Las Vegas Raiders News

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Brock Bowers • TE • Raiders

Brock Bowers Still a Top-15 Player in Dynasty Leagues Despite Injury-Plagued Season

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) was a disappointment for his fantasy managers in his second season in the NFL in 2025 after going off for 112 catches on 153 targets for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games in his rookie campaign. A knee injury in his sophomore campaign set Bowers back, as he ultimately played in only 12 games and finished with 64 catches for 680 yards and seven touchdowns. The 23-year-old former 13th overall pick in 2024 out of Georgia is still considered a top-15 dynasty selection at RotoBaller going into the 2026 season, despite his injury woes a year ago. Michael Mayer is still in town, but there's no debating that Bowers is Vegas' top pass-catching TE option when he's fully healthy. The Raiders' offense was putrid with veteran quarterback Geno Smith running the show in 2025, but Bowers' stock should rise in 2026 with some combination of veteran Kirk Cousins and projected No. 1 overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. If Mendoza pans out as a solid overall QB prospect, Bowers should be in good hands and in play as the yearly overall TE1 in fantasy for years to come.

Apr 11

Tre Tucker • WR • Raiders

Tre Tucker Could Be an Early-Season Sell Candidate

Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker was the leading receiver on a 2025 Las Vegas team that has since added only Jalen Nailor on a mid-market free agent contract. His 696 receiving yards marked a career high, and he could see enough early-season success to make him a sellable fantasy depth piece. Tucker is an undersized speedster in a mold similar to Darnell Mooney, whose best games in Atlanta came with Kirk Cousins, the presumed starter in Vegas to start the year. It's important to note that Tucker's sell window could be tightened by what the Raiders do in the NFL Draft, as the team is expected to add receiving help for presumed number one overall pick Fernando Mendoza, and Tucker should not be viewed as an irreplaceable talent. Almost 30% of his fantasy points in 2025 came in a single game against the Commanders while Brock Bowers was fighting through injury.

Apr 7

Jack Bech • WR • Raiders

Jack Bech Could be a Nice Buy-Low Candidate Going into Sophomore Season

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech disappointed in his first NFL season in 2025 after being drafted 58th overall in the second round out of TCU. The 23-year-old only caught 20 of his 29 targets for 224 yards and no touchdowns in 16 games played (five starts). Bech didn't have much of a chance to succeed last year, though, in one of the worst offenses in the league. There's a new coaching staff in Vegas, though, and veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is expected to start the year under center, eventually giving way to Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza. Bech will be considered a deep-league fantasy football sleeper who will be competing for the No. 2/3 role with Jalen Nailor and Dont'e Thornton Jr. Things will become more difficult for Bech if the Raiders address the position early in this month's NFL draft. In dynasty formats, Bech is worth considering as a buy-low candidate as he looks to take a step forward in Year 2.

Apr 7

Jalen Nailor • WR • Raiders

Jalen Nailor Seems Likely to Face Competition

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor signed a lucrative three-year deal with the team this offseason. The signing rewarded him for a solid two-season stretch in Minnesota, during which he caught 57 passes for 858 yards and 10 touchdowns. His nose for the end zone is very encouraging, as it suggests that he could get onto the WR3/flex radar if he handles more volume and produces more yardage. Therein lies the big question for the 2026 season, though. As it stands, Nailor is in line to compete for No. 1 receiver duties with Tre Tucker. However, neither Nailor nor Tucker has much of a track record in a No. 1 receiver role. With the Raiders expected to draft Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick, we wouldn't be surprised if they bring in an established veteran to serve as the rookie's favorite target. Players like Keenan Allen and Jauan Jennings have both been heavily linked to Vegas. If the Raiders were to sign either one of them, Nailor would take one step down the pecking order, lowering his fantasy upside for 2026. Managers looking to buy low on the 27-year-old receiver should make sure they avoid overpaying, in case Nailor slips down the depth chart as free agency continues.

