The Las Vegas Raiders' need for a true No. 1 wide receiver has been a topic dating all the way back to last offseason. Fans want a complement to the centerpiece, tight end Brock Bowers, who can maximize the offense's potential.
This season, the team's top receiver is Tre Tucker, who has only 233 yards and one touchdown in 2026, and the majority of that production came in one game. But the team leader in touchdowns is actually former undrafted Seattle Seahawks receiver Cody White.
White was a practice squad player who was a late add in Las Vegas after cutdown day. With Dont'e Thornton Jr.'s injury, he was elevated for the first three games of the season. White responded by getting the game ball in Week 1 and then adding three touchdowns the following two weeks.
When Jalen Nailor left this past Sunday's game with a concussion, White was the next receiver in the pecking order, and he played his most snaps of the season. He showed that he could be an every-down receiver in the offense with his route-running ability, not just a mere red zone threat.
Cody White's route-running could make him the X receiver the Raiders need
While the wide receiver position has become more positionless and interchangeable in the modern era, people still clamor for a big-bodied "X," and understandably so. White certainly fits the mold at 6-foot-4 and 227 pounds.
White has also shown that when the ball is in the air, he will win the 50-50 matchup and come down with contested catches. Our first glimpse was against the Chargers when White snagged a jump ball from Kirk Cousins for a touchdown to take the lead.
Fans saw it again against the Kansas City Chiefs. White fought for the ball in the air, then came back inside on the go route to make an off-balance catch.
However, with more snaps and therefore chances to run a bigger route tree, White showed off his skills as a route runner. On this play against Chiefs defender Mansoor Delane, White stems inside after the snap. He sells the go route well, getting Delane to commit.
He then snaps back outside quickly, changes direction, and catches a pass for nine yards and a first down.
Cody White at the top vs Mansoor Delane.
— Marcus Johnson (@TheMarcJohnNFL) October 7, 2026
Stems inside and sells the go then cuts outside. Great route. pic.twitter.com/zKZE6kTcRA
While this ball wasn’t thrown his way, he also showed he can win deep against press coverage. On the last drive of the game, White is lined up to Cousins' right. He runs a post route, wins off the line, and is open downfield.
Cousins doesn't look his way, but this could have been a huge play at the end of the game.
White’s talent is there, and he could become a player who makes a surprise impact on the roster going forward. He should get more snaps this week, and it will be interesting to see what he can do with the opportunity. Hopefully, White continues to show that he's not just a flash in the pan.
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