Las Vegas Raiders News

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Michael Mayer • TE • Raiders

Is Michael Mayer a Sneaky Dynasty Buy?

Once viewed as a top-10 dynasty tight end following his early-second round selection in the 2023 NFL draft, Las Vegas Raiders three-year veteran Michael Mayer has seen his stock dip season after season. With the Raiders bringing in an entirely new coaching staff for the second year in a row, Mayer has again seen his name floated in trade speculation, with dynasty managers hoping a change of scenery can revive his value. A dominant receiving tight end while at Notre Dame, Mayer has shown the occasional flash with the Raiders, notably finishing the 2025 season with 136 yards on 14 targets while Brock Bowers was sidelined for Weeks 17 and 18. If Mayer is indeed traded, he should see his value spike, but even if he remains in Las Vegas, new head coach Klint Kubiak could find more creative uses for a player that still ranks among the most talented offensive weapons on the team.

21 hours ago

Geno Smith • QB • Raiders

Geno Smith Likely Out of a Job in Vegas

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith had an ugly first season with the team, and it likely cost him his starting job. Smith signed a two-year, $75 million deal with the Raiders last offseason, reuniting with head coach Pete Caroll. The reunion didn't result in a successful season. Vegas went 3-14, Carroll was let go, and Smith posted a horrific 19:17 TD:INT ratio with a career-high 55 sacks. One of the few positive storylines of the Raiders' season was that they ended up with the No. 1 draft pick, giving them the right to select any eligible prospect they'd like. Presumably, that player will be Indiana quarterback and national champion Fernando Mendoza. In all likelihood, Mendoza will win the starting job right away. That could move Smith to a backup role, but more likely, the veteran quarterback will be released with one year left on his contract. Releasing him creates $8 million in cap space with $18.5 million in dead money, offering the Raiders a fresh start with Mendoza and first-year head coach Klint Kubiak. Smith should be avoided in all dynasty and redraft leagues.

Yesterday

Dont'e Thornton Jr. • WR • Raiders

Dont'e Thornton Jr. Expected to Get a Quarterback Upgrade

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. had an underwhelming rookie season, catching just 10 of his 30 targets for 135 yards through 15 games. There was plenty of preseason hype about the Tennessee product, so it was frustrating to see that he never really produced at a significant level. Part of the blame falls on Thornton himself, but we can also attribute some of it to the poor state of the Raiders' offense. Quarterback Geno Smith struggled during his first year with the team, amassing 17 interceptions and just 19 touchdowns. All signs point to Vegas drafting college football standout Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, which would put the offense in a better state and potentially lead to more upside for Thornton. He could also pick up some additional targets with veteran Tyler Lockett headed for free agency. The 23-year-old is a very intriguing buy-low candidate in dynasty leagues after his quiet season. Dynasty managers may have already grown impatient with Thornton, meaning that he could be acquired at minimal cost.

Yesterday

Tre Tucker • WR • Raiders

How Will Tre Tucker Fit Into Klint Kubiak's Offense?

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker has seen his average depth of target drop precipitously through each of his first three seasons in the league, leaving many questioning whether the Raiders have truly taken advantage of his 4.4-second 40-yard dash speed. With incoming head coach Klint Kubiak coming off a Super Bowl season with Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba, he'll need to rely more on scheme than personnel if he hopes to succeed in his early days in Las Vegas. Kubiak employed rookie Tory Horton sparingly but effectively as a downfield weapon in Seattle, but he was not able to strike the same chord with fellow speedster Rashid Shaheed following a midseason trade. The Raiders offense will presumably run through tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty, but Tucker still profiles as Vegas' de facto number one receiver. Hints of how Kubiak elects to use him should come as early as free agency and the draft, but Tucker will be an intriguing name to monitor heading into 2026 training camps.

