The Las Vegas Raiders are trying to do something they haven’t done in decades. Build a winner without a proven franchise quarterback. It’s not impossible but it takes a near-perfect roster around whoever is taking snaps. This year, that’s Kirk Cousins and rookie Fernando Mendoza. And after a busy offseason, the roster has clear strengths and at least one glaring weakness.
Training camp starts July 23 for rookies, July 28 for veterans. Here’s a position-by-position look at where things stand right now. Ratings are on a 1-10 scale. Ten is elite.
Quarterback: 7
The Raiders knew they were taking Mendoza at No. 1 overall in the 2026 draft. That part was never a secret. But nobody knows if he’ll actually be good yet. Rookie quarterbacks fail all the time. So Vegas did the smart thing and signed Cousins, who at 37 is at least competent. Even if he declines a little, he’s still better than what the Raiders have been running out there. Aidan O’Connell is a fine third option. Jacob Clark won’t matter this season.
Running Back: 6
Ashton Jeanty had a fine rookie season, not a great one. 975 yards and five touchdowns on 266 carries. That’s fine for a normal back but Jeanty was supposed to be special. He did flash against the Bears (138 yards) and the Texans (128 yards plus a 60-yard receiving touchdown). The problem is the guys behind him have done nothing in the NFL. Mike Washington Jr. and Dylan Laube have a lot to prove. Connor Heyward playing fullback is a nice nostalgic touch but it doesn’t help the rating much.
Wide Receiver: 3
This is the worst group on the team by a wide margin. Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Jeck Bech, Dont’e Thornton Jr. That’s your top four. Nailor had back-to-back 400-yard seasons in Minnesota. That’s not a compliment. The Raiders will survive because Brock Bowers and Jeanty create mismatches underneath. Soft coverage helps. But if you’re rating just the receivers themselves, it’s ugly. Expect a major investment at this position next offseason.
Tight End: 10
Brock Bowers is the best tight end in football. Full stop. He had a down year in 2025 because of injuries but his rookie season was 112 catches and 1,194 yards. Michael Mayer is still around and Ian Thomas and Albert Okwuegbunam are quality backups. No team in the league has a better tight end room.
Offensive Tackle: 7
Kolton Miller is a star. Elite pass protector locked up through 2028. DJ Glaze is an average right tackle, which is fine. Charles Grant and Dalton Wagner are solid backups but you don’t want either starting for long. The group is respectable and that’s enough.
Guard: 7
Spencer Burford and Jackson Powers-Johnson give the Raiders two capable starters. Powers-Johnson could be a long-term piece. The depth is okay with Caleb Rogers and Justin Pickett fighting for roster spots. Might be worth adding a veteran during camp.
Center: 9
Tyler Linderbaum was the biggest money move of the offseason. The guy is an anchor in the middle. He helps Jeanty in the run game and keeps the pocket clean for Cousins and Mendoza. Jordan Meredith is a quality backup.
Defensive Tackle: 4
This group is almost as bad as the receivers. Thomas Booker, Adam Butler, Benito Jones. Those guys are roster filler on a good team. No dominant run stopper in the middle. The Raiders will survive because the edges and linebackers are better but teams will run on them.
Edge Rusher: 9
Maxx Crosby is still here. That alone is huge. The botched trade attempt might end up being a blessing. Kwity Paye was signed in free agency and Malcolm Koonce is back. Rookie Keyron Crawford adds depth. This is the best supporting cast Crosby has ever had. If this unit plays up to its potential, the Raiders will be in most games just because of the pass rush.
Linebacker: 7
Two months ago this group had nothing. Then they signed Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker. Both are solid starters who don’t need to be stars. Just average play would be a huge upgrade. The young guys behind them might develop under a new staff.
Cornerback: 6
Eric Stokes, Darien Porter, and Taron Johnson have all played well in spots. None of them is a true shutdown corner. The key is rookie Jermod McCoy. If he stays healthy he could be the CB1 this defense needs. If he gets hurt again the secondary will get bullied by top receivers. Risky but promising.
Safety: 6
Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao are fine. Not great. Treydan Stukes is the only backup worth watching, especially in the slot. If everyone plays at an average level the Raiders will be fine. If someone gets hurt it could get ugly fast.
Special Teams: 6
Matt Gay and AJ Cole are solid. Kicker and punter are not problems. Long snapper will be sorted out in camp. Nothing special but nothing broken either.
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