Apr 4

Kirk Cousins • QB • Raiders

Kirk Cousins Could Make Starts for Raiders in 2026

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that the money that the Las Vegas Raiders gave veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins indicates that he "could or maybe should end up being the starting QB" to begin the 2026 regular season. Somehow, Cousins will be guaranteed $20 million in 2026, with almost half of the money being paid by the Atlanta Falcons, who released the 37-year-old at the start of the new league year. Even though the Raiders are expected to take Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick at the end of April, Cousins is expected to be the team's Week 1 starter as they let Mendoza sit and learn early on in his first year in the NFL. The four-time Pro Bowler played in 24 games (22 starts) in his two years in Atlanta and completed 65% of his passes for 5,229 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. At best, he'll be a low-end QB2 option for those in superflex fantasy leagues in 2026, and his run as Vegas' starter could be short-lived, depending on his performance and Mendoza's development.

Apr 4

Kirk Cousins • QB • Raiders

Raiders Sign Kirk Cousins

The Las Vegas Raiders have signed quarterback Kirk Cousins to a contract that is essentially a one-year deal with $20 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The contract is technically for five years and $172 million, but the latter four years will be voided, such that Cousins gets $8.7 million from the Falcons this year, $1.3 million from the Raiders this year, and a $10 million roster bonus from the Raiders on the third day of the 2027 league year. The move is certainly an interesting one for the Raiders, who have the No. 1 pick and are projected to draft quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Head coach Klint Kubiak recently said that in an ideal world, every rookie quarterback would sit on the bench for a few weeks, learning from a veteran. The signing of Cousins indicates that perhaps the Raiders will let Cousins start Week 1 while mentoring Mendoza, before the rookie eventually takes over as the starter midseason. That makes both quarterbacks difficult to trust in redraft leagues. The good news is that both Cousins and Mendoza should be able to support strong fantasy campaigns from Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers.

Apr 2

Ashton Jeanty • RB • Raiders

Ashton Jeanty Poised to Break Out with Improved Offense and Protection?

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty had an up-and-down rookie season in 2025, ultimately finishing as the overall RB11 in PPR leagues. His big games were absolutely electric, but he also had some dud performances, finishing with single-digit fantasy points on seven different occasions. Jeanty will look for more consistency in a new-look offense next year. For starters, the game script should improve under projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. He should be able to drive the Raiders down the field and execute a solid passing attack, forcing defenses to place less emphasis on slowing down Jeanty. Additionally, Vegas revamped its offensive line this offseason, and the improvements should allow the Boise State product to find more gaps and have more time to make plays. All in all, an upgraded offense puts Jeanty in a prime position to succeed next year. He should offer more consistency and a higher floor, ranking as a mid-range RB1 in redraft leagues and a high-end RB1 in dynasty leagues.

Apr 1

Dont'e Thornton Jr. • WR • Raiders

Is Dont'e Thornton Jr. Still Worth Rostering in Dynasty Formats?

A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. struggled to establish himself as a rookie. Across 15 games (eight starts), the 23-year-old recorded just 10 catches for 135 yards and zero touchdowns on 30 targets. However, Thornton Jr. should have a significantly improved offensive ecosystem around him in Las Vegas in 2026. The Raiders hired former Seattle Seahawks play-caller Klint Kubiak as their new head coach and are also widely expected to select University of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the number one overall pick in the upcoming draft. Additionally, the Las Vegas wide receiver depth chart currently looks like an open competition for playing time between incumbents Thornton Jr., Jack Bech, and Tre Tucker, as well as free agent additions Jalen Nailor and Dareke Young. Thornton Jr. did not show much reason for optimism as a rookie, so fantasy managers should proceed with caution. However, he also stands out as a buy-low candidate who could likely be acquired on the cheap after his underwhelming 2025 campaign.

Mar 29

Michael Mayer • TE • Raiders

Is Michael Mayer a Sneaky Buy-Low Candidate for Dynasty Managers?

