SerpApi.Org
There's any number of All-NFL teams out there. But what the best of those who would step up for those guys should they be lost to injury? Backups are crucial because they're always one snap away from being a starter.
ESPN went about putting together what could be a decent team made up of the league's top backups. And the Raiders had a couple players make the squad.
QB Fernando Mendoza
Mendoza isn't expected to start in Week 1 while he sits behind veteran Kirk Cousins, which opens up the door for him to appear as our first-round pick. If Mendoza does start, it will allow us to save the first-round pick and use a Raiders spot on Cousins, who would also be a viable starter at quarterback in our lineup.
Notes: Joe Flacco (CIN) and Jameis Winston (NYG) were the other two QB's represented.
ED Malcolm Koonce
After an eight-sack, 17-knockdown season across from Maxx Crosby in 2023, Koonce missed all of 2024 with a torn ACL. He came back a year ago and picked up 4.5 sacks and 13 knockdowns in a situational role, but he will spend 2026 as a reserve behind Crosby and free agent acquisition Kwity Paye in Vegas. He's another year removed from the ACL injury and there's a chance he could get back to his 2023 form.
Notes: The other four EDGE to make the squad were Kingsley Enagbare (NYJ), Nick Herbig (PIT), Al-Quadin Muhammad (TB), and Kayvon Thibodeaux (NYG).
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Couple Raiders make ESPN All-backup team
