How Raiders' Offense Can Prove Doubters Wrong in 2026

Originally posted on Las Vegas Raiders on SI
By Fernando Alfaro-Donis | Last updated Aug 23, 2026 7:00 AM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders are 1-1 in the preseason, with their second game being a thrilling last-second victory against the Houston Texans. The Raiders have a lot to be excited about heading into 2026, and Raider Nation has a lot to look forward to as well.

Klint Kubiak has looked the part as their franchise head coach, and it's clear that he's going to raise their offensive floor. However, he's still yet to show he can do it in the regular season. What's one aspect of their roster that can hold him back from this offense reaching its true potential?

PFF Ranking

Pro Football Focus released its ranking of each NFL team's receiving corps heading into next season. Although the Raiders' wide receiver room is one of the worst in the NFL, I don't think they deserve to be the second-to-last team on this list.

"Brock Bowers was the highest-graded pass-catcher in the red zone last season and is the clear centerpiece of this passing attack. Ashton Jeanty does not carry a reputation as a big receiving producer out of the backfield, and there is very little to speak of at wide receiver. Jalen Nailor, Tre Tucker, Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr. would struggle to see the field in a number of other offenses around the league," the rankings wrote.

What Can Change

With a healthy Brock Bowers, there's no way anyone can justify having the Raiders under teams like the Cleveland Browns or Tennessee Titans. Paired with an offensive coordinator like Kubiak, he's bound to get the most production out of his weapons, even with a weaker receiving room.

Ashton Jeanty's rookie season was plagued by poor offensive line play, and it was one of the reasons why the 2025 Raiders were so disappointing. That may have been a blessing in disguise, as it forced the Raiders to use him more in the passing game, resulting in him having five touchdowns through the air and on the ground.

All of this, not to mention the potential leap some of their younger receivers can make. I don't expect any of them to make the leap Jaxon Smith-Njigba made last season, but it would be naive to say none of them will see an increase in production and reliability under Kubiak.

It all depends on the upcoming regular season, which I'm sure we're all eagerly awaiting. Jack Bech already looks to have taken a step forward under Kubiak, but I'm more interested in seeing whether their speedsters can develop more of their route tree and grow out of that niche in their offensive scheme. Who knows? The Raiders may already have a diamond in the rough who could be their primary receiver of the future on their roster.

This article first appeared on Las Vegas Raiders on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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