The 35th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Las Vegas Raiders right end Michael Mayer flashed some upside by hauling in 27 receptions for 304 yards and two touchdowns on 40 targets as a rookie. However, Las Vegas drafted superstar tight end Brock Bowers in the first round in 2024, blocking Mayer from the Raiders' lead receiving tight end role. Even in a season in which Bowers missed five games due to injury in 2025, Mayer still finished the year with just 35 catches for 328 yards and one touchdown on 50 targets. The 24-year-old is now entering the final year of his rookie deal with Las Vegas and has yet to establish himself as a tight end who is worthy of a significant role in his team's passing game. In the deepest of dynasty leagues, Mayer could be worth buying low on in case he winds up on a different team in 2027. Still, his dynasty value has never been lower than it is entering 2026.

Mar 29

Najee Harris • RB • Raiders

Najee Harris to Meet With Raiders Next Thursday

Free-agent running back Najee Harris (Achilles) is scheduled to meet with the Las Vegas Raiders next Thursday, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The former Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers RB visited with the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday as he looks for his new home. The 28-year-old former 24th overall pick by the Steelers in 2021 out of Alabama began his NFL career with four straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons in the Steel City. He signed with the Chargers as a free agent last offseason, but he only appeared in three games for the Bolts in 2025 before suffering a season-ending torn Achilles tendon. Harris probably isn't an option to re-sign in L.A. after the Chargers picked up former Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell to give them depth behind Omarion Hampton. If Harris were to sign with Vegas, he'd be the clear backup to second-year back Ashton Jeanty and would merely be a handcuff option in fantasy football leagues.

Mar 27

Maxx Crosby • DE • Raiders

Maxx Crosby Dealing With Degenerative Knee Condition?

The Baltimore Ravens backed out of a potential trade for Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) earlier this month due to concerns that he had a degenerative issue in his knee, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Crosby was more than a month removed from surgery to fix a torn meniscus in his knee, and he began walking without crutches on Feb. 27. Sources with the Raiders and those close to Crosby "are skeptical" that his medical state was the sole reason for nixing the trade, which would have sent two first-round picks to the Raiders. "No one will ever admit what the real truth is," Crosby said. The consensus is that Crosby should be able to play in 2026, but the Ravens' concern "centered on the uncertainty of Crosby's durability after a couple of seasons" in Baltimore due to a "degenerative issue" in his knee. Crosby's surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, has reassured him that he's fine and is making significant progress in his rehab. It's unclear if the Raiders will still trade Crosby to a contender for 2026. Regardless of what uniform Crosby has on, he should be ready for Week 1 and will be as motivated as ever to produce. His long-term health could be in question, but in IDP fantasy leagues in 2026, Crosby will remain a high-end pass-rushing target.

Mar 24

Brock Bowers • TE • Raiders

Brock Bowers Set for a Major Quarterback Upgrade?

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is expected to receive a major quarterback upgrade this offseason. The Raiders traded away quarterback Geno Smith, opening the door for them to draft projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. While Mendoza's success in the NFL is far from guaranteed, he offers more upside than any quarterback Bowers has played with before. A potent passer could be exactly what Bowers needs to reclaim the top spot in the dynasty fantasy football rankings. Trey McBride closed the gap on Bowers last year, but Vegas' tight end is still an elite fantasy threat. He had 64 catches, 680 yards, and seven touchdowns across just 12 games last year, averaging 14.7 fantasy points per game in PPR formats. If he can put up those numbers with Smith as his quarterback, he can easily jump to a tier of his own with Mendoza at quarterback and offensive-minded head coach Klint Kubiak running the show. Given that he's due for improvement in 2026, Bowers might be worth buying in dynasty leagues. However, make no mistake about it -- he's not going to come cheap.

Mar 21

Tre Tucker • WR • Raiders

Tre Tucker Still a Fantasy Option Despite New Competition?