3 days ago

Jack Bech • WR • Raiders

Jack Bech's Dynasty Stock Trending Downward After Underwhelming Rookie Season

A second-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech was viewed as a potential breakout candidate heading into his rookie season. However, the 23-year-old struggled in his first NFL campaign, hauling in just 20 receptions for 224 yards and zero touchdowns on 29 targets across 16 games played. On the bright side, Bech was more productive down the stretch of the season, after Las Vegas traded away veteran wideout Jakobi Meyers at the trade deadline. Across his last five games of 2025, Bech recorded 12 catches for 132 yards on 17 targets. Outside of star tight end Brock Bowers and any possible 2026 draft day additions, no dominant pass-catchers are standing in the way of Bech earning more playing time and targets. The Raiders may also have a talent infusion under center, as Las Vegas is widely expected to take Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the number one overall selection in the upcoming NFL Draft. Still, Bech did little as a rookie to establish himself as an up-and-coming star, and his fantasy stock in dynasty leagues is trending downward after his underwhelming rookie season.

4 days ago

Maxx Crosby • DE • Raiders

Raiders Still Have "a Lot to Repair" With Maxx Crosby

Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) has been in the team's building every day as he works out and rehabs the surgically repaired meniscus in his knee, and he recently had a positive discussion with new head coach Klint Kubiak. However, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said on the Rich Eisen Show that there are "a lot of other fences that would need to be mended" for Crosby to stay in Vegas. The 28-year-old five-time Pro Bowler has already been through six different head coaches with the Raiders and has only been to the playoffs once. Crosby still has an affinity for the franchise and owner Mark Davis, but he's in the process of determining whether he wants to be traded. Pelissero adds that meanwhile, the Raiders figuring out if it makes sense to keep Crosby, especially if they can get two first-round picks for him to aid their rebuild. With the drama between Crosby and Vegas aside, he should be a high-end defensive lineman target in IDP fantasy leagues in 2026, regardless of where he's playing, if he's healthy for the start of the 2026 season.

5 days ago

Maxx Crosby • DE • Raiders

Raiders Want Maxx Crosby Back

Las Vegas Raiders new head coach Klint Kubiak said on Tuesday that the team wants All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) back, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. "We want him to be a part of our success going forward, there's no doubt about that," Kubiak said. Trade speculation surrounding Crosby has been rampant since the end of the 2025 season, when the Raiders shut the 28-year-old down with two games remaining against his wishes. Surgery on his meniscus in the offseason further complicates a potential trade, although NFL Network's Ian Rapoport suggested on Monday that Crosby could be traded before the start of free agency in March. If the Raiders can get a return similar to what the Cowboys did for Micah Parsons -- two first-rounders and defensive tackle Kenny Clark -- it might be hard for the team to turn that down as they enter a rebuild. Regardless of where Crosby is playing in 2026, if he's fully healthy, he should be a must-start defensive lineman in IDP fantasy leagues.

7 days ago

Maxx Crosby • DE • Raiders

Maxx Crosby Could be Traded Before Free Agency

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it's "not impossible" that the Las Vegas Raiders trade All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) before the start of free agency in March. Crosby is around a month into his recovery from surgery on his meniscus, which typically carries a recovery time of three to four months. The 28-year-old has spent his entire seven-year career with the Raiders, but it remains to be seen if he wants to stick around for another rebuild with a new coaching staff under head coach Klint Kubiak. Crosby is ahead of schedule in his recovery from knee surgery, but he's unlikely to be medically cleared before free agency officially begins on March 11. It means that if Crosby is traded, it likely wouldn't be until later, perhaps at the 2026 NFL Draft or before the regular season. When healthy, he's been one of the league's best pass-rushers, earning five straight Pro Bowl nods and racking up 69.5 career sacks. Crosby would generate significant interest around the league if the Raiders are serious about trading him.

Feb 9

Derek Carr • QB • Raiders

Derek Carr Could Come Out of Retirement for the Right Situation

Former Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr could be tempted to come out of retirement for the right situation, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. The Saints still control the rights of the now 34-year-old Carr, who retired in May of 2025 following a season-ending labral tear, and New Orleans could seek trade compensation should he unretire. In his abbreviated two seasons with the Saints, Carr completed over 68% of his passes for 40 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. While Carr himself has not publicly declared any intentions of an NFL return, a weak 2026 rookie quarterback class and a higher-than-normal coaching turnover could leave several teams in search of a veteran quarterback.

