For a significant number of players on the Las Vegas Raiders' roster, Thursday night's game against the San Francisco 49ers will be their last in the Silver and Black. The three-game preseason schedule concludes at Allegiant Stadium after 60 minutes of play, and roster cutdowns are looming soon after.
But this contest also represents an opportunity for several players to establish roster spots or even their place in the pecking order for the 2026 NFL season. It'll be a tight battle at several positions, but that is just how Klint Kubiak and John Spytek like it. The pressure of tough decisions is a good thing.
With so much to look for and so many players under a microscope, it can be hard to sift through exactly what to look for. So, we've narrowed it down to the five biggest things that Raider Nation should keep its eyes peeled for during the final game of the exhibition slate against the 49ers.
5 biggest Raiders storylines to watch in preseason finale vs. 49ers
Who plays and who sits?
Players that aren't in uniform, injury notwithstanding, are definitely roster locks, and there's a very good chance that they have been penciled in as a starter for Week 1. Conversely, if someone is playing, it means they have more to prove or a competition to win, and that could drag on.
What does the wide receiver rotation look like?
Kubiak called out the wide receiver group after last week's game, so it'll be interesting to see not just how they respond, but if the rotation reflects who he may have been upset with, or who he wants to see more from. Last week, only Tre Tucker sat. Did anyone else establish themselves in the interim?
Does Fernando Mendoza get any reps with the 1s?
Mendoza has gotten a handful of reps with the first-team offense during camp, but fans haven't seen him with the 1s during the preseason. If this truly is a quarterback competition, it needs to be a fair one, and the rookie should get some reps with the top vet group. If he doesn't, he's certainly QB2.
Which fringe/rosterable players are getting extended run?
If you're wondering why a rosterable or fringe player is still in the game late in the fourth quarter, one of two things is happening: The team is looking for a reason to keep them, but they haven't shown it yet, or the team is trying to showcase them as a potential trade target. Watch out for this.
Who makes a push at key position battles?
By our estimation, there are roughly eight to 10 serious competitions taking place on this roster, and Thursday's game should go a long way in determining the winner. This could have real ramifications for the season, so make sure to note who is playing with what group and how they perform.
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