3 Raiders That Need to Step Up Against Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) catches a touchdown pass during the second half against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025.Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

3 Raiders That Need to Step Up Against Chiefs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Tyler Bischoff | Last updated Oct 1, 2026 10:00 AM ET

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The best player on the team returned in Week 3. Brock Bowers made his season debut and dominated the Saints, catching 10 passes for 116 yards.

Bowers was a dominant force that Kirk Cousins exploited. Bowers had 14 targets in Week 3. No other Raider had more than four. Bowers is not just one of the best tight ends in the NFL, he is one of the best receivers, regardless of position.

But everyone else knows that too. While the Saints couldn’t stop Bowers, the Chiefs will pose a tougher test.

“Brock is a really good player,” head coach Klint Kubiak said. “He had a really good game. Proud of him, but he has the full attention of the Chiefs. We need everybody to contribute.”

Ashton Jeanty

Ashton Jeanty can make life easier for Bowers and the passing game. The Raiders’ rushing attack has been dismal this season, as Jeanty has needed 63 carries to reach 206 yards.

Jeanty’s 3.3 yards per carry is worse than his 3.7 mark in his inefficient rookie season.

The Raiders need Jeanty to get rolling to have a functioning offense, but he can take some attention away from defenses. The more opponents worry about the running game, the less they can focus on Bowers.

Tre Tucker

Las Vegas has a deep threat in Tre Tucker. He lit up the Chargers for 119 yards on just five catches in Week 2.

Tucker will probably have inconsistent stat lines throughout the season. But if teams put too many eyes on Bowers running short and intermediate routes, Tucker will need to win matchups down the field.

Kirk Cousins might not always hit Tucker on deep routes, but the threat can help out Bowers.

Michael Mayer

Michael Mayer is the Raiders’ true tight end. Bowers is aligned as a wide receiver more than he is on the end of the line of scrimmage. So Mayer is on the field plenty.

The Raiders just paid Mayer, making him a top-five paid tight end in the NFL. But so far, Mayer hasn’t really delivered as a receiver in 2026.

He played the first two weeks without Bowers and had just 55 receiving yards total. He added three catches for 32 yards and a touchdown in Week 3 with Bowers back. Another modest performance.

Mayer is in prime position to put up big numbers and justify his contract with defenses trying to stop Bowers. But he has to prove he can do it.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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