The Raiders Most Contentious Position Battle Rages On

Jun 9, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76), quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) and guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) during minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Raiders Most Contentious Position Battle Rages On

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Tyler Bischoff | Last updated Aug 17, 2026 9:39 AM ET

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One of the Raiders' biggest flaws to fix is the offensive line. Last season Las Vegas managed to allow the most sacks and produce the lowest yards per carry in the NFL.

Part of the solution for 2026 is to rely on younger players to improve. The Raiders didn’t add a player to take over at right guard, instead the position falls to two returning players: Jackson Powers-Johnson and Caleb Rogers.

At Sunday’s practice, Powers-Johnson started at right guard, before giving way to Rogers later in practice. It was a similar situation in the first preseason game. Powers-Johnson played the first drive with the starters, but both players took snaps with the second-team offense.

Head coach Klint Kubiak is not ready to name a starter. When asked if Jackson Powers-Johnson has solidified himself as a starter, Kubiak offered a one-word answer, “No.”

So the position battle will continue as the Raiders head to Houston this week for joint practices and a second preseason game.

Jackson Powers-Johnson

Powers-Johnson appears to have the leg up in the race to be the starting right guard. He has been given the first chance in practice and games, even if Kubiak won’t say he’s got the job.

But this is the third straight season where Powers-Johnson has struggled to impress a coaching staff. Antonio Pierce, Pete Carroll and Kubiak have all hesitated to make Powers-Johnson a starter. While Pierce and Carroll were disasters in their brief stints in Las Vegas, it can’t be ignored that three coaches have shared the same timid opinion.

The Raiders selected Powers-Johnson with a second-round pick in the 2024 draft. Since, he has been moved around the offensive line. He has played at least 400 (and not more than 600) snaps at left guard, center and right guard. It appears the Raiders have finally settled on right guard as his position, but not necessarily as a starter.

Caleb Rogers

Rogers was a third-round pick in the 2025 draft, but rarely saw the field as a rookie. He played just 284 snaps last season, all at right guard. Rogers may have improved from last season, but he’s clearly not been good enough to simply overtake Powers-Johnson at right guard.

He’s still behind Powers-Johnson, but with the lack of talent at the guard spots and the almost certainty of injury for offensive linemen, Rogers should play a bigger role this season.

Ultimately, the Raiders will probably get below average production at right guard this season. If neither player takes off, right guard could be a position the Raiders need to address next offseason.

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

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