The Las Vegas Raiders are already making waves this offseason-and we haven’t even hit free agency or the NFL Draft yet. With Klint Kubiak expected to take over as head coach, and buzz building around Fernando Mendoza as the likely No. 1 overall pick, there’s a new energy pulsing through Raider Nation. But as much as the early moves have sparked optimism, there’s still a long road ahead before this team can be taken seriously as a contender.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the 2025 Raiders were rough. Bottom-of-the-league rough.
So while the hiring of Kubiak and the leadership trio of Kubiak, new GM John Spytek, and part-owner Tom Brady offers a fresh direction, this rebuild is still in its infancy. The pieces may be coming together, but the Raiders will need to hit on almost every move this offseason to climb out of the NFL cellar.
That’s why ESPN’s early 2026 power rankings landed with a bit of a thud in Vegas. The Raiders came in at No. 30-only ahead of the Jets and Browns.
That might sting, but it’s not exactly shocking. Respect in the NFL is earned, not handed out for potential.
Fixing the Trenches: Priority No. 1
ESPN’s write-up summed it up in three words: Fix the trenches. And they’re not wrong.
On offense, Kubiak’s system is built on timing, rhythm, and protection. If the Raiders want to unlock the full potential of a young quarterback like Mendoza-along with promising weapons like Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers-they’ll need to invest heavily in the offensive line. That unit struggled mightily last year, and no scheme, no matter how innovative, can function without a solid foundation up front.
Defensively, it’s Maxx Crosby and… well, not much else. Crosby continues to be a one-man wrecking crew, but he can’t do it alone.
The Raiders were near the bottom of the league in pressure rate, and if they want to turn things around defensively, they’ll need to find help on the edge and in the interior. Expect that to be a major focus in both free agency and the draft.
Plenty of Ammo to Rebuild
Here’s the good news: the Raiders have the resources to make it happen. They’re sitting on close to $100 million in cap space and own nine draft picks-including that coveted No. 1 overall selection. That’s a war chest most GMs would dream of, and it gives Spytek and company real flexibility to reshape this roster quickly.
So while the No. 30 ranking might feel like a slap in the face, it also reflects where this team ended last season-not where it’s headed. And frankly, it’s already an improvement from where they were just a few months ago.
The Path Forward
If the Raiders can shore up the offensive and defensive lines with proven veterans and draft well-starting with Mendoza-there’s a realistic path toward respectability. No one’s penciling them in for a playoff spot just yet, but a leap into the middle tier of the league isn’t out of the question.
And let’s not forget: the NFL is built for turnarounds. Every year, teams go from bottom-dwellers to playoff threats. The key is alignment-between the front office, coaching staff, and locker room-and for the first time in a long time, the Raiders seem to have that.
The Kubiak-Spytek-Brady era is just getting started. And while there’s still a lot to prove, the foundation is being laid for something better. After years of chaos and inconsistency, that alone is worth getting excited about in Las Vegas.
The Raiders may be ranked 30th today. But if they play their cards right this offseason, don’t be surprised if they start climbing the ladder sooner than expected.