Two weeks into the 2026 NFL season, the Raiders are sitting at 2-0, and there’s plenty to keep an eye on with Week 3 coming up on the road against the New Orleans Saints. That’s the immediate business. But there’s also a bigger picture taking shape, and it starts with Las Vegas’ 2027 free agency board.
The list keeps changing as more games get played, and Week 2 gave the Raiders a few more names to track. Some are rising because they’re producing. Others are there because they fit what Las Vegas may need next spring.
At wide receiver, Parker Washington made a strong case with seven catches for 98 yards against the Denver Broncos, and he did damage against Patrick Surtain II, Riley Moss, Brandon Jones and Ja'Quan McMillian. George Pickens also got back on track after a rough opener, catching six passes for 40 yards without a drop against the Washington Commanders, though he still needs one of those “wow” performances.
Josh Downs, meanwhile, took advantage of an expanded role with Alec Pierce out and delivered seven receptions for 72 yards, along with two contested catches and 24 yards after the catch. Puka Nacua didn’t play in Week 2 because of injury, and it doesn’t sound like he’ll be back soon.
His character concerns may also keep him from ever landing with the Raiders, but if the Rams ever let him get to market, Las Vegas would have to do its due diligence.
Up front, Kobie Turner is still the clear headliner in the defensive tackle group. He played 12 snaps at nose this past weekend and handled it well, finishing with four tackles, two pressures, a quarterback hit and three stops.
Gervon Dexter Sr. also kept building momentum, showing more against the run and adding pass-rush impact against the Carolina Panthers with six pressures, 0.5 sacks, a quarterback hit, two tackles and a batted pass. Jalen Redmond helped hold the Chicago Bears to 3 points, posting four tackles, a batted pass, a forced fumble, four pressures, a quarterback hit and four stops.
He’ll be a restricted free agent, but the Raiders could always match.
In the secondary, Antonio Johnson stood out for the Jaguars with six tackles against Denver, plus two pressures on safety blitzes and only two completions allowed for nine yards. His ability to play either safety spot, nickel or the edge makes him an appealing fit for what Rob Leonard is doing in Las Vegas.
Christian Izien is back playing good football in Detroit after being a big contributor for the Tampa Bay Bucs when John Spytek was there, and he showed that versatility again in Week 2 by playing 26 defensive snaps at four different positions, making two tackles and two stops while not being targeted. Brian Branch is still sidelined with injury, but once he returns, he’ll be one to monitor.
At linebacker, Christian Elliss had a busy day for the Patriots with a team-high 12 tackles, seven solo, plus a sack, another pressure, a forced fumble and six stops. He also gave up six catches for 64 yards, so there’s still work to do in coverage.
Ventrell Miller turned in another strong outing for Jacksonville with a team-high seven tackles, a pressure and a stop while allowing just one short catch in 18 coverage snaps. Malcolm Rodriguez, or “Rodrigo,” has carved out a rotational role in Detroit after injuries and Jack Campbell’s emergence, and that kind of depth piece is exactly the sort of addition the Raiders could be after behind Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean.
The rest of the board includes a few more names worth circling. Byron Young wrecked the New York Giants’ offensive line with a sack, three quarterback hits, two more pressures, two stops and five total tackles on only 20 pass-rush snaps.
Steve Avila was solid on the other side of that Rams line, shutting down the Giants’ front and helping in the run game, which matters if the Raiders’ guard play keeps lagging. Uchenna Nwosu also fits the picture, especially because he knows a lot of the Las Vegas coaching staff from Seattle.
His deal is up after this year, and with seven pressures and a PBU through two weeks in a limited role, he could be in line to replace Malcolm Koonce if that’s how things go. Kevin Dotson is also on the radar.
In Other News...
Raiders Cornerback Battle Just Got A Lot More Interesting
Klint Kubiak had plenty to say about the Raiders young cornerbacks after Week 2, and the conversation around the secondary only got more interesting. Hezekiah Masses turned heads with two interceptions, giving the rookie a real case to keep climbing the depth chart, while Jermod McCoy remains in the middle of his development plan and Darien Porters return gives the staff another evaluation point as the defense keeps sorting out its pieces.
For a Raiders team that is still trying to define roles on the back end, the cornerback battle now has some real texture beyond simple training-camp speculation. Kubiaks praise for Masses suggests the door is open for a bigger opportunity, but the staff is clearly weighing more than just one hot game as it looks at how McCoy grows and how Porter fits back into the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Depth Chart Is Revealing A Few Big Week 3 Questions
The Raiders have spent the first two weeks giving themselves a little breathing room, and now the depth chart is starting to tell a more interesting story as they prepare for New Orleans. At 2-0 after the win over the Chargers, Las Vegas is no longer just living off early momentum. The discussion has shifted to who is locking down bigger roles, which contributors are driving the offense and defense, and how much the teams improved play on that side of the ball is changing the shape of the roster.
Week 3 brings a few questions that should help clarify the picture, especially as the Raiders continue to sort out player performance and health. Some names are pushing for more responsibility, others are being monitored closely, and the way those pieces fit against the Saints could say plenty about where this team is headed next. For a club that has already shown real progress, the next step is less about the record and more about which depth-chart decisions end up holding when the schedule gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Suddenly Look Deeper Than Anyone Expected
The Raiders offseason overhaul is starting to show up in the sort of way that gets attention early in the year. A new coaching staff and a series of roster upgrades have given Las Vegas a sturdier look on both sides of the ball, and the defensive line in particular has been disruptive enough to sit tied for the league lead in sacks. Even with the usual caveats that come with a fresh setup, the group looks deeper and more complete than it did a year ago.
There is still room for the offense to grow, especially with Brock Bowers sidelined for now, though his return should give the unit another useful piece. Kirk Cousins has kept things moving at quarterback and the early signs have been encouraging, but the bigger long-term question is how much better the group can look once Fernando Mendoza eventually takes over under center. For a team that spent the offseason trying to change its outlook, the early returns suggest the ceiling may be higher than many expected. [Read more 🡒]