RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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HENDERSON, NEVADA - JULY 29: DJ Glaze #71, Jackson Powers-Johnson #58, and Tyler Linderbaum #65 of the Las Vegas Raiders run through a drill during the first practice of the team's training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Health Performance Center on July 29, 2026 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Thursday, August 13th, the Las Vegas Raiders open the 2026 NFL preseason at home against the Arizona Cardinals. Raider Nation’s first look at the new Raiders, the coaching staff and players alike.
Heading into the first preseason game lets take a look at some position groups and key players to watch in the game. There are many on offense, as it was an underperforming unit last season with a lot of new pieces.
Fernando Mendoza
Vincent Bonsignore, Host of The Morning Tailgate on Raider Nation Radio and senior NFL Columnist for the California Post, tweeted that the Raiders officially have a quarterback competition. Let’s be honest: no matter what happens, the future for the Raiders is Mendoza. If Bonsignore is correct and there is indeed a quarterback battle, then for such a philosophical pivot, Mendoza must be ahead of schedule.
There's actually a real QB battle in @Raiders camp. I still believe Kirk gets the opener, but it's not etched in stone. Fernando has a real chance to win the job. https://t.co/yiwr3JgaDa
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) August 12, 2026
When Mendoza takes the field, his footwork will be on full display, as will his ability to run the offense from under center. With a firsthand view of his acclimation to NFL game speed, his quick processing and decision-making ability. Along with his ability to feel and evade the rush, will he overtake Cousins?
Offensive line
Rick Dennison, the Raiders’ new offensive line coach, is one of the best to ever do it. He has put together multiple Super Bowl-winning offensive lines. Dennison’s familiarity with head coach Klint Kubiak goes all the way back to when he coached for his dad, Gary Kubiak.
Delmar Glaze, has had a good camp thus far and appears to be holding his own at the right tackle position. Last year was not the best for Glaze; under Brennan Carroll, he struggled with speed rushers. Often getting blown past out of his stance and chasing defenders rather than blocking them. Coaching makes a difference and if Glaze has a bounce-back year then things are looking up.
Charles Grant , has got to be prepared to go this season. One can hope for the best with Kolton Miller’s health but the truth is the injuries are piling up. Grant will exit training camp the backup left tackle and swing tackle provided he has good preseason showings. A lot is being thrown at him as well.
Spencer Burford , is slated to start at left guard according to the first unofficial depth chart. He has played under Kubiak in the past with the San Francisco 49ers and knows the system. He has a lot to prove as there are a ton of hungry guards on the Raiders looking to make their mark.
Running backs
Ashton Jeanty , had a hard time finding holes in his rookie campaign. In the offseason, he made a choice to alter his diet and change his physical composition. His goal was to improve his conditioning to accommodate the role he has set for him. Running backs with great cutting ability do well in Kubiak’s system and he will get fed the rock.
Mike Washington Jr , has great tape at Arkansas University with a nearly identical body type to Darren McFadden. Washington’s one-cut-and-run ability with tremendous burst and great speed should do well in this offense. He also brings a lot more size to the table and some attitude to boot.
We don’t want to get too excited just yet, but the silver and black have the beginnings of a good one-two punch as there is in the league. Should the offensive line be able to do its part, the running backs will certainly do theirs.
Wide Receivers
Tre Tucker , has shown promise and growth despite continuously being thrust into adverse situations. Surviving the coaching regimens of Josh McDaniels, Antonio Pierce and Pete Carroll is no small task. As if that wasn’t enough, he has had to rely on Geno Smith, Aidan O’Connell, Gardner Minshew and Jimmy Garoppolo to throw him the football. This offense should set him loose and with Kirk Cousins, he will have a much more capable quarterback throwing him the ball.
Malik Benson , making noise in training camp is one thing; making the transition to Sundays is another altogether. Benson will get some run with the twos and an opportunity to continue to add to his resume. Getting paired with Mendoza will give us a great look at both. Proving himself against different competition will continue to free up playing time.
Jalen Nailor , huge fan of his game once I threw on the tape and started watching. He got lost in Minnesota behind their 1 and 2 options, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. With the Raiders, he has as good a chance as any to be the guy here.
Jack Bech , finished last season as a bit of an enigma. Averaging 11.2 yards per catch but was only targeted 29 times. Catching a total of 20 passes for 224 yards and dropped only one. He, too, has a lot to prove and the receiving room is crowded. Can he establish himself? We shall see.
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