I recently asked for questions for this edition of the mailbag over on Twitter, if you’re interested in any mailbag questions please either leave them in the comments below and/or follow me on Twitter for a future iteration of the mailbags here: Twitter
Is there a chance Isaiah Pola-Mao misses the roster?
I don’t think Isaiah Pola-Mao is on the roster bubble, but I also don’t think he’s guaranteed a spot on the roster. Pola-Mao rose to being a starter in 2024 after playing just 211 snaps in 2022 &
2023 in his career compared to 952 in 2024 & 1081 in 2025. Pola-Mao did well initially in the NFL as a rotational safety who would play well in the dime linebacker role, an overhang safety, and spot snaps as a nickel cornerback. Pola-Mao isn’t a traditional safety, he struggles downfield in coverage, and despite having the athleticism just doesn’t seem natural for the position. Additionally, Pola-Mao saw his missed tackles spike in 2025 up to nearly 20%, and he’s also not great when asked to play downfield in man to man coverage.
Pola-Mao does well closer to the line of scrimmage, he’s able to play with a good first step, and he can attack receivers out of their break within the 4-10 yard range but beyond that is when things get concerning. At the moment, Treydan Stukes is likely the starting FS, Jeremy Chinn at SS and then the third safety is a toss up. The Raiders drafted Dalton Johnson in the 5th round, and he has a chance to take that spot. Additionally, UDFA Tanner Wall could make a push towards the roster, and Las Vegas also has Tristin McCollum. Overall, I do think Pola-Mao makes the roster, more so as a 4th safety, and it’s hard to see him fully losing the job.
Why is the nickel position always talked about as being so valuable?
Ray Aspuria broke down the Raiders nickel position and it’s value to the defense, and I highly suggest you read that article. Overall, the NFL has seen the nickel position rise in recent seasons, where in 2010 nickel defense was ran just 48% of the time, to 55% in 2019, and then 65% in 2022. Last season, the rate of nickel defense was at 71% and that will only continue to rise. NFL teams are running more 11 & 12 personnel, largely due to more athletic TE that can match on safeties/cornerbacks due to athleticism, but defenses need to match them comparative to ILB who will struggle more than likely. The NFL has seen the nickel position also become valuable due to their emphasis vs the run & slot defenders.
Teams have started to run wide zone and concepts outside of the tackle at higher rates as well, and with nickel defenders, that’s a crucial aspect for their game. Slot defenders have transitioned from undersized cornerbacks, with an average height of 5’10 3/8 in 2019 to 5’11 7/8” in 2025. Additionally, teams have started using big safeties in that role as well, largely those with athleticism & size. Teams want to add an additional defender into the mix that can seal the inside slot position, work off slot receivers, and get into the play to help defend the run. Additionally, you’ll start to see more teams work a nickel defender (bigger “box” safety) and then a true nickel defender as well (traditional slot cornerback) to help defeat both aspects of the athletic TE, slot WR, and run game.
Does Trey Zuhn have a chance at RT?
DJ Glaze is likely the starter, but Zuhn has worked at RT in camp. The career LT will need to adapt to the right side, and he’ll also need to do so anyway due to his likely chance at playing RG as well. Zuhn is athletic, he’s got quick feet, can sink his hips well, and he’s exceptionally strong. Zuhn does struggle vs speed rushers, and there’s some concerns at times when it comes to how well he can turn the corner vs twitchy pass rushers, especially with below 33” arms. Zuhn is going to work across the field at all 5 spots, being a possible 6th lineman who can come off the bench should any of the Raiders five starters go down. Zuhn does have the abilility to work vs speed rushers, as his hips/knees/feet are quick and he can kick out to the boundary, slide well, and he’s able to sit down and sink consistently.
DJ Glaze is likely the starter, though he also has traits that need to finally be put together headed into year three. Charles Grant is also an option to take the RT position, and there truly may be a 3 man competition for the spot come training camp. Glaze has played nearly 2000 snaps in his career, and I think he has a chance to put everything together adding more strength to combat his athletic flaws, and his footwork is a slight concern as well. Overall, Grant does have the best chance to take the RT position between him and Zuhn, given his experience, athleticism, and refined strength/technique. Overall, I’d expect that Zuhn is likely a better shot in the interior, but not fully out of the mix.
Roman Hemby or Dylan Laube?
Both? The Raiders could carry four running backs, but I’d expect that they only go with three leaving one of Hemby or Laube to take the role. Laube works well on special teams, but Hemby is the better pure runner. Laube is a capable kick returner, he’s able to function as a special teams gunner with 12 tackles and 4 missed tackles in the last two seasons. Additionally, Hemby is a strong runner, he’s able to work in space, has good patience, is able to run between the tackles, and his ability to shake off defenders is also intriguing. Laube hasn’t done a ton in his NFL career, and his best aspects come as a receiver, which Ashton Jeanty will likely take 90% of that workload out of the backfield. Hemby is more of a traditional runner, and may push to take snaps from Mike Washington early into the season as Washington adapts to the NFL. It’s truly a toss up, but I likely lean Hemby with a good chance for Laube to also make the roster.
