Raiders HC Klint Kubiak Has 1 Vital Draft Focus

The Las Vegas Raiders had a strong start to free agency, making multiple additions on offense and defense. Those moves have eliminated many of the Raiders' biggest needs, most notably at linebacker and along the offensive line.

Raiders' Draft

The Raiders' front office has begun throwing themselves deep into their preparation for the NFL Draft. As general manager John Spytek enters his second offseason, the upcoming draft marks another critical mark in his tenure with the team. Las Vegas' 10 draft picks will prove vital.

Las Vegas' 2025 draft class was talented but did not make much of an impact in their rookie seasons. This makes the 2026 draft class even more important than the 2025 class. Las Vegas cannot afford two consecutive draft classes that fail to produce, as it would be a set back to their rebuild.

The Raiders will add quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and nine other players in this month's draft. There are several position groups the Raiders have yet to adequately address, such as safety and cornerback. Both position groups will be a high priority for Spytek and the Raiders' front office.

Kubiak recently explained how critical it will be for the Raiders to add to their group of safeties as soon as possible. The first-time head coach believes the NFL Draft is the perfect time for Las Vegas to address depth at the position group for the upcoming season and beyond.

“Just watching more players on the other side of the ball. Other than that, I'll let you know on draft day. Still in that process of what it all looks like, but just being familiar with the entire draft as opposed to just the offense,” Kubiak said at the NFL's Annual Meetings.

"I think we've got to get deeper. It's a good draft for that position. I think we've got three guys that we're working with right now. We've got to continue to build that depth."

The Raiders are confident in Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao. However, behind those two, the Raiders do not have much depth to speak of. If either Chinn or Pola-Mao were to miss significant time, the Raiders' defense would be in trouble. They must add to the position group.

It could be argued that the Raiders need to add multiple safeties over this offseason and next, as both Chinn and Pola-Mao's contracts are set to expire soon. Las Vegas' defensive backfield needs help moving forward. The group needs an infusion of talent to go along with its improved coaching.

The Raiders have added to their defensive line, linebackers, and cornerbacks this season. Safety is the only position group on defense that the Raiders' front office did not address in free agency.

That, combined with the number of draft picks they have and Kubiak's comments, all but guarantee the Raiders will add a safety at some point in the draft.