After the Raiders get through final roster cuts, they’ll be in a strong spot to hunt for help. Their waiver priority will line up with the first round of the 2026 NFL draft order, giving Las Vegas first dibs on claims. And if the right players don’t shake loose right away, the team can still work the free-agent market and round out the 53-man depth chart before Week 1.
That matters because John Spytek still has a few spots on the roster that could use a real boost. He passed on addressing some of those needs early in the draft, and the questions at those positions haven’t gone away.
The Raiders have also shown before that a post-cut addition can matter. K’Lavon Chaisson signed after Week 1 of the 2024 season and turned his Las Vegas stop into the start of a career rebound.
So when the cutdown dust settles, these are the three spots where the Silver and Black may be looking hardest for a plug-and-play upgrade.
Wide receiver is the most obvious one. Tre Tucker is the top playmaker in the room, but the Raiders need better depth and, maybe more importantly, someone who can clearly separate as the No. 2 option.
Jalen Nailor arrived on a new three-year, $35 million deal, but his camp and preseason didn’t exactly announce a breakout. He caught just three of seven targets for 35 yards in preseason action.
After four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings as their No. 3 receiver, he may need time to settle into a larger role, but the Raiders need more from him once the games count.
Jack Bech brings a different profile. He’s not built to wow anyone, and that’s fine, but he also hasn’t been a high-volume target. The 2025 second-rounder can help move the chains on third down, though the next step is showing steadier production snap to snap.
Then there’s Malik Benson, who had built some buzz over the last few months before drops chipped away at it in the preseason. The rookie sixth-rounder still appears to be in good shape to make the roster while Dont'e Thornton Jr. works back from injury, but Las Vegas could still decide to add a veteran who can slot in as the No. 4 wideout.
Running back is another spot worth watching closely. Ashton Jeanty suffered an ankle injury at practice a week ago, and his Week 1 availability is still up in the air. Klint Kubiak said the team will keep evaluating him before the opener.
“ Still on the mend, still working to get him back. We’ve got another week to assess how he’s gonna look going into this first game, but we’re counting on him."
If Jeanty can’t go, rookie fourth-round pick Mike Washington Jr. would be next up after an eye-catching preseason in which he averaged 7.3 yards per carry. Dylan Laube could also factor in on passing downs after a solid summer of his own.
He finished the preseason with eight catches for 69 yards and a touchdown, plus 11 carries for 40 yards and another score. Even with those internal options, the Raiders could still target a veteran back if Jeanty isn’t ready for September 13.
The edge-rusher group is the third area that could use reinforcement. Keyron Crawford left last Thursday’s preseason game with an ankle injury, and Kubiak said he’s still gathering information on the situation. If Crawford’s recovery stretches beyond a couple of weeks, Las Vegas could place him on short-term injured reserve and bring in another pass-rusher to help bridge the gap behind Maxx Crosby, Kwity Paye and Malcolm Koonce.
There’s at least one young option already making noise. Undrafted rookie Cian Slone has flashed during camp, but his preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers was uneven. On the broadcast, former Raiders linebacker Kirk Morrison said Slone should have played his man instead of staring at the quarterback in coverage, and he also pointed out a missed tackle in the open field.
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Mike Washington Jr.s emergence could be just as important for Jeanty as the workload Kubiak has in mind. A rookie back who can help absorb carries gives the Raiders a little more balance, and it could keep Jeanty fresher as the season goes on. For a player expected to be central to the offense, having another back ready to contribute may be exactly the kind of support that helps unlock the breakout many in Las Vegas have been waiting for. [Read more 🡒]
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There is also a bigger organizational story tucked into the numbers. The breakdown by general manager influence, the age profile at each position and the college-conference makeup all point to a roster being built with a specific identity in mind, while several players are already back alongside former college teammates. For a team trying to establish a new era, those connections and construction details may matter as much as the names themselves. [Read more 🡒]