The Next Critical Juncture for Raiders, Spytek is Quickly Approaching

It may not seem like it, but the Las Vegas Raiders are nearing an extremely critical point. A productive offseason could help them immensely. A failed offense would do the exact opposite.

The Foundation

The Raiders drafted 11 players last offseason. Of those 11 players, one was off the team before the start of the regular season. Another was off the roster by the end of the season. Aside from Ashton Jeanty, the other nine draftees were a nonfactor for most of what was a lost season for the Raiders.

Most of Las Vegas' 2025 draft class did not see much action on Sundays until late in the season. Former Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll explained that the rookies simply needed time to develop, despite the team being in the middle of a 10-game losing streak.

Instead of using a season in which it was clear early how things were going to go to help develop the 2025 rookie class, Carroll and his coaching staff insisted that the rookies develop more in practice first, as the Raiders continued to lose. Once those players got on the field, they showed potential.

Caleb Rogers showed he has the potential to develop into a solid interior offensive lineman for the Raiders. Charles Grant showed potential late in the season. Cornerback Darien Porter undoubtedly has potential, especially if the Raiders add more veteran cornerbacks to help bring him along.

Wide receivers Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton both have potential, with more development and proper coaching. Bech and Thornton should be two of the biggest beneficiaries of an improved roster and the arrival of Klint Kubiak as the team's head coach.

Defensive linemen Tonka Hemingway and JJ Pegues flashed potential in a position group that the Raiders need talent in. Both are likely to improve with additional playing time and an improved roster. Which brings the Raiders to their next step in the tenure of Raiders General Manager John Spytek.

Spytek's Follow-Up

Spytek's first season was far from a success. Although nobody expected the season to go the way it did, few figured things would go overly well in 2025. Las Vegas' 3-14 campaign landed them the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, which will is all but guaranteed to be quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Las Vegas drafted what could be a generational tight end in Brock Bowers the season before Spytek arrived. Spytek's very first draft pick as a general manager was a running back with the No. 6 overall pick, even though Las Vegas had several other, more pressing needs.

Now, Spytek and the Raiders are set to draft what appears to be their next franchise quarterback, Fernando Mendoza. After adding Jeanty, adding the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback is the perfect follow-up first-round pick for Spytek as he enters a vital second season with the Raiders.

Along with the No. 1 pick, Las Vegas is expected to use on Mendoza, they also have nine additional picks in this year's draft. They could also add multiple picks by trading star defensive end Maxx Crosby, who is reportedly unhappy in Las Vegas. They would save $31 million by trading Crosby.

It is impossible to make a 3-14 season better than what it was. However, the Raiders know they made the right decision on Jeanty. Several of the Raiders' other 2025 draftees showed potential. If Kubiak's coaching staff can help those players develop into contributors in 2026, it is a significant win.

Added contributions to the Raiders' 2025 draft class, the incoming 2026 rookie class, and a strong free-agency period could put the Raiders' rebuild ahead of where it currently stands. This offseason is Spytek and the Raiders' chance to add another significant layer to the foundation of their rebuild.

Kubiak plans to approach the offseason the same way regardless of the Raiders' current situation or what it may be in the future. Kubiak believes that how he and his coaching staff prepare the team will be just as crucial as the roster moves they make.

"Whether it's a rebuild, whether you're on a returning roster with Super Bowl aspirations, to me, the work doesn't change, preparation doesn't change. Every team next year is going to start off undefeated at 0-0, so to me it doesn't change much,” Kubiak said.

“Obviously, it's what you identify your team needs in the offseason, player acquisition wise, and then once April 15 starts, we're all on the same plane."

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