Las Vegas Raiders 2026 Training Camp Preview: The Fernando Mendoza Era
With several teams kicking off their organized team activities this week, the NFL offseason is in full swing.
Teams have OTAs sprinkled in over the next three weeks before a month-long break until training camp begins in mid-to-end July.
We'll be reviewing the major offseason changes for all 32 teams in addition to previewing what to expect from each team as they head into training camp. Below is our 2026 training camp preview for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Key Offseason Dates
Voluntary OTAs: May 28-29, June 1-4
Mandatory minicamp: June 9-11
Training camp: mid-July
NFL Hall of Fame game: Aug. 6
Key Additions:
Kirk Cousins, QB
Jalen Nailor, WR
Dareke Young, WR
Connor Heyward, TE
Spencer Burford, OT
Tyler Linderbaum, C
Benito Jones, DT
Kwity Paye, DE
Quay Walker, LB
Nakobe Dean, LB
Segun Olubi, LB
Re-Signed:
Ian Thomas, TE
Malcolm Koonce, DE
Eric Stokes, CB
2026 NFL Draft Class:
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Round 1
Treydan Stukes, S, Round 2
Keyron Crawford, DE, Round 3
Trey Zuhn III, C, Round 3
Jermod McCoy, CB, Round 4
Mike Washington Jr., RB, Round 4
Dalton Johnson, S, Round 5
Hezekiah Masses, CB, Round 5
Malik Benson, WR, Round 6
Brandon Cleveland, DT, Round 7
Key Losses:
Kenny Pickett, QB
Stone Forsythe, OT
Jon Rhattigan, LB
Darnay Holmes, CB
Lonnie Johnson, S
Analysis:
The Raiders were the worst team in the NFL a season ago, and not much has changed in the months since the season ended.
Yes, they drafted Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall back in April, but he's expected to spend most, if not all of his rookie season on the bench behind Kirk Cousins. If Mendoza does play a decent amount next season, one of two things happened: Cousins was so bad that throwing Mendoza into the fire early was the better alternative, or Cousins got injured.
Cousins is a four-time Pro Bowler, but he's got very little talent to work with in Vegas. Running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers are his main (and only) weapons. His wide receiver corps is a who's who of young and inexperienced pass-catchers, headlined by Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, and Jailen Nailor.
Don't expect much out of this offense.
The defense isn't much better, but there's at least some talent to work with there including edge-rushers Maxx Crosby and Kwity Paye, linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, and second-round safety Treydan Stukes, third-round edge-rusher Keyron Crawford, and fourth-round CB Jermod McCoy.
Vegas won just three games last season, and a small improvement to four or five wins is likely the best-case scenario for the Raiders in 2026.
2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 5:24 PM.