Position-by-position takeaways from Raiders’ first unofficial depth chart

In just a few short days, the Las Vegas Raiders will kick off the Klint Kubiak era with a preseason bout against the Arizona Cardinals. After a long offseason and an eventful training camp, Raider Nation is chomping at the bit to see the Silver and Black with all of its new and improved pieces.

With that contest just on the horizon, the Raiders released their first unofficial depth chart of the preseason. The key word here is "unofficial," as Las Vegas still has plenty to learn in these three exhibition games, and they'll be tweaking the pecking order and the roster at large until Week 1.

But this depth chart still means something. It revealed how the team feels about some players and reinforced the fact that training camp hype doesn't always mean progress. So, let's go through, position by position, and make some observations about how things stack up at this juncture.

Observations from Las Vegas Raiders' first unofficial depth chart

Quarterback

Kirk Cousins | Fernando Mendoza | Aidan O'Connell | Jacob Clark

Fans remember when this used to say "Gardner Minshew OR Aidan O'Connell." Now, things are pretty cut-and-dry, as the Raiders have officially named Cousins the starter, at least for now. This wasn't unexpected, but it certainly isn't final, either. At least Mendoza is the No. 2, ahead of O'Connell.

Running Back

Ashton Jeanty | Mike Washington Jr. | Dylan Laube | Roman Hemby/Dare Ogunbowale

Washington Jr. leapfrogging Laube in the running back room was expected, but it seems like, for now, Laube is still keeping UDFA Hemby and recent signing Ogunbowale at arm's length for the No. 3 spot in the pecking order. It will be interesting to see if the Raiders keep three or four running backs.

Fullback

Connor Heyward | Patrick Gurd

No surprises here. Heyward will start, but Gurd will continue to push him and hopefully stick around on the practice squad if he comes up short.

Wide Receiver

This is interesting. The top six receivers are who Raider Nation expected, but with all the buzz about Benson in camp, it is shocking to see that he's still slotted in behind Bech. Now, Las Vegas will probably be in 12 personnel a lot with just two wideouts, so only Nailor and Tucker will get "starts."

But this begs the question of who rotates in first between Benson and Bech. Jackson could also push Thornton Jr. for a second-team spot, and both he and Thompkins could be a threat to Young, whose contributions are expected to be mainly on special teams. Still a lot to sort out here.

It is also a bit shocking to see Roberts slotted in as the fourth-string guy, but reports have been fairly quiet about him during camp.

Tight End

Brock Bowers | Michael Mayer | Ian Thomas/Carter Runyon | Albert Okwuegbunam/Chris Myarick

Although not listed as a starter, Mayer is likely to trot out there on the first snap of the Raiders' 2026 NFL season in a multi-tight-end set. He is a starting-level player in this league, even if he plays second fiddle to Bowers, an all-world talent.

It is interesting and promising that Runyon is listed as the third-stringer along with Thomas. Runyon has missed almost all of training camp with an injury, but when healthy, he adds a nice dimension to this room with his pass-catching and versatility. Hopefully, he returns soon and competes.

Offensive Tackle

Miller and Glaze starting isn't unexpected at all, and Grant being the primary backup at either spot is likely. But it is fascinating that the Raiders listed Zuhn III as Glaze's first reserve, considering they announced him on draft night as a guard. He has gotten tons of work at right tackle in camp, though.

It seems like Jatta has the edge in the UDFA battle over Missouri. It will be notable how those two and Wagner play during the preseason, as all three of them can't make the practice squad. So, they'll be auditioning for spots on other 53-man rosters and for a chance to stick in Las Vegas.

Guard

LG: Spencer Burford | Caleb Rogers | Justin Pickett
RG: Jackson Powers-Johnson | Atonio Mafi | Niklas Henning

Things continue to be a bit wonky on the offensive line. Burford and Powers-Johnson being listed as the starters is no shock, but Rogers being the primary backup at left guard is. He has been rotating with Powers-Johnson as the starter at right guard during camp.

Rogers, in all likelihood, is the primary backup at either guard spot. But Zuhn III would be considered before Mafi, as would Jordan Meredith. Henning was also listed as a tackle upon his arrival in Las Vegas, so it is interesting that they have him as a guard on the depth chart now.

Center

Tyler Linderbaum | Jordan Meredith | Will Putnam

As expected. Meredith is no lock to make the roster, though, as both Zuhn III and Powers-Johnson can play center as well. Zuhn III actually figures to be the primary backup at center if Linderbaum goes down, that is, if Meredith is cut, as many think he will be.

Defensive End

Nothing really stands out as particularly surprising here. It is interesting, though, that Las Vegas made a distinction between defensive end and edge. Koonce will be the first player to rotate in, and at camp, he was still subbing in for Paye, the "edge." So, maybe these delineations don't mean much.

Harvey has the advantage over Johnson right now, but due to special teams prowess, I doubt it stays that way. Slone being behind Jackson is also interesting. It will be a fierce battle to stick in the bottom of this room, as the top four guys are locked in, and nobody knows how many the Raiders will carry.

Defensive Tackle

Tonka Hemingway is a full-on starter alongside Butler. That is objectively awesome. Laulu and Booker IV being the next men up makes sense, and it seems like Pegues and Jones have the edge over seventh-round rookie Cleveland. Las Vegas could keep five or six players here; it is unknown.

Cleveland may even have some stiff competition from Smith III and Ma'ae for a spot on the practice squad, if nothing dramatically changes in the preseason. Pegues versus Jones is also a competition to watch, as both are candidates to play nose in base formations.

Linebacker

It will be fun to watch the depth in this room shake out, as the top four are fairly set in stone. Like most battles, this will come down to special teams, and Olubi has a distinct advantage in that department. Sorey Jr. is a young player who is shockingly low on the depth chart but a nice P-squad candidate.

Cornerback

Porter gets the nod over Masses as the starter opposite Stokes. This is obviously a tightly-contested battle to watch, but the incumbent holds firm for now. Richardson is somehow slotted ahead of McCoy behind Stokes, even tho Porter and Masses would start right now if Stokes went down.

Vance Jr. can make the roster as a backup nickel if he continues his strong camp play into the preseason. If he lands on the practice squad, that'd make things more difficult for Offord and Perkins. If Vance Jr. is on the 53-man team, then Offord and Perkins compete for a practice squad spot.

Safety

SS: Jeremy Chinn | Dalton Johnson | Devin Lafayette
FS: Isaiah Pola-Mao | Treydan Stukes | Tristin McCollum

Pola-Mao starting over Stukes isn't ideal, but this competition is far from over. The Raiders look a bit thin at the strong safety spot, but perhaps Day 3 rookie Dalton Johnson has more juice than fans think, considering he hasn't been reported on at all during training camp.

Specialists

K: Matt Gay | Kansei Matsuzawa
P: A.J. Cole
LS: Alex Ward | Tyler Duzansky
KR: Tre Tucker | Dylan Laube
PR: Tre Tucker | Jermod McCoy

Gay continues to hold the advantage over Matsuzawa, although the preseason will weigh heavily on this battle. Ward also has the edge over Duzansky, even though this, too, will be sorted out primarily through play during the preseason.

Tucker being both the No. 1 wide receiver and the primary returner is pretty interesting, and perhaps a bit careless with how thin the pass-catching corps is. Laube will be out there with Tucker on the kick return team, it seems, and McCoy has beat out Benson for the backup punt returner role.

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