The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off a challenging 2025 season, finishing with a disappointing 3-14 record. Expectations were sky-high, fueled by the arrival of Pete Carroll and optimistic projections from the national media.
However, Carroll's tenure was cut short, as he was dismissed the day after the season wrapped up. Despite the setbacks, there's a silver lining for the Raiders: they've secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The buzz is that the Raiders will likely use this top pick to draft Fernando Mendoza. But that's just one of the avenues available to general manager John Spytek to revitalize the team. The Raiders have been recognized for their impressive offseason resources, topping a list that evaluates teams based on their draft capital and cap space.
John Spytek's Strategy for the Raiders' Rebuild
It's no secret that the Raiders have their work cut out for them this offseason. The hiring of head coach Klint Kubiak marks the beginning of a new era, with Kubiak assembling a youthful yet seasoned coaching staff.
While the No. 1 pick garners most of the attention, the Raiders' other resources are equally significant. According to NFL.com's Zak Koeppel, the Raiders lead the league in offseason resources, thanks to their ample draft picks and cap space.
As minority owner Tom Brady and coach Klint Kubiak steer the Raiders into a new chapter, the team is in a strong position to revamp its roster. With over $90 million in cap space, the Raiders can add talent around key players like Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers, and Maxx Crosby, assuming Crosby remains with the team. Their first overall draft pick, likely used on quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana, sets the stage for a transformative offseason.
Koeppel highlights the Raiders' ranking as second in both cap space and draft capital, providing multiple paths to strengthen the roster. While there are numerous areas in need of improvement, Spytek aims to focus on building through the draft rather than splurging on free agents. However, with their cap space, they can target a couple of high-impact free agents such as Tyler Linderbaum, Devin Lloyd, John Franklin-Myers, and Braden Smith, while also bolstering their depth.
Spytek plans to leverage the draft to infuse young talent into the team, holding nine picks from his first rookie class and potentially more if he trades strategically. After presumably selecting Mendoza, Spytek will have nine additional picks to further shape the roster.
If the Raiders can execute their strategy effectively in both free agency and the draft, they could emulate the rapid turnarounds seen by teams like the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and Jacksonville Jaguars, who thrived under new leadership. The Raiders are poised for a significant transformation, and this offseason could be the catalyst for a bright future in Las Vegas.