Feb 8

Maxx Crosby • DE • Raiders

Maxx Crosby Says he's Ahead of Schedule in Rehab From Knee Injury

Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) said on Friday that he's ahead of schedule in his rehab from left knee surgery that he had around a month ago, according to ESPN. "I'm ahead of schedule, and it's business as usual," Crosby said. "It's my eighth surgery in seven years. It's something that I've gotten used to. It's all about perspective, about how you approach what you want to accomplish. I'm willing to run that marathon." The Raiders put the 28-year-old on Injured Reserve with two games left in the 2025 season, which started speculation about Crosby's future in Sin City. Crosby was not happy with the move and left the team's facilities. It's unclear exactly how Crosby feels, but there have been plenty of rumors that he doesn't want to go through another rebuild after the team finished 3-14 last year. Regardless of where he's playing in 2026, Crosby will remain a high-end DE in fantasy IDP leagues after posting double-digit sacks in three of the last four years.

Feb 7

Maxx Crosby • DE • Raiders

Maxx Crosby's Time in Vegas Coming to an End?

FOX Sports' Jay Glazer said on Wednesday that he believes All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby's time with the Las Vegas Raiders will come to an end this year, potentially via trade before the 2026 NFL Draft. Glazer believes that if Crosby is traded, he should fetch more than Micah Parsons did when the Dallas Cowboys sent him to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. The 28-year-old defensive end doesn't want to stick around for another rebuild with the Raiders and clearly wants out. He is under contract for three more seasons after signing a three-year, $106.5 million contract in March of last year. Although Crosby finished the 2025 season on Injured Reserve due to a knee injury, he rarely misses time and has racked up 44.5 sacks over the last four seasons. He's already a top-tier defensive lineman in IDP formats, but a trade to a contender could make him even more valuable.

Feb 4

Ashton Jeanty • RB • Raiders

Ashton Jeanty Could Emerge With Improved Supporting Cast in 2026

Given his status as the No. 6 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, expectations were high for Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty coming into his rookie season. Despite having a miserable supporting cast around him in Las Vegas, the 22-year-old managed to rack up 1,321 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns on 321 touches. Still, he left a lot to be desired from an efficiency perspective. Jeanty averaged just 3.7 yards per carry and 4.1 yards per touch in 2025. Heading into 2026, the Raiders will have a new coaching staff and potentially a new quarterback in place, which could help to maximize Jeanty's talent. However, the team may struggle to completely overhaul its offensive line, which profiled as one of the league's worst this past season. Jeanty remains an ultra-high-upside fantasy running back in dynasty formats, but both he and his organization will enter 2026 with plenty to prove.

Jan 30

Davis Webb • QB • Raiders

Davis Webb to Withdraw From Raiders Head-Coaching Search

Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb plans to withdraw from the Las Vegas Raiders' head-coaching search and is considered a prime candidate to be promoted to offensive coordinator in Denver, a source told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Webb has also received several offensive-coordinator requests around the league, including with the Buffalo Bills. In addition to interviewing for the Raiders' head-coaching job, Webb interviewed with the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills before they hired Jesse Minter and Joe Brady, respectively. The Broncos fired OC Joe Lombardi earlier this week, likely with the intention of promoting Webb under head coach Sean Payton. A former backup QB, Webb has been a hot name in the coaching cycle this year. Given his experience working with quarterback Bo Nix (ankle) the last two years, keeping Webb around in 2026 would be a big win for the Broncos.

Jan 30

Brock Bowers • TE • Raiders

Brock Bowers Looking to Put Knee Injury in the Past in 2026

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) had a sophomore season to forget in 2025, as he only played in 12 games and ended the year on Injured Reserve. The 23-year-old former 13th overall pick in 2024 out of Georgia injured his knee in the Week 1 season opener and wasn't quite himself the rest of the year before eventually being shut down. Still, Bowers managed to finish as the TE10 in half-PPR scoring with 64 receptions for 680 yards and seven touchdowns. It was quite the disappointment for fantasy managers after Bowers had a 112-1,194-5 season in 17 games in his rookie campaign. Bowers is expected to be fully healthy for the start of the 2026 season, when he's expected to be working with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza -- the projected first overall pick by Vegas. Even though the Raiders are expected to have a rookie QB, Bowers should be a high-end TE1 target yet again.

