The Las Vegas Raiders already gave themselves a glimpse of what this season could look like with a 3-0 start, but the last two losses brought the reality back into focus. The first month under Klint Kubiak has been encouraging, yet the roster still has too many holes to pretend it’s close to finished.
That becomes especially clear when Fernando Mendoza takes over for Kirk Cousins in the starting lineup. He won’t be walking into a polished setup.
The offensive line still needs work, and outside of Brock Bowers, the pass-catching group leaves plenty to be desired. John Spytek has a lot of rebuilding left to do if the Raiders want to put Mendoza in position to thrive.
That’s why the 2027 NFL Draft looms so large, and why hitting on these seven selections would give Las Vegas a real foundation to build around.
The first-round choice is Nick Marsh, the Indiana receiver who did not play with Mendoza in college but profiles as a strong fit anyway. Marsh has a knack for winning contested catches and could become the kind of back-shoulder fade option Mendoza would lean on outside.
His value wouldn’t stop there, either - Marsh’s work as a blocker could help Ashton Jeanty find more room and improve his efficiency. He may not scream classic WR1, but his presence would clearly raise the ceiling of the offense.
In Round 2, the Raiders add Cayden Green, a Missouri lineman who is listed as a left tackle but has experience at guard and may wind up moving back inside in the NFL. In Las Vegas, he could step into the spot currently held by Spencer Burford, who has already given up 18 pressures this season. Paired with Tyler Linderbaum and Jackson Powers-Johnson, Green would give Mendoza a strong interior trio to work behind.
Round 3 brings Koi Perich, and with Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao both headed for free agency after the season, safety becomes a position that needs attention fast. Perich offers flexibility, with the ability to work in the box or deep. He’s also described as a strong tackler who reads the game quickly, which makes him the kind of middle-round defender who could jump straight into the lineup.
The Raiders then turn to the defensive front in Round 4 with James Smith from Ohio State. He’s a solid run defender who mainly works as a three-technique tackle, and while Las Vegas can’t fix every problem in one draft, Smith would still add useful depth and strength on Day 3 if the offense gets the early attention.
Round 5 shifts to Adam Trick, the Texas Tech edge rusher. He brings more juice off the line and enough technical ability to help on obvious passing downs. If the Raiders are looking for another body who can stress quarterbacks, Trick fits that mold.
Then comes a pair of sixth-round swings. Isaiah Sategna III of Oklahoma gives Las Vegas a versatile receiver with kick-return ability, which matters with Tre Tucker in the final year of his contract. Sategna is explosive once he has the ball, and he could end up being the closest thing the Raiders get to a direct Tucker replacement.
Finally, DJ Barksdale of UCLA rounds out the class. At 5-foot-8 and 185 pounds, he is undersized, but that hasn’t stopped him from producing this season. He’s a high-motor slot corner who would mostly contribute on special teams for Las Vegas.
In Other News...
Three Raiders Matchups Could Decide Everything Against Buffalo
At 3-2, the Raiders head into Week 6 with a chance to measure themselves against one of the AFCs sturdier early-season teams, and the test starts in the trenches and on the perimeter. Maxx Crosby against Buffalos right tackle stands out as the kind of edge battle that can shape an entire afternoon, while Las Vegas will also need clean work from its cornerbacks against rookie receiver Keon Coleman and steady help inside from Spencer Burford at left guard against Deone Walker.
The matchup picture could change if Buffalos injury situation tilts the balance at a couple of spots, adding another layer of uncertainty to a game that already feels like a swing point for both teams. For the Raiders, the broader issue is simple: if those one-on-one duels break their way, they can travel to Buffalo and make a real statement, but if they dont, the margin for error against a 4-1 opponent gets very thin very quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Brock Bowers Looks Even More Dangerous In Klint Kubiaks New Role
Brock Bowers has already looked like one of the most dangerous pieces in the Raiders passing game, but the way Klint Kubiak is deploying him in 2026 has only sharpened that edge. Instead of staying attached to the formation like a traditional tight end, Bowers is spending more time split out wide and being asked to work as a downfield target, a usage pattern that echoes how Kubiak featured Jaxon Smith-Njigba with the Seahawks a year ago.
The early returns have been hard to ignore. Bowers is leading all tight ends in yards per route run and, even with only three games under his belt, ranks 20th in the NFL in receiving yards. The bigger question for the Raiders is how far Kubiak keeps leaning into this expanded role, because the more Bowers is treated like a perimeter receiver, the harder he is to game-plan for. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Depth Chart Hints At Changes That Could Decide Buffalo Game
The latest Raiders depth chart offers a useful snapshot of where this roster stands heading into a Week 6 matchup with the Bills, and it also hints at how much can still shift before kickoff. Las Vegas is still sorting out how to maximize its talent, with the chart reflecting ongoing evaluations of players' roles, performance and how the staff wants to shape the rotation for Buffalo.
One of the more interesting spots to watch is on special teams, where the return game could see another adjustment if the coaches decide they need a different look. Up front, the offensive line still carries some uncertainty as Jackson Powers-Johnson works back toward form after missing time, and the left side remains an area the Raiders have to keep tightening if they want to give their offense a cleaner path against a difficult opponent. [Read more 🡒]