The Raiders have already done a lot of the heavy lifting in this rebuild, and that’s why the early outlook around Las Vegas feels so much better than it did a year ago. The roster has more talent, Klint Kubiak’s first offseason as a head coach has gone about as well as anyone could’ve hoped for, and this team could be one of the league’s most improved in 2026.
But improved and complete are two different things.
There’s still real work to do if the Raiders want to move from intriguing to legitimate. And the biggest gaps are easy enough to spot: they need more at wide receiver, more disruptive force up front on defense, and more certainty along the offensive line.
At receiver, Tre Tucker is technically the WR1. That says plenty.
He’s the top option on the roster by designation, but compared with the lead receivers around the league, he sits in the bottom tier. Brock Bowers will be the team’s top pass-catcher, and that matters, but it doesn’t solve everything.
The Raiders still need another player in that room who can take pressure off Bowers and force defenses to account for more than one dangerous target.
They’ve already added plenty of young talent, and the hope is that one of those players takes a step forward this season. If that doesn’t happen, a trade for a wide receiver feels like a very real possibility. The Raiders should be making the most of Fernando Mendoza’s rookie contract, which means finding a dominant receiver sooner rather than later.
Defensively, Maxx Crosby is still the headliner, but the front seven hasn’t consistently given him enough help. The linebacker and defensive back groups are better now, and that does ease some of the burden on Crosby. Still, he remains the lone true star on that side of the ball.
The Raiders have tried to land another difference-maker to pair with him, and those efforts haven’t worked out. Kwity Paye is a welcome addition, and if the team keeps adding talent to that defensive line, it doesn’t necessarily need another Crosby-level player for the group to become dangerous.
Even a solid step forward would help. A better nose tackle to anchor the pass rush is a logical place to start.
Then there’s the offensive line, where the Raiders have made noticeable progress, especially with the huge Tyler Linderbaum signing. Even so, there’s still room for improvement. The rookies they drafted could eventually win starting jobs from the veterans in front of them, but banking on late-round picks to turn into dependable starters for several seasons is a risky bet.
The foundation is stronger now. The roster is deeper. But if the Raiders want to keep climbing, these are the spots that still need attention.
In Other News...
Deven Thompkins Is Making A Real Raiders Roster Push
Deven Thompkins arrived in Las Vegas shortly before training camp as an undrafted player from the 2022 class, but he has spent the early portion of camp making a legitimate case to stick. The receiver has drawn positive reviews in practice, standing out in wideout drills and adding value as a return option on special teams, which gives him more than one way to carve out a role.
For a player trying to force his way onto a roster, that kind of versatility matters, and Thompkins has backed it up with a few eye-catching moments in camp sessions. He also comes into the building with familiarity around key people in the organization, which only adds to the sense that this is more than a long shot audition. If he keeps stacking those reps, the Raiders may have a tougher decision than expected when roster cuts arrive. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Camp Suddenly Has A New Quarterback Tension Point
Raiders camp picked up a fresh layer of intrigue this week as the quarterback room started to take shape and the coaching staff continued sorting out the rest of the roster around it. Kirk Cousins spoke about his place atop the depth chart, while head coach Klint Kubiak and cornerback Jermod McCoy offered a broader look at where things stand with roles, health and workload as the team keeps moving through camp.
The quarterback conversation matters because it can ripple well beyond one spot on the field, especially for a team still trying to settle its identity under a new set of decisions. McCoys return from a torn ACL is another piece worth watching, and the Raiders are still juggling how much to push him as the ramp-up continues. Elsewhere in the division, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was back at practice after a leave for personal matters, and Andy Reid was still praising Kahlil Bensons ability to move around up front. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders D Line Is Building An Identity Fans Will Notice Fast
The Raiders defensive line is starting to take on a feel that goes beyond scheme and individual talent. Coach Travis Smith said the group is being shaped around listening and communication, with an emphasis on players understanding not just their own jobs but how they fit into the room. Along the way, Smith pointed to Tonka Hemingways quiet effectiveness, Thomas Booker IVs versatility and the steady work of rookies Cian Slone and Keyron Crawford as examples of the kind of traits that are beginning to define the unit.
What makes that approach interesting is the way the veterans are being asked to help drive it from inside the locker room. Smith said the older players have a role in mentoring the younger linemen and helping build a player-led culture, which can matter just as much as anything happening on the practice field. For a defense that wants its front to set the tone, this is the kind of foundation that can show up quickly once the season starts, even before the biggest names grab the headlines. [Read more 🡒]