Jalen Nailor’s quiet start in Las Vegas is drawing attention, but the first two weeks point to an offense that hasn’t done him many favors.
Through two games, Nailor has only four catches, a line that looks thin next to the three-year, $35 million contract he signed this offseason with $18 million guaranteed at signing. That kind of investment brings pressure with it, and Raiders fans have every reason to wonder why the production hasn’t followed. But the early numbers suggest this is bigger than one receiver.
In Week 1, Nailor managed three catches for 27 yards in his debut, and he was already seeing targets siphoned off by Tre Tucker and Jack Bech. That matters.
It doesn’t read like a player simply failing to win his matchup. It reads like a passing game still sorting itself out.
The Raiders also came into that Miami game leaning on the run, expecting to control things on the ground. That naturally cut into the volume for the receivers.
And when the passing game did show up, it was spread thin. By Week 2, Nailor’s target share was 17.2%, with a 28% air-yard share.
Those are not loud numbers, but they are not nothing either.
The bigger problem is the overall output from the receiver group. Across those two games, Raiders wideouts combined for just nine catches, 83 yards and one touchdown.
That’s not a single-player issue. That’s an offense that hasn’t created enough for anyone outside the backfield and Bowers.
Nailor’s past also argues against panic. In Minnesota, he put up 28 catches for 414 yards and six touchdowns in 2024, then followed that with 29 catches for 444 yards and four touchdowns in 2025. He worked as a clear No. 3 behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, which means this is the first time he’s been asked to carry more of the passing load.
That’s why Brock Bowers’ return matters. If defenses have to honor Bowers underneath, it could open up more room for Nailor downfield, where his speed can actually show up. The next test comes in Week 3 against a Saints secondary that hasn’t had much explosive-play stress this season, and if Kirk Cousins finds a better rhythm distributing the ball, Nailor’s start could look a lot different.
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