Jan 28

Davis Webb • QB • Raiders

Raiders Request to Interview Davis Webb for Head-Coaching Job

The Las Vegas Raiders requested an interview with Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb for their head-coaching job, sources told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Webb is only 30 years old and spent six years as an NFL QB before going straight into coaching. Pelissero thinks Webb is a "fascinating candidate" who "has been on the fast track." After firing veteran head coach Pete Carroll on Black Monday, minority owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek might be going the unconventional approach to hiring their next head coach, especially since they are expected to draft Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in April. Webb has worked with Russell Wilson (one season) and Bo Nix in his three years in Denver. This will be his first head-coaching interview. The Raiders are also expected to interview Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak for the position.

Jan 7

Raheem Mostert • RB • Raiders

Raheem Mostert Inactive for Raiders' Season Finale

Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. He had been listed as questionable after practicing in a limited capacity on Friday. Mostert finishes the season having missed two consecutive games. In his absence, Zamir White and Dylan Laube should earn more snaps as the No. 2 running back behind Ashton Jeanty. This game is meaningless for both the Raiders, who have already secured the No. 1 pick in the draft, and the Chiefs, who were previously eliminated from playoff contention. We could see this Kenny Pickett-led offense get creative with personnel on Sunday, but Jeanty is the only Vegas running back who can be started with confidence in fantasy football.

Jan 4

Michael Mayer • TE • Raiders

Michael Mayer a Top Fantasy Option with Teammate Sidelined?

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer should continue to operate in a high-volume role during Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders recently placed Brock Bowers (knee) on injured reserve, ending his season and putting Mayer into the starting role for the final two games of the year. Last weekend, he exploded as the top target in Geno Smith's offense, catching nine of 10 targets for 89 yards. In total, throughout the three games that Bowers has missed and Mayer has played this year, the latter tight end has 15 catches, 149 yards, and one touchdown. A quarterback change is expected in Week 18, though, as Kenny Pickett steps in for the injured Smith (ankle). Pickett struggled to the tune of 64 yards and one turnover in his lone start this year, but he should still be able to support a fantasy-relevant role for Mayer on Sunday. At worst, Mayer will operate as a security blanket in case Pickett struggles to throw the ball deep or needs to get the ball out quickly. As it stands, he ranks as the overall TE8 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 18.

Jan 4

Ashton Jeanty • RB • Raiders

Ashton Jeanty has RB2 Appeal for Week 18

Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty needs 112 yards in Week 18 to surpass the 1,000-yard mark for his rookie campaign. Jeanty has been finding more success on the ground lately, with 188 rushing yards over his last two games. He figures to continue being the workhorse back during the regular-season finale versus the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. He could have trouble finding room to run with the Chiefs having a top-10 run defense this season. Jeanty has big-play upside, though, which keeps him in RB2 territory despite a tough matchup. The Raiders figure to go run-heavy with quarterbacks Kenny Pickett or Aidan O'Connell under center.

Jan 4

Kenny Pickett • QB • Raiders

Kenny Pickett to be in QB Rotation on Sunday

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll refused to name a starting quarterback for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, according to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN. "You'll see on Sunday," Carroll said. The head coach added that there is "a rotation in mind" between Kenny Pickett and Aidan O'Connell. Geno Smith (ankle) has already been ruled out. Pickett is expected to make the start against the Chiefs, but he may not play the entire game before giving way to O'Connell, who has yet to play a snap this year. In Pickett's lone start against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15, Pickett went 15-for-25 passing for only 64 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. Fantasy managers should definitely be staying away from the Raiders' QB situation in Week 18 in a meaningless game.

Jan 3

Michael Mayer • TE • Raiders

Michael Mayer a High-Volume Option With Teammate Out

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer had the most productive game of his NFL career in Week 17, hauling in nine of 10 targets for 89 yards in the 34-10 loss to the New York Giants. With star tight end Brock Bowers (knee) on injured reserve, Mayer will have a full workload for the remainder of the 2025 season. Mayer played 93% of the snaps in Week 17, had a 36% target share, and accounted for over 50% of the team's passing yards. Quarterback Geno Smith threw for only 176 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions against the Giants, which will cap the tight end's upside if his struggles continue. With a tough matchup upcoming against the Kansas City Chiefs, who rank eighth in the NFL in fantasy points allowed to tight ends, Mayer will be a safe, high-volume option at the position in Week 18.

Jan 1

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