LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

OVERVIEW

The Raiders fired Pete Carroll after a rough 3-14 debut season and hired Klint Kubiak, fresh off Seattle's Super Bowl-winning offense, as head coach. Las Vegas built its entire offseason around eventual franchise quarterback Fernando Mendoza, signing veteran Kirk Cousins as a bridge starter, paying center Tyler Linderbaum a record deal, and bolstering the defense with Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean, and Kwity Paye. Cousins should start most of the season while Mendoza develops without pressure. Ashton Jeanty looks poised for a bigger season behind an improved offensive line after a solid rookie year in a bad offense, though he did suffer a sprained ankle during training camp, and Brock Bowers returns healthy as the clear centerpiece of the passing game after an injury-hit 2025. The receiving corps outside Bowers remains thin, but the defense — anchored by Maxx Crosby and newly added playmakers — should be a genuine strength.

Head Coach

KLINT KUBIAK

Offensive Coordinator

ANDREW JANOCKO

Defensive Coordinator

ROB LEONARD

OFF SEASON CHANGES

The Raiders fired Pete Carroll after a 3-14 debut season and hired Klint Kubiak, fresh off calling plays for Seattle's Super Bowl-winning offense, as head coach. Owner Mark Davis built the entire offseason around the eventual arrival of first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza, signing bridge quarterback Kirk Cousins, paying center Tyler Linderbaum the richest contract for a center in NFL history, and adding linebackers Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean plus edge rusher Kwity Paye on defense.

QUATERBACKS

Kirk Cousins is very likely to start the season ahead of Mendoza and I think that’s the right decision at this point. They’re probably not in a position to challenge for playoffs yet, so let Mendoza develop without much pressure early on and then assimilate him into the offense as the season goes on. Cousins is well past his prime but has great experience and he will be a good mentor for Mendoza. Mendoza won the Heisman trophy last year in Indiana’s undefeated season and National Title. His current passing yards line for this season is 2350.5 which is quite tempting to take the under… I think Cousins will start more than half the games this season.

RUNNING BACKS

I’m excited about Ashton Jeanty’s production this season with an improved offensive line and very likely improved QB play. Jeanty was fine last season, recording 975 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns, but this offense was seriously bad. He should get much bigger holes this season and I expect him to go over 1000 yards for the year. You can get that at plus odds on FanDuel still. There is very little depth behind Jeanty and he should be a three-down back this season. Mendoza has some rushing ability but Kirk Cousins certainly does not. In games where Cousins starts you can expect some serious volume for Jeanty and that will be good for his fantasy and betting prospects!

RECEIVERS

It’s all about Brock Bowers here. The third-year tight end is coming off an injury-interruped 2025 season where he ended up with 680 yards and 7 touchdowns. He dealt with a knee injury most of the year but showed his ceiling with a 12 reception, 127 yard, 3 touchdown performance against Jacksonville in early November. Bowers is back to full health and will be the most important piece of this passing game. His receiving yards line for the season is 900.5, I struggle to see how he won’t go over that unless he gets injured again. Whether its Cousins or Mendoza throwing to him, I like it either way.

DEFENCE

Defense

PREDICTIONS

14-3

Prediction