The Raiders head into Week 4 with a depth chart that says a lot about where this team is right now: a few key pieces are still being managed, some newcomers are carving out real roles, and the margin for error remains razor-thin.
That starts in the backfield. Ashton Jeanty still looks limited by the ankle issue that has bothered him, but Las Vegas needs him on the field.
The same goes for Dylan Laube, who has to answer after nearly fumbling away a winnable game last Sunday. With each of the Raiders’ first three games decided by one or two possessions, any giveaway - especially deep in their own territory - can flip everything in a hurry.
The offensive line has been one of the clearer bright spots, and the depth chart reflects that. Alex Cappa has shown why Las Vegas brought him in, and he quickly earned a starting job.
The veteran has helped steady and reshape the line. Jackson Powers-Johnson needs to keep that level of play going, while DJ Glaze has looked better working next to stronger talent up front.
The Raiders are also planning to keep their tackles fresh by rotating them during the game.
At tight end, it will be interesting to see how Chip Kelly and Andrew Janocko use Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer against the Chiefs. Both have been playing well on their own and together, and that pairing could matter against a Kansas City defense that will demand answers.
One roster hit already landed this week: Jack Bech was placed on injured reserve after suffering an arm injury on Sunday. After being elevated to the game roster twice, Las Vegas had to make a call on his status because of the rule governing those elevations. He fits Kubiak’s system, and the team clearly had a plan for him before the injury.
Defensively, the Raiders are leaning on a group that has already shown it can set the tone. Chris Dean has been a huge part of Las Vegas’ 3-0 start and remains the glue of the defense.
Adam Walker continues to be a disruptive force. The Raiders feel good about their interior defensive line, and Tyree Johnson could see more work this week while Kwity Paye continues to recover from an illness.
In the secondary, Eric Stokes is still viewed as a dependable veteran, and Las Vegas would much rather have him available against Patrick Mahomes and a deep Chiefs passing game. The Raiders also expect play from Darnay Holmes and Amik Robertson, so the issue is less about who starts and more about getting both corners to perform. Isaiah Johnson’s speed and agility also give the Raiders flexibility in how they line up on defense.
There’s also urgency around getting Nate Stukes back for this matchup. Mahomes will go after that area if it’s vulnerable, and Sunday’s win over the Saints made it obvious why Stukes was named the starter entering the season.
Across the board, Marcus Epps keeps proving how important he is. The veteran lets his play speak for itself, and against the Saints he finished tied for the second-most tackles on the team while showing up around the ball on many of the defense’s turnovers this season.
Special teams has been steadier than some other areas. AJ Cole averaged nearly 50 yards per punt against the Saints, and Daniel Carlson has been reliable all season, making all six of his field goal tries. He has quietly earned the coaching staff’s trust and has become one of the team’s better offseason additions.
The return game, though, still needs work. Las Vegas’ punt returns have basically been a non-factor, but with the offense and defense holding up, the Raiders may only need their returner to make simple, clean plays.
More than anything, they need someone they can trust to catch the ball. Ameer Abdullah has not yet found his footing as the return man, but there’s still time for that to change.
In Other News...
Raiders Just Sent A Clear Message With This Receiver Decision
The Raiders kept busy with their receiver room this week, and the moves say a lot about how quickly this front office is willing to adjust. Las Vegas signed Cody White to the 53-man roster, placed Jack Bech on injured reserve, waived Justin Shorter and added Phillip Dorsett to the practice squad, a set of transactions that reflects how fluid the depth chart has become.
Whites promotion stands out because he has been the teams most productive wideout this season, scoring three touchdowns after arriving from the Seahawks practice squad. General manager John Spytek has made it clear the Raiders are not interested in standing still when a need opens up, and this latest shuffle leaves the receiver group with a new look while the bigger question is how the team plans to keep the position stabilized moving forward. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Just Got A Reminder Of Where They Stand With CBS
CBSs Sunday afternoon assignment sent a clear message about which game the network believed carried the bigger draw in the late window. Instead of sending Jim Nantz and J.J. Watt to Broncos-49ers, CBS paired its top team with Raiders-Chiefs, a matchup that carried more star power and a more familiar national storyline in the 4:25 p.m. ET slot.
The choice quickly drew pushback from fans who felt the Broncos and 49ers had the more meaningful game on the board. It also served as another reminder that Tony Romo remains away from broadcasting duties, leaving CBS to lean on its alternate lineup while its highest-profile booth continues to anchor the games the network deems most appealing. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Suddenly Have A Receiver Opportunity Worth Watching
The Raiders 3-0 start has been built on complementary football, but the passing game still has room to grow, especially on the perimeter. Through the early part of the 2026 season, Las Vegas has not gotten much from its wide receiver group, which makes any potential upgrade at the position worth monitoring as the calendar moves deeper into the fall.
One name now surfacing in that discussion is Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jaguars, whose usage and production have dipped enough to spark trade speculation. The idea is simple enough from the Raiders side: if a talented receiver becomes available and the fit makes sense, Las Vegas could be in the market for help, even if the door on a deal is only just beginning to crack open. [Read more 🡒]