Las Vegas Raiders News

The Athletic's Sam Warren writes that the Las Vegas Raiders like wide receiver Jalen Nailor to "take a big leap in a more featured role" in 2026. Nailor will be a starter alongside Tre Tucker and Jack Bech after signing a three-year, $35 million deal in free agency in March. The 27-year-old former sixth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 out of Michigan State showed flashes with the Vikings, but his fantasy value was always capped as the No. 3 with the Vikes behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Nailor had a career-high six touchdowns in 17 games in 2024 and caught 29 passes for a career-high 444 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games in 2025 in his final season in Minnesota. He'll be reunited with former QB Kirk Cousins to start the 2026 campaign in Vegas, and there is plenty of opportunity since the Raiders didn't address the receiver position in this year's draft. At the very least, Nailor will be in play as a weekly WR4/flex in redraft leagues for the upcoming season, while his dynasty stock has more long-term upside as he begins to work with No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

Former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the consensus No. 1 overall selection in this year's draft by the Las Vegas Raiders after his near-flawless performance in the College Football Playoff, which was capped by his heroic performance in the national title game to beat Miami. Most analysts believe that Mendoza is one of the more complete QB prospects because of his scarcity of turnovers and his mix of intelligence, size, and movement. However, a coach who had faced Mendoza when he played for Cal doesn't think his skill set will translate well to the next level. "He's a good decision-maker, but I don't think he's got the NFL traits," the coach said. "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." Mendoza had a knack for delivering on the big stage, in addition to his other impressive physical skills. However, he lacks the experience of playing under center, which is what is going to be asked of him in head coach Klint Kubiak's offense. There will be a learning curve there, which is why the Raiders prefer to have the young QB sit and learn behind veteran Kirk Cousins early in his NFL career. Mendoza should be the No. 2 pick in rookie-only dynasty drafts this year.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers broke the rookie reception record in 2024 and came into 2025 as the TE1 in consensus dynasty rankings. Not to be outdone, Arizona's Trey McBride broke the tight end reception record with 126 grabs in 2025, momentarily pushing Bowers to TE2 in those same rankings. Over the course of the offseason, Bowers has reclaimed the top spot in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, and he projects as a true difference-maker for the foreseeable future. Bowers injured his knee in the first game of the season, but continued playing through a PCL sprain and bone bruise, though he was visibly hampered until the team opted to rest him from Weeks 5 through 8. Upon his return, he scored 14.2 Half-PPR points per game, but with Vegas trending towards the first overall pick, he was eventually put on season-ending injured reserve before Week 17. While the Raiders spent the offseason building around that first overall pick, which officially became Fernando Mendoza in April, they added very few meaningful pass-catchers, with Jalen Nailor representing the biggest addition to a room led by Tre Tucker in 2025. With Bowers just seven targets away from leading the team while missing five games and never playing at full health, the expectation is that he could lap the field in 2026, giving him an extreme positional advantage and making the 23-year-old tight end one of the most valuable players in both redraft and dynasty leagues.

Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL draft, primarily took snaps under center during the media viewing period of rookie minicamp over the weekend, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. It's what Mendoza is expected to do in new head coach Klint Kubiak's offensive scheme whenever he gets the nod to start under center. Mendoza said he "still has a long way to go" to learn to play under center after he operated mostly in shotgun formation at California and Indiana in college. The young signal-caller took a total of five snaps under center in three collegiate seasons. The Heisman Trophy winner is putting his best foot forward with his offensive linemen and is trying to take in as much information as possible as he heads into his first year in the NFL in 2026. In rookie-only dynasty drafts, Mendoza will most likely be the No. 2 player off the board, behind Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love. In Year 1, Mendoza is expected to sit behind veteran Kirk Cousins to begin the year, and the Raiders wouldn't be opposed to the young QB working as the backup for his entire rookie season. It means fantasy managers should avoid Mendoza in single-year setups.

The Las Vegas Raiders did extensive homework on former Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy's (knee) injury before taking him in the fourth round of this year's NFL draft, and the team is optimistic about his chances of playing in 2026, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. McCoy could need a procedure on his knee at some point in the future, but the Raiders are hopeful the 20-year-old defensive back can avoid that in the short term. "This felt like John Spytek's draft," one rival executive said about the Raiders. It's considered a good thing after former head coach Pete Carroll's influence was heavy during the draft in 2025. McCoy said his knee currently feels good after he missed all of the 2025 season with the Volunteers after suffering a torn ACL. If not for his knee injury, McCoy was considered a top-10 talent in this year's draft class. The Raiders won't know more about the young cornerback until they get him in their building to work him back into playing shape. If he's healthy come Week 1, McCoy is expected to compete for playing time with Darien Porter and Eric Stokes.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker led the team in 2025 with 90 targets and 696 receiving yards. Of course, All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers was slowed by injury in the first week of the season, ultimately missing five games with a PCL sprain and bone bruise. Running back Ashton Jeanty also caught 55 passes as a rookie and could see a heavier workload in year two, but with the Raiders making few additions to the receiver room through either free agency or the draft, the spot of a third target earner is still very much up for grabs in Klint Kubiak's offense. Vegas signed Jalen Nailor to a three-year, $35 million deal and selected Malik Benson in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, adding to a room of Tucker and 2025 second and fourth-round picks, Jack Bech and D'onte Thornton Jr. While Tucker should earn starters reps again in 2026, his upside could be capped by a 37-year-old Kirk Cousins and a rookie Fernando Mendoza, and with only one year remaining on his rookie contract, the long-term plays in Vegas are more likely Nailor and Bech, before even addressing the loaded 2027 draft class. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR92, Tucker is not going to draw many suitors on the open trade market, but could be a useful throw-in as part of a larger deal.

