The Las Vegas Raiders are staring at a huge Week 4 meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs, a game that could leave the winner alone at the top of the AFC West. It’s an early-season test with real weight for Klint Kubiak, and it also gives John Spytek and the front office a chance to keep one eye on what comes next while they chase the 2026 season.
That bigger-picture approach is already part of the conversation around Las Vegas. The Raiders can work on the roster now and still start lining up targets for next March. And if they’re building a free agency wish list, the Los Angeles Rams belong near the top of it, with several young players who could draw serious interest from the Silver and Black.
Among wide receivers, Parker Washington stays in the mix despite a quieter day by his standards, finishing with three catches for 40 yards and a touchdown. He still finds ways to win, and his end-zone grab stood out because he fought through pass interference to secure it.
George Pickens also remains a name to watch after a seven-catch, 82-yard outing in Rio de Janeiro, though his maturity would be a question for a Raiders team that values work and character. Josh Downs turned in a strong showing against the Houston Texans, catching five passes for 77 yards and adding 24 yards after the catch.
Then there’s Puka Nacua, who did not play in Week 3 again because of injury. The concern level is high enough that Las Vegas probably wouldn’t want to gamble, but his talent alone keeps him on the board, especially in Kubiak’s offense.
Up front, Kobie Turner is the Rams defender who jumps out most. He logged three pressures, a batted pass and five tackles against a good Denver Broncos offensive line, and his ability to line up in the A and B gaps, plus even slide over the tackle, makes him a flexible piece.
Jalen Redmond also deserves attention after another solid performance, even in a tougher showing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He still managed two pressures, a batted pass and a tackle.
Colby Wooden is another interior name worth noting after producing three pressures, including a quarterback hit, along with two tackles and a stop against the Raiders.
At guard, Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson both had rough nights against Denver. Avila allowed five pressures, including three hits on Matthew Stafford, and was penalized once, though the Rams did get solid run results with him on the field.
Dotson gave up four pressures and one hit on Sunday Night Football, and while he didn’t help any big runs, Los Angeles still averaged 4.3 yards when running off him. Tyler Steen is another possibility, especially given the Raiders-Eagles connection that’s been building since front office ties brought some Philadelphia people to Las Vegas.
Steen allowed just one pressure against the Chicago Bears, and the Eagles’ only real ground success came when they ran behind him on Monday night.
In the secondary, Christian Izien continues to stand out. Spytek already knows him, and he’s become an important part of a Lions defense that has been hammered by injuries.
He played 64 snaps, made nine tackles, added four stops and broke up a pass. Brian Branch still hasn’t debuted this season, but the Raiders should be paying attention once he does.
Ji’Ayir Brown is another name in the mix after a steady Week 3, when he made five tackles and allowed just three catches for 26 yards.
There are also a few more names that fit the Raiders’ type. Ventrell Miller keeps piling up tackles for the Jaguars and added a pass breakup against the New England Patriots, even if he was challenged more in coverage than usual.
Byron Young didn’t record a sack against the Broncos, but he was all over Bo Nix with seven pressures and four tackles, including one in coverage. And Tuli Tuipulotu had one of the strongest outings on the list, finishing with 1.5 sacks, six pressures, four stops and six tackles against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
If he’s the Chargers’ trash, he can be Las Vegas’ treasure.
In Other News...
Raiders Suddenly Need More From The Offense Before Chiefs Game
Jack Bechs Week 3 injury forced the Raiders to lean harder on depth than they had probably planned, and the answer from offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko has been a familiar one: adjust on the fly and spread the workload around. Las Vegas has already started using its tight end duo more heavily, while also looking for ways to get other receivers involved and keep the formation flexible enough to hide the absence of a key target.
With the Chiefs up next, the Raiders offense needs to be more than just serviceable, because a one-player loss can quickly become a wider test of how adaptable the unit really is. Janockos approach points toward more versatile personnel packages and a bigger role for the run game and additional pass-catching options, but the real question is whether all of those moving parts can add up to enough production against a tougher opponent. [Read more 🡒]
Former Raiders DC Suddenly Faces Pressure Steelers Fans Didn't Expect
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Now the pressure is building in a place that rarely waits long to judge. Recent game footage appeared to catch T.J. Watt showing visible frustration toward Graham, a telling moment for a defense that is still trying to find its footing amid larger organizational issues. For a coordinator brought in to steady things, the tension is starting to become part of the story. [Read more 🡒]
Tom Bradys Latest Rankings Set Up A Chiefs Debate
Tom Bradys latest FOX Sports power rankings after Week 3 offered a quick snapshot of how the early NFL landscape is taking shape, and it included a notable nod to the Raiders. After the San Francisco 49ers climbed to No. 1 on the strength of their 3-0 start, Brady pushed the Las Vegas team into his top five, giving credit to its unbeaten beginning and putting it among the leagues early front-runners.
The rankings also created a little extra buzz at the top, especially with the Seahawks sliding to No. 6 after their first loss and Brock Purdy drawing praise for what he has done so far. For the Raiders, the placement is a reminder that their start has earned attention beyond the AFC West, even as the bigger conversation around the early-season hierarchy continues to revolve around who belongs near the very top. [Read more 🡒]