Positivity certainly hasn't been hard to come by for the Las Vegas Raiders during training camp, as Klint Kubiak's team looks massively improved. This has been largely due to an influx of young talent that has been added to the mix, giving fans even more hope for the future in Las Vegas.
But with those breakout performances comes uncertainty for the returning player who held that spot during the 2025 season. The Raiders released their first unofficial depth chart on Monday, and it is obvious that several players have little margin for error as the preseason looms.
So, with that in mind, let's take a look at the five players who are under the most pressure as the Silver and Black take the field for the first time ahead of the 2026 NFL season against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday, August 13, at Allegiant Stadium.
5 Raiders (and 3 honorable mentions) under the most pressure vs. Cardinals
DJ Glaze, RT
Glaze struggled immensely last season at right tackle, and reports about him from camp have been mixed. To prove to the staff and fanbase that he's back to where he was as a rookie, Glaze will need to string together some strong outings in preseason. Otherwise, they'll need to reshuffle things up front.
Jack Bech, WR
Bech hasn't necessarily played poorly during training camp, but the buzz about fellow wideout Malik Benson has been overwhelming. To fend off the rookie sixth-rounder and establish himself as the No. 3 wide receiver in the pecking order, Bech needs to put a lot on display this preseason.
Kirk Cousins, QB
Cousins is under a world of pressure in the preseason. With Fernando Mendoza waiting in the wings, all it will take is a poor performance, and the fanbase and media will start calling for the Raiders to go to the bullpen. The only way for Cousins to fend that off is by playing nearly perfectly. That's pressure.
Jordan Meredith, IOL
Meredith was a starter and key backup during the last two seasons, but his roster spot is far from secure at this point. If Las Vegas keeps nine linemen, then he should be in, but the Raiders' versatility may allow them to just keep eight. Meredith needs a strong preseason to change that reality.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, G
Powers-Johnson is the starter at right guard, but that can change in an instant. Caleb Rogers is hot on his tail, and the young Oregon product has never stood on stable ground in this organization. A strong preseason could finally quiet all the noise.
Honorable Mention: Dont'e Thornton Jr., WR
Thornton Jr., if he plays, is in the same boat as Bech.
Honorable Mention: Isaiah Pola-Mao, SAF
Rookie Treydan Stukes is starting to figure it out, which means that Pola-Mao's role could diminish at any moment.
Honorable Mention: Matt Gay and Kansei Matsuzawa, K
In the most results-based competition there is, these two need to bring it in the preseason, or they could both be gone.
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