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker faces new competition in his position group this offseason after the team signed Jalen Nailor to a $35 million deal. Plus, familiar faces Jack Bech, Brock Bowers, and Michael Mayer remain in the mix as pass-catching threats. It may seem like a somewhat crowded receiver room for Tucker, who has yet to establish himself as a real fantasy threat week in and week out. However, there are still reasons for dynasty managers to be optimistic. First of all, Tucker is trending up after finishing as the overall WR38 in PPR leagues last year. That number was a bit skewed by some extreme outlier games, but it's still encouraging to see that he can deliver meaningful fantasy outputs to managers. Additionally, the Raiders are expected to upgrade at quarterback with projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. He's a clear improvement over Geno Smith, and his strong passing skills should be able to support fantasy-relevant production from several receivers often, and not just one receiver here and there. Tucker is definitely still going to have to earn the right to catch more passes in this offense, but he and the Raiders as a whole are trending up.

Mar 18

Jack Bech • WR • Raiders

Jack Bech Still Trending Up Despite Increased Competition?

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech will have to compete with some new faces in his position group next season. The Raiders invested more than $35 million into wide receiver Jalen Nailor, giving Vegas another top target to join Bech and Tre Tucker. Tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer will fetch plenty of targets next year, too. All in all, it's a somewhat crowded receiver room for someone like Bech, who has yet to establish himself as a consistent pass-catching threat week in and week out. Nevertheless, there are several reasons for dynasty managers to be optimistic. First of all, Bech is a glaring Year 2 breakout candidate after catching 12 passes from Week 13 through 16. He showed flashes of being able to handle a bigger role after the team traded away Jakobi Meyers. Additionally, the TCU product will get a major quarterback upgrade if the Raiders draft Fernando Mendoza, kicking off the post-Geno Smith era. Barring a major wide receiver addition in free agency or the draft, it looks like Bech will be the No. 2 or 3 receiver in Vegas next year, giving him decent upside and the potential to be a WR3/flex in deeper fantasy leagues.

Mar 18

Maxx Crosby • DE • Raiders

Maxx Crosby was "Livid" After Ravens Nixed Trade to Acquire Him

Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) said he was "livid" and "confused" by the Baltimore Ravens' decision to back out of a trade for him in exchange for two first-round picks, according to ESPN's Ryan McFadden. "Ultimately, it doesn't matter. I am where I'm supposed to be," Crosby said. The Ravens say they backed out because they had concerns about Crosby's knee. The 28-year-old had surgery in January to fix a torn meniscus in his left knee. His surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, said that Crosby is "doing very well in the early part of his rehab," and he is expected to be ready to play by training camp in late July. "I'm here. I'm meant to be a Raider," Crosby said. "I'm in this s--- for life until that changes, which I don't foresee, but you never know in this damn league." It remains to be seen if another team will offer the Raiders two first-rounders for Crosby. But a motivated Crosby could be even more super-charged in 2026. The five-time Pro Bowler has 69.5 sacks in his seven NFL seasons and has reached double-digit sacks in three of the last four years with the Raiders.

Mar 18

Jalen Nailor • WR • Raiders

Can Jalen Nailor be the No. 1 Wide Receiver in Las Vegas?

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor is expected to have increased fantasy value going forward. This offseason, Nailor hit free agency and signed with the Raiders, going from the No. 3 receiver in Minnesota to the potential No. 1 receiver in Vegas. He never quite emerged as a consistent week-over-week fantasy option in Minnesota, but he certainly flashed upside with a total of 10 touchdowns over the last two years. In each of those two seasons, he also had at least 28 catches and 414 yards. We don't quite know if Nailor is capable of making the jump to a top receiver role, so fantasy managers should temper expectations at least a little. Plus, Vegas also has Tre Tucker and Jack Bech on its roster, creating additional competition for Nailor, and we can't rule out the possibility of them drafting another pass-catcher. Finally, Vegas' offense could experience some growing pains in the first year under presumptive No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. All in all, there's upside here, but it's a bit too early to send out dynasty trade offers that would price Nailor as a top-40 fantasy receiver.

