Raiders’ Offensive Line Collapse Paved the Way for 2025’s Fall - Now Comes the Rebuild
The Las Vegas Raiders didn’t just finish the 2025 season with the league’s worst record - they earned the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. And while a lot went wrong, one issue stood out like a busted protection on third-and-long: the offensive line.
It wasn’t just bad. It was broken.
From the jump, the unit looked out of sync. Geno Smith, brought in to stabilize the quarterback position, instead found himself under siege week after week.
Too many clean shots. Too many sacks.
Too little time to operate. And when you dig deeper, the film and the numbers tell the same story - the Raiders’ offensive line was one of the worst in football.
A Unit That Never Found Its Footing
The Raiders ranked near the bottom of the league in pass protection, and it showed. Pressure came early and often.
Drives sputtered before they could get going. Even Smith’s mobility - which helped him escape some chaos - couldn’t mask the core issue: the line couldn’t hold up in either phase of the game.
Pro Football Focus grades backed up the eye test. There were flashes of potential, but they were buried under too many missed assignments, free rushers, and a general lack of cohesion. The run game didn’t fare much better - inconsistent blocking up front made it hard to establish rhythm or identity.
And that spotlight eventually turned toward offensive line coach Brennan Carroll, who joined the staff as part of the high-profile 2025 overhaul alongside his father, head coach Pete Carroll. The pairing raised eyebrows from the start, and by season’s end, the concerns were validated.
Reports surfaced that Raiders offensive linemen were holding meetings without coaches, working directly with Smith on protections and adjustments. That kind of player-led course correction usually signals one thing: a loss of trust in the coaching staff.
Rookie Development Stalled Out
It wasn’t just the veterans who struggled. The Raiders invested heavily in the 2025 draft, using back-to-back third-round picks on guard Caleb Rogers (Texas Tech) and tackle Charles Grant (William & Mary). Both were drafted for their athletic upside, but neither made the leap in Year 1.
Rogers showed flashes of power but was plagued by technical inconsistency and mental mistakes. Grant, meanwhile, improved late in the year but still struggled with footwork and hand usage - issues that should’ve been cleaned up with better coaching. These are teachable traits, and the fact they lingered all season says plenty about the developmental environment.
By season’s end, the writing was on the wall. Pete Carroll was out after just one year, Brennan Carroll followed, and the Raiders hit the reset button. A new head coach is on the way, and with him comes a new staff and a new opportunity to rebuild the trenches the right way.
Who Stays, Who Goes
There’s still some talent to work with up front - starting with left tackle Kolton Miller. When healthy, he’s a Pro Bowl-caliber blindside protector with elite pass-blocking chops. He’s a building block.
Interior linemen Dylan Parham and Jackson Powers-Johnson also showed promise despite the chaos around them. Both are young, tough, and flashed enough to warrant real developmental investment. With better coaching, they could become long-term starters.
As for the 2025 rookies, Rogers and Grant? Don’t write them off yet. Their physical tools are legit, and with a new staff in place, they deserve a second look in a more structured system.
But not everyone should be part of the rebuild. Veterans like Stone Forsythe and Alex Cappa didn’t bring enough to the table.
They struggled regardless of scheme or opponent, and worse - they took valuable reps from young players who needed the experience. That can’t happen again.
The Mendoza Factor
With the No. 1 pick, all signs point to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza landing in Las Vegas. And while his college tape shows a poised passer with accuracy, improved decision-making, and a knack for avoiding sacks - he’s not a cure-all.
Just ask Geno Smith. The veteran took far too many hits in 2025, a painful echo of his Seattle days when poor protection forced quick reads and stunted the deep passing game.
If the Raiders want Mendoza to grow into a franchise quarterback, they need to protect him. That starts with the offensive line.
The Blueprint for 2026 and Beyond
The next coaching staff gets a clean slate, but they’ll need a clear plan to match. That means building a scheme that fits the personnel - more zone concepts in the run game, quicker passing rhythms to neutralize pressure, and improved pre-snap communication across the board.
But even the best scheme won’t matter without better players. The Raiders have to invest - both in free agency and the draft.
Free Agency Targets to Watch
If the Raiders want to make a splash, they should start in the middle. Baltimore center Tyler Linderbaum is a potential game-changer if he hits the open market. The Ravens declined his fifth-year option, and unless he gets tagged or extended, he could be available.
Linderbaum brings everything the Raiders need: athleticism, technical consistency, and elite communication skills. He’d be a stabilizing force on the interior and a perfect fit for a rookie quarterback trying to find his voice in the huddle.
Other names to watch:
- Teven Jenkins (G, Browns): A tone-setter in the run game with positional flexibility.
- Braden Smith (OT, Colts): A steady, powerful right tackle who rarely gets beat.
- Rasheed Walker (OT, Packers): Young, athletic, and trending upward - with starter potential.
- Jermaine Eluemunor (OT, Giants): A familiar face in Las Vegas with reliable pass protection chops.
The Raiders should have the cap space to be aggressive. Signing a top-tier center like Linderbaum and pairing him with another starter-level lineman could transform the unit overnight. It would also give Mendoza the kind of protection plan that allows a young quarterback to develop without constantly looking over his shoulder.
The Draft Still Matters
Free agency is only part of the fix. The Raiders also need to hit on Day 2 of the draft, where offensive line depth typically runs deep. That’s where you find long-term starters - guys who may not be flashy but can anchor a line for years.
The message is simple: don’t put Mendoza behind a patchwork line and call it “development.” Build the foundation first. Then let your quarterback grow.
A Turning Point for the Franchise
The 2025 season didn’t just end in disappointment - it exposed foundational issues across coaching, development, and personnel. But now, with a new staff on the way, the No. 1 pick in hand, and resources to spend, the Raiders have a rare opportunity to reset.
They can’t afford to treat the offensive line like an afterthought. If they do, history will repeat itself - another young quarterback, another wasted year, another rebuild on the horizon.
The path forward is clear: invest in the trenches, teach the fundamentals, and protect your future.