On paper, the Raiders look dramatically different from the team that finished last season tied for the NFL’s worst record.
Klint Kubiak replaced Pete Carroll as the head coach. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the Indiana Heisman Trophy winner and national champion, was drafted first overall, and big additions were made at linebacker, the offensive and defensive lines, and in the secondary.
It’s setting up as one of the most interesting offseasons and training camps in years for the Raiders, who will spend the next three months making big decisions on starting jobs and roster spots.
Here are three of the biggest positional battles to keep an eye on:
Quarterback
It’s only a matter of time before the Raiders hand the keys to Mendoza, but they are determined not to rush the process. It’s not only an issue of not pushing the rookie too soon. It’s also their determination to be ready, from an infrastructure standpoint, to support him.
Having seen too many teams over the years fail young quarterbacks by forcing them into untenable situations, they are adamant about not making the same mistake.
It’s why they signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who can serve as the bridge to Mendoza if need be. The Raiders will spend the rest of the offseason and training camp making that determination.
But here is the thing: The more the Raiders get to know Mendoza, the more he’s in the building, the more they see the diligence, work ethic and talent, the more they might be convinced he’ll not only be ready to win the job out of training camp but he’s built and wired in a way that can withstand the inevitable growing pains.
His own, and that of the rebuilding Raiders.
Watching that all unfold will be one of the NFL’s most fascinating storylines.
Offensive line
The Raiders fielded the NFL’s worst offensive line last year. It was a multilayered issue that spanned personnel deficiencies, injuries to key players and a coaching problem that one person in their building described as “the worst I’ve ever seen.”
One of Kubiak’s most important hires was veteran offensive line coach Rick Dennison, who has a long track record of getting more out of less and building strong, cohesive offensive lines.
It also helps that the Raiders will get back left tackle Kolton Miller, who was cut down in Week 4 last year with an ankle injury, and made former Ravens standout Tyler Linderbaum the highest-paid center in league history.
Miller and Linderbaum are a solid starting point, but successfully filling the other three positions will determine the fate of the Raiders’ offensive line.
It’s all predicated on the growth and development of five prospects who were drafted between the second and third rounds over the last three years — all of whom are battling for starting jobs — and the viability of Spencer Burford, a former 49ers starting guard signed in free agency.
Veteran Jordan Meredith will also be in the mix.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, selected in the second round in 2024, needs to show he can be a consistent player and stay on the field after missing significant time over his first two seasons with injuries. He’s got Pro Bowl abilities, but it’s time for him to put it all together. It will be a big disappointment if he doesn’t win one of the guard jobs.
Caleb Rogers, a 2025 third-round pick, and Trey Zuhn III, a 2026 third-rounder, will also vie for starting roles at guard, with Zuhn III also able to play tackle.
DJ Glaze, a starter the last two seasons after being selected in the third round in 2024, and 2025 third-rounder Charles Grant are the primary candidates at right tackle. Zuhn III will be in the mix as well.
Without question, the battle at both guard spots and right tackle will be a major focus throughout the summer.
Secondary
The Raiders have plenty to get sorted out at wide receiver, specifically identifying a viable WR3, and along the interior of their defensive line as they transition to a base 3-4 defense.
But the bigger issue is in the secondary, an area the club believes it’s added significant talent to over the last 13 months.
Right now, only cornerback Eric Stokes and safety Jeremy Chinn have strongholds on starting jobs. It’s up for grabs beyond that, though.
Veteran slot cornerback Taron Johnson, whom the Raiders traded for during the offseason, is the front-runner at that position, but he’s been MIA during OTAs due to contract-related issues.
Johnson is due $18 million over the next two seasons, but his $8.1 million salary for this year and the $9 million he is on the books for next year are non-guaranteed. It makes sense he wants more security.
Darien Porter, a third-round pick from Iowa State last year, is penciled in as the starter opposite Stokes.
But Jermod McCoy will have a big say in that.
The former Tennessee star was considered the best cornerback prospect in the 2026 draft, but concerns about the longevity of his surgically repaired knee pushed him all the way to the fourth round. If he’s healthy, he is arguably the most talented cornerback on the roster and will push for immediate playing time.
The Raiders drafted Arizona safety Treydan Stukes in the second round last month, and while he is projected to push Isaiah Pola-Mao for the starting job at free safety, he can also play slot cornerback if Johnson’s situation isn’t resolved.
Rookie safety Dalton Johnson and cornerback Hezekiah Masses, both of whom were drafted in the fifth round, will also vie for playing time, if not starting roles.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