Mar 17

Maxx Crosby • DE • Raiders

Maxx Crosby Plans to be "200 Percent Ready" by Training Camp

After the Baltimore Ravens backed out of a blockbuster trade earlier this week to acquire Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby (knee), the 28-year-old defensive end said that by training camp, he's going to be "200% ready" and the world will get the "best version" of himself, per NFL Network's Gerald McCoy on Good Morning Football. Crosby had surgery to fix the meniscus in his knee in January, which likely contributed to Baltimore getting cold feet, but he apparently plans to be a full-go by this summer for either the Raiders or another team that wants to give up two first-round picks for him. Already one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL, who has been very durable in his career, the nixed trade to the Ravens might have lit a fire under Crosby. Right now, the five-time Pro Bowler says he's fully committed to the Ravens and has already been at the team's facilities. The former fourth-rounder has 69.5 sacks in his seven NFL seasons and has double-digit sacks in three of the last four years. Crosby will remain a high-end defensive line target in IDP leagues in 2026.

Mar 13

Ashton Jeanty • RB • Raiders

Ashton Jeanty Primed for Year 2 Breakout Behind Improved Offensive Line?

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty finished as the RB13 in his rookie season, despite being first contacted less than 0.7 yards beyond the line of scrimmage on average. By almost all metrics, the Raiders had one of the worst offensive lines in the league in 2025, an area they've made a concerted effort to improve in the early stages of free agency. Las Vegas made former Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum the highest-paid offensive player in this year's free agent class, committing to a three-year deal with a guaranteed $81 million, adding stability and identity to the pivot position. An unfortunate drawback to the Maxx Crosby trade debacle is that without the 14th pick in this year's draft, the Raiders are likely out of range to add top interior lineman, Olaivavega Ioane, but in a relatively deep class, they should be able to further bolster the trenches. With left tackle Kolton Miller also expected back at full health, Jeanty should find much-needed operating space in 2026 and a realistic chance to crack into RB1 territory.

Mar 13

Connor Heyward • TE • Raiders

Raiders Sign Fullback Connor Heyward

The Las Vegas Raiders have signed fullback Connor Heyward to a two-year deal worth up to $5.5 million, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The contract includes $2 million fully guaranteed. Heyward hit free agency earlier this week upon the expiration of his four-year rookie deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's scored a touchdown in three of his four pro seasons, and he posted a respectable 449 scrimmage yards during his time in the black and gold. Of course, handling the football is just a minor component of his role as a fullback. He's far more involved as a blocker, creating opportunities for the quarterback or running backs. He'll now take his talents to Las Vegas, where he'll be tasked with blocking for a young offense that features Ashton Jeanty and will also likely include projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza.

Mar 12

Maxx Crosby • DE • Raiders

Maxx Crosby Committed to Raiders After Trade Falls Apart

Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) is fully committed to making it work with the Raiders after the trade with the Baltimore Ravens fell apart on Tuesday, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. "Everything Happens For A Reason," Crosby wrote in a post on X. "Believe Nothing You Hear & Half Of What You See. Im A Raider. I'm Back. Run That S---." Baltimore agreed late last week to acquire Crosby in exchange for two first-round picks. The 28-year-old had surgery in January to fix a torn meniscus in his left knee that caused the Raiders to hold him out against his will for the final two games of 2025. His agent, CJ LaBoy, said that Crosby is ahead of schedule in his recovery and is on track to return during the offseason program. It remains to be seen if another team will be willing to give up two first-rounders to acquire Crosby, whose long-term injury situation is a bit murky. Wherever he's playing in 2026, though, Crosby will be a strong defensive line target in IDP fantasy leagues as long as he's healthy.

Mar 12

Las Vegas Raiders News

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