Klint Kubiak Takes the Helm in Vegas - Who Might Follow Him to the Desert?
The Klint Kubiak era is officially underway in Las Vegas - well, almost. The former Saints offensive coordinator is now the Raiders' new head coach, but he won’t be calling shots in silver and black until after he wraps up his Super Bowl run with the Seahawks. Still, that hasn’t stopped the speculation from swirling about which familiar faces might join him out west.
With a treasure chest of assets - ten picks in the 2026 NFL Draft and a whopping $90 million in cap space - the Raiders are positioned to make serious noise this offseason. And don’t be surprised if some of Kubiak’s former players and assistants are high on the target list. Let’s break down five names to keep an eye on as Las Vegas begins to reshape its roster and coaching staff under Kubiak’s direction.
Cesar Ruiz - A Familiar Face for a Familiar Problem
The Raiders’ offensive line was one of the team’s biggest liabilities in 2025, and no position was more unstable than right guard. Five different players started there, and the results were ugly: 16 sacks allowed and 13 penalties combined. That’s the kind of inconsistency that wrecks drives - and games.
Enter Cesar Ruiz. The Saints haven’t exactly been subtle about their frustrations with him.
GM Mickey Loomis publicly hinted that the team needs more from Ruiz, essentially calling him out as a weak link. But here’s the thing: Ruiz had his best season under Kubiak in New Orleans before regressing in 2024.
The Saints even had discussions with Seattle about reuniting him with Kubiak before the trade deadline.
Now, with Kubiak in charge of a team desperate for help at right guard, the stars could be aligning. Ruiz knows the system, and Kubiak knows how to get the best out of him. Don’t be shocked if Las Vegas makes a move to bring him in.
Spencer Rattler - Depth, Familiarity, and a Possible Fit
Spencer Rattler’s NFL journey has had its share of twists, but there’s still belief - from teammates like Tyler Shough and Chris Olave - that he deserves another shot to start. That might not happen in Vegas, especially with the Raiders expected to use the No. 1 overall pick on Fernando Mendoza. But that doesn’t mean Rattler wouldn’t make sense on the roster.
Geno Smith’s time in Vegas appears to be nearing its end, and Kenny Pickett is headed to free agency. That leaves a wide-open depth chart behind the presumed rookie starter. Rattler, who knows Kubiak’s system inside and out, could be a valuable piece - whether as a backup, mentor, or emergency starter.
The catch? The Saints still control Rattler’s contract for two more years, and they won’t be in a rush to move him unless they get real value in return. They spent a fifth-round pick (No. 150 overall) to get him, so any deal would likely need to top that.
Alontae Taylor - Slot Help for a Secondary in Need
The Raiders’ secondary had a glaring weakness in 2025: defending the slot. Four different defensive backs - Jeremy Chinn, Darnay Holmes, Jamal Adams, and Isaiah Pola-Mao - rotated through the role, and the results were rough. According to Pro Football Focus, Las Vegas gave up 420 yards and six touchdowns to slot receivers over the season.
That’s where Alontae Taylor could come in. While PFF credited him with 397 yards and three touchdowns allowed this year, that doesn’t tell the whole story.
Taylor has been one of the league’s more versatile and aggressive corners since entering the league in 2022. He ranks fourth among all corners in passes defensed (52) and third in tackles for loss (21) over that span - numbers that speak to his playmaking ability and physicality.
Kubiak knows what Taylor brings to the table. If the Raiders want to shore up their slot coverage - and add a corner who can flex outside - Taylor could be a smart target.
Foster Moreau - A Reunion That Makes Sense
Tight end isn’t a glaring need in Vegas - not with Brock Bowers already in the building - but depth behind him is a different story. Michael Mayer hasn’t quite lived up to expectations in three seasons, and Ian Thomas is heading into free agency.
That opens the door for a potential reunion with Foster Moreau, who had arguably his best season under Kubiak in 2024. He posted 32 catches for 413 yards, 21 first downs, and five touchdowns - solid production for a secondary tight end.
Moreau was originally drafted by the Raiders, and a return could be mutually beneficial. He knows the city, he knows the fans, and more importantly, he knows what Kubiak is trying to build.
Keith Williams - A Coaching Ally in the Making?
Kubiak may also look to bring over some trusted voices from his Saints days, and Keith Williams is one name to watch. Williams was one of the few position coaches retained by New Orleans after the team brought in Kellen Moore, and he originally joined the Saints under Kubiak’s leadership in 2024.
Respected around the league and known for his work with receivers, Williams could be a valuable addition to Kubiak’s staff in Vegas. Whether it’s a lateral move - like the Saints allowed Jahri Evans to make - or a promotion to a pass-game coordinator or even offensive coordinator, the fit makes sense.
The Bottom Line
With a head coach who’s already proven he can develop talent and a roster full of holes to fill, the Raiders are in prime position to make bold moves this offseason. And don’t be surprised if some of those moves involve familiar names from Kubiak’s past. He’s got the cap space, the draft capital, and now, the authority to build a team in his image.
Vegas is rolling the dice on a new era - and Kubiak might just bring a few old allies along for the ride.