The Las Vegas Raiders have made a near-total overhaul to a roster that went a league-worst 3-14 in 2025, but one position group that has gone largely untouched is wide receiver, which should provide ample opportunity for 2025 second-round pick Jack Bech to improve upon his rookie season. In his first year out of TCU, Bech caught only 20 passes for 224 yards with zero scores, but with Jalen Nailor representing Vegas's biggest addition through either free agency or the draft, the path to a larger workload is clear and obvious. Despite signing a three-year, $35 million deal, Nailor has never reached 30 receptions or 450 yards through four seasons with the Vikings, and he joins a wide receiver room that was led by Tre Tucker in 2025 with only 696 yards on 57 receptions. The top true receiver on the team is, and will be, tight end Brock Bowers, while running back Ashton Jeanty could be in line for the team's second biggest target share after making 55 catches as a rookie, but the rest of the receiving competition is not insurmountable. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR84, the 23-year-old Bech is a low-cost buy, and with the Raiders bypassing the chance to take Indiana's Elijah Sarratt in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, he could become the new big-bodied ball winner for first overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

After spending the first four seasons of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, wide receiver Jalen Nailor landed a three-year, $35 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this offseason. Nailor's numbers from 2025 don't jump off the page, as he recorded just 29 receptions for 444 yards and four touchdowns on 53 targets across 17 games. However, the 27-year-old has been stuck behind the star wide receiver duo of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison for the past few seasons in Minnesota. With Las Vegas, Nailor could be the team's WR1 and the number two option in the passing game behind tight end Brock Bowers. Nailor's main competition in the Raiders' wide receiver room is Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, Dareke Young, Dont'e Thornton Jr., and 2026 sixth-round pick Malik Benson. In dynasty formats, Nailor's value is rising as he heads into the best target-volume situation of his career.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins signed a two-year deal to serve as a bridge quarterback until first overall pick Fernando Mendoza is ready to take over. At the NFL's Annual League Meeting, new head coach Klint Kubiak shared his belief that a rookie quarterback should learn behind the scenes for as long as possible, and shortly thereafter, Cousins was brought in on a team-friendly contract. Kubiak also expressed a desire to split backfield carries before adding Mike Washington Jr. in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, so he appears to have a clear plan in his first year at the helm. The Raiders have made notable improvements to the offensive line and defense a year after earning the first overall pick by going 3-14, so Cousins could be provided ample leash to allow Mendoza to develop into an NFL professional. As a quarterback expected to start more than a handful of games in 2026, he could be drastically underpriced as RotoBaller's dynasty QB47, and how he looks to open the season could determine his future value should the Raiders allow him to hit free agency again in 2027 at the age of 38.

The Las Vegas Raiders have selected Oregon wide receiver Malik Benson with the 195th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. A deep ball specialist, Benson had his most productive season as a senior for the Ducks after beginning in JUCO and making stops at Alabama and Florida State. His game lacks nuance, but he showcased his elite speed by running a 4.37 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, and he now lands with a team that has historically valued receivers who can play vertically. Benson joins a receiver room of Jalen Nailor, Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, and Dont'e Thornton Jr., all of whom are likely to slot in behind Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty in the target pecking order. Benson will likely need to find a special teams role to make the team out of camp, but he could eventually offer upside in best ball only leagues.

The Las Vegas Raiders have selected Arkansas running back prospect Mike Washington Jr. with the 122nd overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Washington joins a backfield that lacks much depth behind former first-rounder Ashton Jeanty. Washington will presumably compete for the backup role with Dylan Laube, the New Hampshire product who has just 27 scrimmage yards through two seasons. Washington has experience as a productive ball-carrier at a Power 4 program, amassing 1,070 rushing yards, 226 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns with the Razorbacks in 2025. Depending on whether the Raiders make any other backfield additions this offseason, Washington could have immediate dynasty appeal as the handcuff behind Jeanty, especially in an upward-trending Raiders offense led by No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza.

