Raiders’ O-Line Might Finally Not Be Offensive

With Rick Dennison at the helm and a revamped scheme, the Raiders’ offensive line could stage a dramatic turnaround—discover the changes that might redefine this unit in 2026.

Las Vegas Raiders superstar C Tyler Linderbaum | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

HENDERSON, Nev.—The Las Vegas Raiders, at the height of their popularity and greatness, were a franchise feared for their incredibly physical and attack-oriented offensive line.

To say those traits have been missing would be one of the biggest understatements in a world filled with hyperbole and bloviating.

Las Vegas Raiders GM John Spytek | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

Spytek On the Hunt

The offensive line, to be honest, has been offensive, and I don’t mean productive scoring.  It was such a glaring need that way back on January 5 of this year, GM John Spytek minced no words in talking about fixing it, and the priority it was, and is.

Las Vegas Raiders GM John Spytek, and minority owner Tom Brady | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

"We're going to attack this entire offseason with an extremely open mind. And anybody that can help bolster that offensive line and do the job required will be considered. We have a lot of cap space; we've got some elite draft picks and maybe adding a veteran presence in there or two would be helpful but not necessarily an absolute necessity. We're not going to begin with the end in mind."

Healthy at Last?

First, the Raiders have two key players back on the line, G Jackson Powers-Johnson (JPJ) and LT Kolton Miller, who both saw their 2025 campaigns cut short by injury.

Las Vegas Raiders Superstar LT Kolton Miller | Darrell Craig Harris, Sports Illustrated

Kolton Miller is the bookened left tackle, who around the National Football League is lauded as a top-five player at the most important offensive position not called quarterback.

JPJ, through no fault of his own, found himself last year in the cross hairs of a completely dysfunctional franchise that had some that saw him at guard and not center, and some that didn’t like his game.  The second part was foolish, as NFL teams swarmed to see if the Raiders' sophomore player (in 2025) could become available, even though many had him with a secure first—round grade when the Raiders stole him in the second round (44th Overall Pick) in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Las Vegas Raiders IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

Who’s New?

The Raiders made two additions so far this offseason, and both are significant, for various reasons.

NFL Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum | Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

I told you the moment Pete Carroll was fired and reported that Klint Kubiak was the number one candidate to replace him, that Tyler Linderbaum would be a top free-agent target.

Baring something of epic proportions (and we are dealing with the Raiders) Indian Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza will be the Raiders franchise signal caller in 2026, and Tyler Linderbaum is not just the best center in the NFL, he is a generaltion talent who is already considered by many to be either already there, or close to being the third best center in league history.

Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (QB11) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images | Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

He has the feet of a ballerina who can get down the field 40 yards on a pass play, blocking.  He plays like a possessed demoniac from the tombs of Gadara, who is gentle, kind, and warm off of it.  A superstar who operates from a place of humility, Linderbaum will be the quarterback of the offensive line, who will be the security blanket that a young QB like Mendoza needs.

At only 25, the Raiders reset the market for what they paid Linderbaum, making him the highest-paid IOL (Interior Offensive Lineman) in the NFL, but paying him like an elite offensive tackle.  Consider that, and then think about what one NFL GM told me recently, “I don’t care what the Raiders paid, that team, that situation, that player:  they got a deal.”

August 9, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Spencer Burford (74) during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Additionally, the Raiders added Spencer Burford, who played his first four seasons for the San Francisco 49ers and started 36 of 58 games.  He will compete for a starting guard job, but many feel he will end up as the backup.  Not because he is a poor player, but because of the Raiders' youth movement.

Projecting the Raiders Offensive Line Depth Chart

Name	Position (* Projected Starter)
Kolton Miller	LT*
Tyrler Linderbaum	C*
Delmar "DJ" Glaze THE MULE	RT*
Jackson Powers-Johnson	LG*
Caleb Rogers	RG*
Charles Grant	SWING OT
Spencer Burford	SWING G
Jordan Meredith OR Will Putnam	C

More On This in Today's Podast