It's easy to keep tunnel vision during the offseason and focus just on your team, but as opening weekend of the 2026 NFL season approaches, Las Vegas Raiders fans are curious how their roster actually stacks up compared to the rest of the league, especially their rival teams in the AFC West.
Last season, this Silver and Black squad couldn't hold a candle to those across the division. But John Spytek and Klint Kubiak made some strong moves in free agency and the draft to even the count. It should be much more competitive this year for Las Vegas than it has been in past campaigns.
In that vein, because we recently ranked the Raiders' position groups from most to the least secure ahead of Week 1, let's also determine how each of Las Vegas' units compare to those of the rest of the AFC West right now. Here are our divisional power rankings for each position group.
How Raiders fare in AFC West position group power rankings before 2026
Quarterback: 1) Chiefs 2) Broncos 3) Chargers 4) Raiders
Patrick Mahomes is unfortunately still the king until proven otherwise. Honestly, after the year that Bo Nix had and Justin Herbert's continual lack of playoff success, I'll slot Nix above Herbert. Herbert may shine under Mike McDaniel, though. For the Raiders, an aging Kirk Cousins and a rookie Fernando Mendoza are probably both the worst, at least to start with for the latter. But Mendoza can ascend.
Running back: 1) Raiders 2) Broncos 3) Chiefs 4) Chargers
Call me crazy, but the 1-2 punch of Ashton Jeanty and Mike Washington Jr. is tough to beat, even around the league. Kenneth Walker III is a nice piece for the Chiefs, but it's unproven behind him, so I think a trio of JK Dobbins, Jonah Coleman and RJ Harvey in Denver is stronger. Omarion Hampton didn't impress me last year, and they have absolutely nobody who can take the pressure off him.
Wide receiver: 1) Broncos 2) Chargers 3) Chiefs 4) Raiders
The addition of Jaylen Waddle to a room that already had Courtland Sutton and an emerging Pat Bryant, with some other sollid pieces as well, is the best in the AFC West. The Chargers have a nice duo in Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston, plus some promising pieces behind them. The Chiefs are in the same boat as the Raiders, but at least they have Rashee Rice.
Tight end: 1) Raiders 2) Chargers 3) Chiefs 4) Broncos
Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer are head and shoulders above the rest of the units here. Oronde Gadsen II and David Njoku is a solid pair in Los Angeles, but not transformational. Travis Kelce still finds a way, and Noah Gray isn't the worst backup in the world. I've never been a fan of Evan Engram, and the Broncos have zilch to rotate in alongside him.
Offensive line: 1) Broncos 2) Chiefs 3) Raiders 4) Chargers
Denver has a band of monsters up front, and Kansas City does as well. The Chargers have a great duo of tackles and a strong center, but they just can't stay healthy. The Raiders don't have as much high-end talent up front as Los Angeles, but they have fewer holes and better health, at least to start the season, which matters a lot. And the depth is probably stronger in Las Vegas.
Defensive end: 1) Broncos 2) Chargers 3) Raiders 4) Chiefs
Nik Bonitto is a great talent, and Jonah Elliss is a rotational piece who would probably start most places in the league. Khalil Mack is still getting it done for the Chargers, and Tuli Tuipulotu is an underrated star. The Chiefs don't have much alongside George Karlaftis, but R Mason Thomas is a promising player. Maxx Crosby carries the load for the Raiders, and the depth here is very good.
Defensive tackle: 1) Broncos 2) Chiefs 3) Chargers 4) Raiders
Even with the loss of John Franklin-Myers, the Broncos have a strong interior highlighted by Zach Allen, D.J. Jones and Malcolm Roach. Honestly, there's not much difference in the last three, but the Chiefs still have Chris Jones, and Khyiris Tonga was a solid addition. The Chargers' duo of Teair Tart and Jamaree Caldwell probably beat out the Raiders' young group, even if Las Vegas has promise.
Linebacker: 1) Chiefs 2) Chargers 3) Raiders 4) Broncos
If we're just talking about starters, the Raiders have an argument to be No. 1. But between the injury histories of Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, and a lack of depth, Las Vegas plummets down this list a bit. Drue Tranquill and Nick Bolton are a great duo, as are Daiyan Henley and Troy Dye, plus, those teams have a bit more behind them. Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad in Denver do not move me.
Cornerback: 1) Broncos 2) Chargers 3) Raiders 4) Chiefs
Can't argue with Patrick Surtain II, Ja'Quan McMillian and Riley Moss, as well as Jahdae Barron, being at the top. It was a hard choice here between the Chargers and Raiders, but LA's starters were more solid last year, even if Las Vegas' group has more upside. The Chiefs did an admirable job recouping the losses of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, but a lot remains to be seen with this group.
Safety: 1) Chargers 2) Broncos 3) Chiefs 4) Raiders
Derwin James weighs a lot in these rankings; he and Elijah Molden, plus a few other good pieces, are clearly the best in the division. The Broncos have a solid duo on the back end in Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones, and the Chiefs' pair of Alohi Gillman and Chamarri Conner is pretty intriguing as well. Again, the Raiders have great pieces in this room, but they have to prove more, which takes time.
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