The Las Vegas Raiders ramp up their offseason program with voluntary workouts this week, and the roster looks significantly different from when they wrapped up last season with a 3-14 record.
Klint Kubiak took over as head coach and will be installing new offensive and defensive systems for the group with much of that work going on right now.
Over the next two days, the Las Vegas Review-Journal will look at where the roster currently stands after a busy free-agency period and a draft process that brought in 10 selections and a large crop of undrafted signings.
The offense is up first:
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza, Aidan O’Connell, Jacob Clark
The Raiders added Cousins as a mentor for Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick and presumed franchise quarterback moving forward. The only possible questions are when does Mendoza take over as the starter and is there any possibility they will choose to only keep two quarterbacks on the active roster.
Running backs
Ashton Jeanty, Mike Washington Jr., Dylan Laube, Chris Collier, Roman Hemby, Connor Heyward (fullback)
Kubiak spoke of his desire to find a running mate for Jeanty, and the Raiders may have done so by selecting a home run threat in Washington in the draft. Collier and Laube are more special teams options, but Hemby brings some intrigue and chemistry with Mendoza from their time at Indiana. Kubiak’s offense utilizes a fullback, so Heyward was brought in with none on the roster last year.
Wide receivers
Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, Jalen Nailor, Dont’e Thornton Jr., Malik Benson, Dareke Young, Phillip Dorsett, Shedrick Jackson, Chase Roberts, Corey Rucker, E.J. Williams Jr., Jonathan Brady
This group has a great deal of speed, but no true alpha. That could work for Kubiak, who is skilled at figuring out ways to best utilize the assets at his disposal. They should at least be able to stretch the field, especially with Thornton and Benson. Brady played with Mendoza at both Cal and Indiana. Roberts has solid contested catch skills that could help him make the roster and fill a specific role.
Tight ends
Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas, Carter Runyon, Albert Okwuegbunam Jr., Patrick Gurd
Probably the most complete group on the team. Bowers is a superstar that figures to take a huge step up in production should he stay healthy this season after playing through a knee injury much of last year. Mayer would have a larger pass-catching role on just about every other team in the league, but has turned himself into a pretty good blocker. Thomas is a veteran who had a great offseason last year and is more than capable if called upon, but Runyon also has some talent and could push for an opportunity.
Tackles
Kolton Miller, DJ Glaze, Charles Grant, Dalton Wagner, Kamar Missouri, Isaiah Jatta, Niklas Henning
A healthy Miller would go a long way in making this group look stronger and improving the offensive line as a whole. He would anchor the left tackle spot. Glaze has started for much of his first two seasons and should be in a system that better takes advantage of his abilities, so he could win the right tackle job again. Grant had a year to learn and get bigger and stronger, positioning him as one of the more intriguing possibilities to make a big jump. The depth spots are up for grabs.
Interior line
Tyler Linderbaum, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Caleb Rogers, Spencer Burford, Trey Zuhn III, Jordan Meredith, Atonio Mafi, Will Putnam, Justin Pickett
Linderbaum was the No. 1 priority in free agency and will undoubtedly make the group better through not only his play, but also leadership and communication as the center. There should be some great competition for playing time at guard. Powers-Johnson is a leading candidate, but nothing is guaranteed. Rogers made big strides throughout his rookie season. Burford started nine games for the 49ers last season. Zuhn is a draft pick who has drawn rave reviews in the building, and Meredith is once again in a system that should be a better fit for him than last year.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.