The Las Vegas Raiders have selected Tennessee cornerback prospect Jermod McCoy (knee) with the 101st overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. McCoy was once regarded as an elite prospect and potential top-10 pick, but he fell to Day 3 because NFL teams were concerned that he would require a future surgery to replace a bone plug used to repair a cartilage defect in his knee. An additional surgery would jeopardize his rookie season and also have a negative effect on his career. By pick No. 101, the Raiders decided that was a risk worth taking, and they came to terms on a trade with the Bills to move up one slot and select McCoy. He hasn't played since 2024, when he logged 44 tackles and four interceptions across 13 games with the Volunteers.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on Thursday that Las Vegas Raiders veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is expected to mentor first overall pick Fernando Mendoza this year, and Cousins is expected to be the team's starter under center to kick off the regular season in early September. Rapoport also says that the Raiders hope Cousins can run the offense all year while Mendoza learns on the sidelines. In a perfect scenario, Mendoza would be ready to roll as the full-time starter in 2027. Given Cousins' declining play and elevated injury risk at 37 years old, it would be a surprise if he were the Raiders' starter in 2026 from wire to wire. The 22-year-old Mendoza should be the No. 2 pick in rookie-only dynasty/keeper leagues this year, behind only Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love. The Indiana product doesn't have a ton of dual-threat upside at the next level, but his accuracy in the pocket should give him a safe long-term fantasy floor while paired with offensive-minded head coach Klint Kubiak. In redraft leagues, Mendoza won't be as attractive in 2026, but he'll still have appeal as a QB2 with upside in superflex setups if Cousins falters or gets hurt.

The Las Vegas Raiders officially selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday night. What we've known for months is finally official. The 22-year-old Heisman Trophy winner led Indiana to an undefeated season in 2025 and the national championship by completing 72% of his 379 pass attempts for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and only six interceptions in 16 games played. He was also a threat on the ground, carrying the ball 90 times for 276 yards and seven touchdowns. Running back Jeremiyah Love should come off the board first in rookie-only dynasty drafts, but Mendoza should be 1.02 in superflex leagues. The Raiders signed veteran Kirk Cousins to serve as a short-term bridge as the Raiders ease Mendoza into the NFL spotlight, but Mendoza should take over the starting gig under center in Vegas sooner rather than later. Mendoza will have a high-end fantasy ceiling in dynasty/keeper leagues because of his elite accuracy, quick release, and excellent decision-making skills. He's not quite a high-end dual threat as a rusher, but he should have a safe floor in the long-term. The Indiana product has been compared to both Cousins and Jared Goff for his ability to pick a defense apart from the pocket with pinpoint accuracy.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been the anticipated first overall pick for months, and on Thursday night, when the 2026 NFL Draft opens, the Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion will officially become a Las Vegas Raider. The Raiders have made moves all offseason to set their young investment up for long-term success. New head coach Klint Kubiak is fresh off a Super Bowl win with the Seahawks, and the team made Tyler Linderbaum the highest-paid center in NFL history. Vegas also signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who should allow Mendoza some runway to learn behind the scenes. In the right atmosphere, which the team has clearly made strides to build around him, Mendoza has the play style, size, and makeup to enjoy a long and successful NFL career. How that translates to fantasy impact may be a different story. While he is a capable runner in got-to-have-it situations, Mendoza will not reliably add fantasy points with his legs, which is why he is not even locked in as a top-two selection in superflex rookie drafts. While the Raiders appear to be getting a player who can grow into the face of the franchise, he will enter the league as RotoBaller's dynasty QB16, and his fantasy ceiling may ultimately top out as a midrange QB2.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty was one of the hottest names in dynasty fantasy football just one year ago. The buzz around the Boise State product has cooled down slightly, and managers should capitalize on this opportunity to acquire the running back in dynasty fantasy football leagues. It felt like there was this perception during the regular season that Jeanty was inconsistent, or perhaps even underperforming. The former may be true, but the latter certainly isn't, as Jeanty finished his rookie campaign as the RB11 in PPR leagues with 975 rushing yards, 346 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns. The softened narrative was likely caused by the state of the Raiders' offense, as the team limped to a 3-14 record that was the worst in the NFL. That narrative will shift in the coming weeks as the Raiders embark on a new chapter with consensus No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. The state of Vegas' offense is trending up, and Mendoza's presence should drive up the value of all Raiders skill players in fantasy football, including Jeanty. Plus, in a draft that is relatively sparse at the running back position, we don't expect the Raiders to bring in any major competition for the former first-round pick. All in all, Jeanty continues to trend up and should be in the conversation as a potential top-five fantasy running back in 2026. He has top-tier upside in dynasty fantasy football leagues, ranking as RotoBaller's overall RB3. Dynasty managers should buy now before it's too late.

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.

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.

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.

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.