands, and consistency should put him in an excellent spot to eclipse 700 yards in year two, despite his lack of long speed to be a true downfield playmaking threat.
The Raiders lack of deep speed with Bech is made up for with Jalen Nailor & Tre Tucker. Nailor, who signed a 3 year deal this off-season worth 35.3 million is someone Las Vegas is certainly pivoting towards being a focal point for the room. Nailor, just 27 years old has a career 69 receptions, 1066 yards, and 11 TD which doesn’t scream 11.7 million a year, however he’s excelled when in replacement of Jordan Addison & Justin Jefferson for the Vikings. Nailor has a career average depth of target at 12.8 yards, which ranks 22nd in the NFL since 2022, he’s hauled in 63% of his contested catch targets (12/19), and also has a career average of 5.5 YAC/reception. Nailor is an explosive playmaker, he works best as a Z or big slot, and should be a pivotal point for the Raiders offense to create misdirection, designed looks, and play downfield as a pivotal playmaker.
Despite his 4.5 40, Nailor has been clocked over 22 miles per hour routinely, and has an explosive first 10 yards which allow him the ability to get open quickly downfield while being a nuanced route runner. Additionally, Tre Tucker will anchor the Raiders true Z, despite his well below average size at 5’9, 180. Tucker, who’s just 25 has true 4.3 speed, and has improved each season since his rookie year in 2023. Tucker logged 57 receptions, 696 yards, and 5 TD in 2025 despite poor QB play that limited him heavily from likely 800-1000 yards. Tucker has seen success working the intermediate aspects of the field, though he’ll likely also be a downfield threat in 2026 for Klint Kubiak. Tucker is refined, he does need to reduce the drops that spiked in 2025, but he’s a YAC threat and should be good on designed looks to move the chain. It’s not an elite receiver room, and it’s not really a top 2/3 of the league room either, but the Raiders have a versatile group of weapons who paired with Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers, and Michael Mayer should be able to be capable enough to move the chains.
Tight End: Brock Bowers
I mean do I need to discuss this one, Bowers is the top target for the Raiders. The 2x Pro Bowler, should easily see a chance at 1400+ yards this year if he stays healthy. Bowers will move across the field for Las Vegas, similar to Jaxson Smith-Njigba in Seattle last year. The Raiders third year tight end excels at YAC, is able to haul in contested catches, and overall has the makings of potentially a top 5 tight end in NFL history.
Left Tackle: Kolton Miller
Again, I don’t think I need to discuss this one much. There’s been this notion that Miller has suddenly became highly injury prone despite him playing 1000 snaps in all but two seasons (2023, 2025) where in 2023 he suffered a shoulder injury, and 2025 saw him suffer an extreme high ankle sprain with ligament damage. Miller has been a rock at LT for the Raiders, he’s never been a pro bowler, but he should have been. Miller turns 31 in September, and prior to injury in 2025 had allowed 0 sacks, a hit, and 3 pressures across his 152 PBLK snaps with 4.7 YPC lead blocking. Miller excelled back in 2024 under a wide zone running system, similar to that with Jon Gruden, and while he’s never been an elite run blocker, he’s done best when able to get into space. Should Miller get hurt in 2026, then a conversation surrounding his future makes sense, if not he’ll maintain his role as the Raiders LT for possibly another decade.
Left Guard: Jackson Powers-Johnson
Powers-Johnson started at left guard for majority of his rookie season, and it was a highlight for him. He moved to center when injuries occurred, and then went back to left guard where he’s likely to be a guard for the majority of the near future. Las Vegas put Powers-Johnson on the right side in 2025, and he can play both spots which allows him a chance to be a plug and play starter at either side. Given my projection at RG, I think the fit for Powers-Johnson at LG makes more sense, and you’ll see why later on. Powers-Johnson isn’t an elite pass protector, he struggled at times in 2025, and in 2024 as well but he wins as a run blocker. He’ll get back into an offensive system that allows him to play in space, get to the open field, and work as an athletic mover which Las Vegas drafted him to be. At just 23 years old, the potential for Powers-Johnson to be a franchise anchor on the Raiders offensive line is clear, but he’ll need to stay healthy first.
Center: Tyler Linderbaum
The Raiders made him the highest paid C in NFL history, and not by a close margin either. Linderbaum is an elite center, he’s incredibly smart, and while there’s some struggles at times in pass protection he’s the best run blocker at the position. He’ll be the best center the Raiders have had stemming back to Rodney Hudson, and possibly even before then.
Right Guard: Caleb Rogers
This is why I slotted Powers-Johnson on the left side, and as someone who wasn’t overly fond of Rogers as a third rounder, he did surprise me in 2025. Las Vegas has competition for guard with Rogers, Spencer Burford, Jordan Meredith, and Trey Zuhn battling out for one spot most likely. I project Zuhn to take a “redshirt” season and develop while being the first man off the bench at C & RT. Rogers has just 250 snaps under his belt, which with the experience of Burford at nearly 2500 snaps in his career may be a tough uphill battle, but the former 3rd rounder has the traits. Rogers is powerful, he has good quickness, and he does well when working in space. Rogers never fit the Raiders attempts to put him as a gap blocker, and he does need to improve as a pass protector overall, but the run game aspects will be the focal point and his way to starting time. Rogers has good strength to pair with his athleticism, he’s smart, and his best play has come on the right side, which is why I project him here. Rogers struggled at LT and LG in college, moved to RT and became a standout at the Big 12 level. Rogers had his ups and downs in 2025 with Las Vegas, as did everyone on the offensive line, well offense actually, and team as a whole. He’s 24 years old, has to develop some core aspects but I expect him to give a good push to start.
Right Tackle: DJ Glaze
I know Raiders fans want Charles Grant to start at RT, and I want to see Grant on the field as well. It’s worth noting that Kolton Miller has 0 guaranteed money on his contract following the 2026 season, and he could very well be a possible trade candidate to allow Grant the chance at being the starting LT for the future. Grant has traits, he’s powerful, has a wrestling background, and understands natural leverage, body movement, and how to utilize his frame to his advantage. Glaze struggled heavily in 2025, though he did see his pressure rate allow drop but also gave up 10 sacks compared to 3 the year before. Glaze isn’t guaranteed his spot on the right side, but comments from Klint Kubiak indicate he’ll likely need to struggle heavily to lose the spot. Glaze has a career 1990 snaps, won’t turn 24 till August, and he’s a refined run blocker. The struggles in pass protection come with average footspeed, average bend, and overall average athleticism in general, but his ability to win at RT comes with strength and technique which Las Vegas will continue to develop. There was issues in 2025, but he’s a year removed from a strong rookie season & playing nearly 2000 snaps prior to turning 24 at tackle is a spot that not many in the NFL can accomplish.
