Las Vegas

Raiders

Jones joins the Raiders after completing a two-season stint with the Dolphins. The 28-year-old has primarily been a rotational defensive lineman through his NFL career so far. He tallied two tackles for loss, including a sack, in 14 games last season. The Raiders will add Jones as rotational depth for a defensive line needing experienced production.

Rice was originally drafted by the Chargers in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He did not make the team’s final roster and has since spent time on several practice squads. His most recent stop was a short-lived stay in Vegas. Rice is a long-shot to make the Packers’ roster this summer.

Someone has to catch passes here, and the Raiders don’t have a single receiver who has cracked 700 yards in an NFL season. Both GM John Spytek and Kubiak have touted the idea of playing in bigger personnel. It’s certainly possible that Mayer gets more of a role in 2026, but with Brock Bowers ahead of him in the pecking order, Mayer probably belongs in the low-end TE2 pecking order until we see a firm role.

Atkins believes the Raiders have mended their relationship with Crosby, and currently plan to keep him, but “the organization’s approach could change if the Raiders hit another tough start to a season.” Per Atkins, the Rams also “want to be one of the rare teams willing to trade from an expectedly loaded 2027 draft class” as they pursue a Super Bowl this year. If the rest of the NFL is set on keeping their 2027 picks, it could give the Rams an opportunity to exploit the market. Many things can change between now and this season’s trade deadline, so this scenario should not be considered likely to happen. If a big, pre-deadline move has been on the Rams’ mind, it could partially explain why they used the 2026 NFL Draft’s No. 13 overall pick on a developmental player, rather than an immediate starter, though.

“He’s a good decision-maker, but I don’t think he’s got the NFL traits,” the coach told ESPN anonymously. “They’re all back-shoulder [throws]. That’s not working in the NFL. His receivers made plays to make him look better than he is. In the NFL, those throws are getting picked off.” Conversely, a Big Ten coach told ESPN Mendoza is “one of the more complete quarterback prospects he has seen.” Mendoza, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after leading the Indian Hoosiers to their first-ever college football title, is widely expected to start the season on the bench behind Kirk Cousins. How long Mendoza waits for the starting gig likely depends on Cousins’ performance in Klint Kubiak’s offense.

According to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden, Mendoza took just five snaps under center over the course of his three-year college career. He took 2,073 snaps in shotgun formation. Mendonz said he is focused on footwork, particularly the first two steps, “securing the snap and getting out of there,” right now. He’s also been conducting walk-throughs at the team hotel with his fellow rookies over the past two nights, taking 25-50 snaps under center with each offensive lineman. Raiders veteran QB Kirk Cousins spent three seasons with head coach Klint Kubiak, as members of the Vikings, so Cousins, 37, will have an obvious edge in organized team activities later this month. That said, given Mendoza’s smarts and work ethic, we expect him to make playing style adjustments very quickly. No. 1 overall picks don’t stay in the backup role for long.

The Raiders did not address wideout in April’s draft until the sixth round, leaving Nailor, Tre Tucker, and Jack Bech as the team’s likely starting receivers. It’s easy to see how Nailor could be the featured target in that group given how things have played out to this point. He’s got a WR4 case as we head into best ball season, though he’s being drafted outside of the top 150 picks more often than not at the moment.

Washington (6’1/223) turned heads by running a 4.33 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine. As a rookie, he is set to compete for the Raiders’ No. 2 role behind starting RB Ashton Jeanty. If he wins it, Washington would be a worthwhile bench stash in re-draft leagues, in case Jeanty misses time. Per Spotrac, Washington’s $5.36 million deal includes $1.1 million in guarantees.

Davis, 27, appeared in just two games last year, totaling three tackles and one quarterback sack. The Commanders released him in October 2024 after drafting him in 2021 as a first-round pick. Davis simply hasn’t developed during his time in the NFL. He might be able to get a training camp audition elsewhere this summer.

McCoy missed 2025 while recovering from a torn ACL. He was supposed to be good to go for his first NFL season, but reports of him possibly needing a second knee surgery, unrelated to the ACL, caused his draft stock to plummet. After beginning the draft cycle with first-round dreams, McCoy fell all the way to the top of the fourth round, where the Raiders moved up one spot to select him. A second surgery would likely result in a redshirt 2026 season. Even Fowler notes that the team still needs to “get him in the building for the offseason program and see how he’s progressing.” For now, it’s a waiting game to see what the Raiders will get out of McCoy in his rookie season.