The Raiders’ offseason changes have created a real sense that 2026 could look a lot different, even if nobody can say yet how that will show up in the standings. Klint Kubiak’s new approach, along with the added personnel around him, has fans thinking the team will be more competitive and at least point toward something better ahead.
That optimism doesn’t just apply to the roster as a whole. It also opens the door for several players who either underwhelmed, spent time hurt, or never got much of a chance last season to put together real bounce-back campaigns.
Ashton Jeanty is one of the clearest candidates. He wasn’t bad last year, but the offensive line around him made life difficult. With Rick Dennison and Co. having seemingly turned that group into at least a competent unit, and maybe even league-average, Jeanty should be in position to break out once he’s healthy again.
Maxx Crosby is another obvious name. He spent most of last season battling through a bad knee, and while that’s part of the deal with him, he still wasn’t at his best in 2025. After not cutting any corners in rehab this offseason and with more help around him, Crosby could be headed for a career year.
Jack Bech fits the “didn’t get an opportunity” label. Pete Carroll didn’t seem eager to play him much last year, but Bech flashed in the preseason and now looks like he should have some kind of role in a weak wide receiver room. That alone gives him a path to easily top last year’s output and make his presence felt.
Jackson Powers-Johnson also has a strong case. The previous coaching staff yanked him around in the preseason and then he got injured, turning 2025 into a lost year. The talent is there, though, and if he wins the starting job this season - which he’s in line for - he could finally start moving toward the ceiling people have seen in him.
Malcolm Koonce belongs on the list too. He was still working his way back from injury last season, and now he’s even farther removed from the torn ACL. He started to show some signs of his old form in 2025, and even with a quiet offseason, he could still make a major impact in a more pure pass-rusher role.
Then there’s Glaze, who looked nothing like his rookie self in 2025. He went from a league-average offensive tackle to a complete disaster, but Dennison appears to have helped him make a big jump this offseason. If that holds, Glaze could become a legitimate factor up front for the Raiders in 2026 and beyond.
In Other News...
Maxx Crosby Just Got Pulled Back Into Raiders Trade Talk
The Cowboys latest round of restructures has turned a previously tight cap situation into one with real flexibility, and that immediately changes the kind of phone calls they can make ahead of the trade deadline. Dallas has gone from a little more than $14 million in room to roughly $33 million, a jump that puts premium players back on the table if the front office wants to chase a bigger swing.
Maxx Crosby is the name that naturally rises to the top of that conversation because of his contract and his status as one of the leagues most disruptive edge rushers. For Raiders fans, it is another reminder that whenever a contender finds unexpected cap space, Crosbys name tends to surface almost instantly, even if the path from speculation to a real move remains a long one. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Rebuild Could Hinge On Two Decisions Fans Wont Ignore
The Raiders are trying to reset after a 3-14 season, and the early signs of that rebuild have already put a couple of franchise-defining choices in focus. Klint Kubiak was hired after the Super Bowl and quickly settled the quarterback question by naming Kirk Cousins the starter, leaving rookie Fernando Mendoza in a limited role as the staff tries to stabilize the offense and give the roster a clearer direction.
Maxx Crosbys status adds a harder layer to the picture. The pass rusher remains one of the most valuable players on the roster, but there is already a sense that Las Vegas could weigh a trade if the team is not in playoff position by midseason, with an eye toward collecting draft capital for the next stage of the rebuild. For a fan base that has already watched one painful season slip away, those are the kinds of decisions that will define whether this is a quick reset or a longer overhaul. [Read more 🡒]
Jerry Jones Could Reignite Cowboys Chatter With One All In Move
Dallas has already spent the offseason trying to tighten up its defense under coordinator Christian Parker, and the Cowboys still sound open to making another move if the right one comes along. That is why the chatter around Maxx Crosby keeps hanging around the edges of the conversation, especially after reporting surfaced that Dallas had previously put multiple offers on the table for the Raiders pass rusher, including packages built around draft picks and players.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report has floated the idea of the Cowboys circling back, and it is easy to see why the speculation keeps resurfacing whenever Jerry Jones starts talking like a team that is not done yet. Crosby was already part of trade discussions with Dallas before his brief stop with Baltimore and return to Las Vegas, and while nothing has come together, the possibility alone is enough to keep this storyline alive if the Cowboys decide to go all in. [Read more 🡒]