The Las Vegas Raiders are about to suit up for the first time in the 2026 NFL season, as they are beginning the campaign against the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium in Week 1. Luckily for Klint Kubiak's young Raiders team, the Dolphins are in rebuilding mode themselves.
It will also be the first true test for the new-look offensive line headed by coach Rick Dennison, who hopes to lift a room that struggled more than any other in the league in 2025. There is potential in the young group to take it to the next level, especially with the addition of Tyler Linderbaum.
A player who had issues last season was right tackle DJ Glaze, who gave up 10 sacks after giving up only three in 2024. That regression was not expected after a solid rookie year. Dennsion believes in the young tackle, though, because of his length and play strength, and trusts he'll get back to form.
Fans aren't quite convinced, though, and mixed reports from the summer program have them wanting to see it in action. Week 1 presents a perfect challenge for Glaze to flip the narrative: Miami defensive end Chop Robinson, who the Raiders' right tackle struggled against as a rookie and even in college.
Raiders' DJ Glaze can quiet doubters by finally having good showing against Dolphins' Chop Robinson
Robinson was in the same draft class as Glaze, and the two's careers have had similar arcs through two years. According to PFF, Robinson had 56 pressures and 6.0 sacks during his rookie year. Last season, those numbers fell to 19 pressures and 4.0 sacks, as he dealt with injuries and a lesser role.
The former first-round pick will be looking to bounce back, and he will be licking his chops getting to face Glaze. The two are familiar with each other from their battles in the Big Ten, with Robinson playing collegiately at Penn State and Glaze at Maryland.
In the one-on-one battle, it has been one-sided, with Robinson being the one dominating. What Robinson does best is exploit Glaze’s weakness, which is dealing with a speed-oriented pass rusher. Robinson is just that.
According to PFF, in their last two matchups in college and the pros, Robinson has 11 pressures and two sacks against Glaze. Robinson’s speed around the edge gives Glaze constant fits, and with Glaze's slow feet, it becomes a brutal matchup for the young right tackle.
The Raiders coaching staff should be making sure that Glaze has plenty of help from chip blocks by tight ends and running backs. While Glaze appears to have improved his foot speed in the preseason, he hasn’t faced starters yet, so it's difficult to say that he's quieted the noise.
Hopefully, Glaze carries his preseason form into the regular season, holds off Chop Robinson, and gives Kirk Cousins room to throw the ball. If he does, then it'll go a long way in Glaze reinstilling the faith that Raider Nation once had in him.
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