Will Cousins have mid-season trade value?
Most likely not, he’d be a true half season rental, and a team would need to have him/his agent agree to waive the poison pill, if not it’s tough for a team to justify trading for him. Cousins biggest market would be a rebuilding team who wants to find a possible bridge QB, but that’s likely in 2027 instead of halfway through 2026, where Cousins would end up possibly causing a team to win more than lose. All in all, if the Raiders are to possibly trade Cousins, it’s likely in the off-season if a team is to miss on a QB or looking to add a veteran backup for a rookie.
Does Aidan O’Connell have a chance to make the 53 man roster?
I touched on this a bit ago, I don’t really expect O’Connell on the Raiders roster in 2026. There’s a chance that Las Vegas carries three quarterbacks next season, but that takes away a spot from the interior defensive line, secondary, or even a fourth runningback. O’Connell could possibly add a 5th rounder back to the Las Vegas which would be more valuable then him sitting on the roster as a third QB only active on gamedays. O’Connell is a quality backup quarterback, and a team likely does add him before the season if they are searching for a backup, similar to Las Vegas was last season in acquiring Kenny Pickett. The Raiders don’t need to carry three quarterbacks, but they can and keep one inactive on gamedays but eligible to play under the NFL’s emergency third QB ruling.
Does Klint Kubiak have a chance at Coach of the Year in 2026 or 2027?
Not in 2026, Las Vegas will likely only win 5-8 games, and despite how much that seems as an improvement to 2024 and 2025, it’s not a coach of the year candidate. More than likely, I’d expect the first time Kubiak is discussed as a possible coach of the year candidate would be in 2027. Las Vegas has a ways to go in the rebuild, but Kubiak & Spytek have done a good job at turning some things around in their first season. Kubiak should have a shot to win coach of the year eventually.
Breakout Player Predictions?
On offense I’ll take either Jackson Powers-Johnson or Jalen Nailor. Powers-Johnson is set for his first season where he’ll likely set to a position and stick there for the majority, if not all, of the season. He’s a top player to possibly develop and breakout into a higher end guard that the Raiders expected when drafting him in 2023. Powers-Johnson has all the traits to anchor the Raiders left or right guard position for possibly the next decade or more. Injuries will the biggest concern for him, and he will need to stay healthy, or there’s a real shot that Powers-Johnson isn’t on the roster in 2027. Nailor has succeeded when he’s able to be on the field in Minnesota, not due to injury, but simply due to the talent above him. Nailor will have the chance in Las Vegas to finally have possibly the majority of targets at WR, and he does well working downfield, intermediate, and can create after the catch.
Defensively, Thomas Booker seems a standout candidate. Booker showed good twitch, athleticism, and ability to work on stunts last season, and headed into a contract season, I could see a big season for him under a scheme that will prioritize his ability to work upfield in an aggressive nature and look to add more stunts and twists to the defensive line. Booker has good strength, his hands are violent, and he’s starting to show the traits where he can finally put things fully together and become a starting caliber DT in the NFL. Another name to watch for me would be Nakobe Dean, though that’s a tough pick largely because he’s proven to be a possible All-Pro caliber linebacker in his career, but injuries have set him back consistently. Dean has elite athleticism, is instinctual, triggers downhill well, and he’s an aggressive player which when on the field can turn things around drastically for the Raiders linebacker room.
Prediction for Fernando Mendoza’s first game
I believe there’s a shot for Mendoza to start week one, that said, Las Vegas paid Kirk Cousins 20 million for one season so Mendoza would need to flash far beyond initial expectations to take that role. Mendoza won’t stay out the whole season, but I also don’t think the first time he starts is after the week 13 bye only giving him 5 games of NFL experience before his sophomore season in 2027. I lean around the midseason mark, likely week 12 at the Browns or week 11 at the Broncos. Week 12 would be a quick turnaround from the Broncos away game, and I’d expect Las Vegas might want his first start to be at home which could even lean into week 10 vs the Seahawks. Ideally, the Raiders will lean Mendoza into year one, which leaves the Browns in week 12 as a good spot. Week 11 at Denver is a capable option as well, while a way tougher opponent, it comes after a home game, giving Mendoza the chance to adjust to the NFL on an away game. The Raiders schedule is tough, and the play of Kirk Cousins will also determine when Mendoza is likely on the field, though Las Vegas certainly could trot him out in week 14 at the same rate they could week 4.
