The Raiders could be a fun watch next season on offense as the pairing of the offensive minded new head coach Klint Kubiak along with the reigning National Champion and Heisman Trophy winning #1 overall pick QB Fernando Mendoza could be lethal. However, the players on offense surrounding those two next season will also loom quite large for Las Vegas. I have already conducted an analysis of the team’s offensive personnel heading into next season and here I will go into detail assessing the skill position talent of the team heading into next year.
Starting with the running backs of the team the Raiders are led by 2025 1st rounder Ashton Jeanty who was viewed as a generational running back prospect entering the NFL being drafted sixth overall which is rare for a running back to be taken that high. Jeanty had a respectable rookie season as Pro Football Focus graded him (35/59) among qualified running backs. Although given all the hype surrounding him it was a relatively disappointing season, it was still solid for a rookie, let us also not forget that the Raiders had amongst the poorest offensive circumstances in the NFL this past season as well which contributed to his lack of production. The Raiders will likely have much better offensive circumstances during this upcoming season and Jeanty will be expected to turn into a star. The Raiders however currently lack any depth behind Jeanty at running back as the team does not have a single sure fire NFL caliber player on the depth chart behind Jeanty as of now. As 2026 4th rounder Mike Washington Jr is currently listed as the #2 back as of now.
At tight end the Raiders are led by 2024 1st rounder Brock Bowers who has emerged as one of the premier tight ends in the NFL during years 1 and 2 in the league. Bowers graded as a top three overall tight end in the NFL in year 1 playing all 17 games and graded as a top seven overall tight end in year 2 playing in 12 games. Bowers has done this despite the Raiders having poor offensive circumstances in totality during his first two years in the NFL. Perhaps now that the Raiders will have likely much better offensive circumstances going forward, perhaps he could emerge as the best overall tight end in the NFL especially now that 49ers’ tight end George Kittle is aging and dealing with injuries.
2023 2nd rounder Michael Mayer provides potentially some solid depth behind Bowers at tight end for the Raiders. Mayer was drafted very highly and has played well at times thus far in the NFL although underwhelming for the most part. Mayer has not had enough of a chance to come into his own taking reserve snaps behind Bowers. While the Raiders have also had poor offensive circumstances in Mayer’s time in the NFL thus far as well.
At wide receiver the Raiders have question marks heading into next season and the unit is one of the weakest in the NFL as of now. The number one listed wide out on the depth chart as of now is 2023 3rd rounder Tre Tucker who is one of the weakest WR1’s in the NFL currently. Tucker has played 16 or 17 games in all three seasons he has played thus far in the NFL and consistently grades in the below average to well below average range in terms of an overall offense grade among players at his position. Tucker had a decent rookie season but failed to build off if it the next two years. Tucker has consistently had amongst the league’s worst QB play and offensive circumstances in totality which has likely contributed to his subpar production. Perhaps now that Tucker is placed in more ideal circumstances, he can build off his solid rookie season and live up to his relatively high draft selection.
Newly acquired former Viking Jalen Nailor is second on the wide out depth chart for now but his reputation in the NFL has become perhaps a bit overrated. Nailor after a very strong first season in the NFL where Pro Football Focus graded him as the 2nd best overall wide out in the NFL albeit catching just 9 balls, earned the reputation of being an elite reserve wide out. However, Nailor in extended snaps since has consistently been below average to poor and might fall down the Vegas depth chart as a result.
2025 2nd rounder Jack Bech is third on the wide receiver depth chart and will be expected to take a big leap heading into year 2 in the NFL. Bech, as such a high draft pick, had a respectable first year in the NFL despite being a rookie and the Raiders’ having amongst the league’s worst offensive circumstances. Bech is a prime candidate to break out in year 2 in the NFL and potentially be a true #1 or #2 wide out for Las Vegas. Vegas lacks depth from a wide receiver standpoint as well as they have no notable WR4’s, 5s. or 6+s. As of now the Vegas wide out core is perhaps the worst in the NFL and Klint Kubiak will need the likes of Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, and/or Jack Bech to really come into their own in order for the unit to thrive.
Overall, from a skill position standpoint the Raiders are led by potential stars if not established stars in Brock Bowers at tight end and Ashton Jeanty at running back. Both players were drafted very highly for a tight end and running back, Bowers has established himself as one of the premier tight ends in the sports, while Jeanty is coming off a respectable rookie season and could now live up to his superstar potential. But the Raiders skill position grouping outside of those two players is poor as of now and Las Vegas will need players in particular in the wide receiver core to step up in order to have a skill position grouping that is capable of carrying an elite caliber offense.
