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3 biggest Raiders training camp battles to watch ahead of 2026 NFL season appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Las Vegas Raiders enter 2026 NFL training camp with a mix of high and low expectations. The high part is the arrival of Fernando Mendoza and Klint Kubiak as quarterback and head coach, respectively. But the low part is Kubiak becoming the franchise’s third different coach in the last three seasons.
Kubiak brings a recent Super Bowl ring in tow via the Seattle Seahawks. Mendoza arrives as the Heisman Trophy winner and national champion from Indiana. But the latter isn’t labeled a lock to start right away at quarterback.
All leading into these three big battles to watch once the Silver and Black report to camp later this month.
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Quarterback
Mendoza injects new enthusiasm into the franchise as the top overall pick. Raider fans will hope the momentum he installed with the Hoosiers carries over to their team.
Except those same fans might have to wait a little longer for the Mendoza era.
Kirk Cousins enters this picture too and NFL insider for Sports Illustrated Albert Breer believes QB1 belongs to Cousins. He brings a past decorated resume of four Pro Bowl appearances and postseason experience.
Perhaps this is a battle that lingers past training camp.
Wide Receiver
Someone not named Brock Bowers must step up as the new leading wide receiver here. Because the tight end needs help and looks like he must carry this unknown receiver room.
Granted, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson became floated as a late trade idea. But such a move would clearly show that Vegas is more invested with Cousins behind center, given Jefferson’s success with the veteran QB. Plus general manager John Spytek likely would need to send Minnesota hefty draft capital to pull off landing Jefferson.
Stefon Diggs is one seeking an NFL home this late into the offseason. Vegas can present him one more chance at reestablishing himself as a WR1. Deebo Samuel rises as one more prominent past All-Pro seeking a new league location in NFL Free Agency.
But for now, looks like the race to the top receiver option comes down to former Cousins wideout Jalen Nailor, Tre Tucker, or past draft picks Dont’e Thornton and Jack Bech. None of those wideouts caught 60 passes last season.
Defensive Tackle
So now comes another massive question that hasn’t been answered for years: who can provide the best interior help for Maxx Crosby?
Christian Wilkins was supposed to be the guy but that experiment blew up. The Raiders do have veteran options here, starting with Jonah Laulu. The 26-year-old improved his tackle totals including stops for a loss at eight. But he’s undersized at 6-foot-0, 289-pounds and doesn’t come off as an every down option.
Hence why Thomas Booker IV enters the picture here as the potential permanent starter next to Crosby. He brings a larger 6-foot-3, 301-pound presence and delivered his own career-highs (44 tackles, 16 solo).
Adam Butler surfaces as the favorite to avoid rotational duty here, though. The past Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots enters season four with the Raiders and has piled his most tackles (143) with the franchise. But with Super Bowl 60 Most Valuable Player Kenneth Walker III now in the Kansas City Chiefs backfield, finding a true starting defensive tackle is a must here.
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