LAS VEGAS — The decisions have been made at least for now. The Las Vegas Raiders have completed their final round of transactions and established their initial 53-man roster for the 2026 NFL season, giving the first clear look at the group head coach Klint Kubiak will take into his first regular season leading the Silver and Black.
The word “initial” remains important. NFL rosters are constantly evolving, particularly in the days immediately following final cuts when teams evaluate players released around the league. Injuries, waiver claims, trades and practice-squad moves could alter the roster before the Raiders even play their first game.
For now, however, this is the group Las Vegas has chosen. Offensively, it’s a roster featuring an intriguing combination of established veterans, young cornerstone players and the franchise’s potential quarterback of the future.
Raiders Keep Three Quarterbacks
Quarterbacks: Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza, Aidan O’Connell
Perhaps no position will receive more attention than quarterback. The Raiders elected to keep three, with veteran Kirk Cousins joined by Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O’Connell.
Mendoza’s presence makes the quarterback room particularly fascinating. The former Indiana standout entered the organization as one of the most important additions of the Raiders’ offseason and potentially the long-term answer at a position Las Vegas has spent years trying to stabilize.
Cousins gives Kubiak an experienced veteran presence in the room, while O’Connell provides another quarterback with starting experience. How Kubiak manages the position and particularly Mendoza’s development will be one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Raiders throughout the season.
Ashton Jeanty Leads Running Back Room
Running backs: Ashton Jeanty, Dylan Laube, Mike Washington Jr.
Fullback: Connor Heyward
The Raiders kept three running backs, led by Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty enters 2026 as one of the most important pieces of the Las Vegas offense and should remain central to what Kubiak wants to establish on the ground.
Behind him, the Raiders kept Dylan Laube and rookie Mike Washington Jr. Washington provides Las Vegas with a bigger option in the backfield. The former Arkansas standout rushed for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns during his final collegiate season while averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
The Raiders also kept Connor Heyward as their fullback, giving Kubiak another versatile piece for an offensive system expected to make significant use of personnel variation.
Brock Bowers Remains Centerpiece of Raiders Offense
Tight ends: Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas
There aren’t many questions about who sits atop the tight end depth chart. Brock Bowers has already established himself as one of the Raiders’ premier offensive weapons and one of the NFL’s most dangerous players at his position.
Bowers’ combination of route running, athleticism and ability after the catch gives Kubiak the type of matchup weapon capable of becoming the focal point of an offense.
Las Vegas also kept Michael Mayer and veteran Ian Thomas, providing the Raiders with enough depth to utilize multiple-tight-end formations. With Bowers and Mayer together, Kubiak has considerable flexibility to create mismatches without revealing whether Las Vegas intends to run or pass based strictly on personnel.
Raiders Go Six Deep at Receiver
Wide receivers: Jack Bech, Malik Benson, Jalen Nailor, Dont’e Thornton Jr., Tre Tucker, Dareke Young
The Raiders will enter the season with six wide receivers. Jalen Nailor arrives as one of the more intriguing additions after spending his previous seasons in Minnesota, where opportunities were limited in a receiving corps featuring Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Las Vegas should provide Nailor with an opportunity to take on a larger offensive role. He’ll be joined by Jack Bech, Malik Benson, Dont’e Thornton Jr., Tre Tucker and Dareke Young.
Tucker’s speed remains an important element of the offense, while the combination of Bech, Benson and Thornton gives Las Vegas several younger receivers with an opportunity to establish themselves.
Unlike some previous Raiders teams built around a clearly established No. 1 wide receiver, this group could operate much more by committee. That makes the development of the younger receivers particularly important.
Raiders Build Offensive Line Around Miller and Linderbaum
Offensive linemen: Spencer Burford, DJ Glaze, Charles Grant, Tyler Linderbaum, Atonio Mafi, Kolton Miller, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Caleb Rogers, Trey Zuhn III
The Raiders kept nine offensive linemen, with Kolton Miller continuing to provide stability at tackle. One of the biggest names in the group is Tyler Linderbaum, giving Las Vegas an established presence along the interior.
The Raiders also retained Jackson Powers-Johnson, DJ Glaze, Spencer Burford, Charles Grant, Atonio Mafi, Caleb Rogers and Trey Zuhn III. For Kubiak, the offensive line will be critical. His offense will need to create running lanes for Jeanty while also providing enough protection for a quarterback room that could become one of the most scrutinized in football.
The versatility within the group should give the coaching staff several combinations to consider as it settles on its preferred starting five.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
