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Ranking the Raiders' Best 2026 Players: No. 21

The Las Vegas Raiders' productive offseason has thoroughly revamped their roster. Still, the Raiders will depend on some of the talent already on the roster throughout the 2026 season and beyond.
Jun 9, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; A general overall view of Las Vegas Raiders organized team activities at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; A general overall view of Las Vegas Raiders organized team activities at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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The wholesale changes the Las Vegas Raiders made across the board this offseason impacted essentially every position group on the roster. Las Vegas used a productive offseason to help add much-needed talent to a roster in desperate need.

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Jun 9, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak during minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Raiders have put together one of the best offseasons in some time, finding ways, both big and small, to revamp their roster as much as reasonably possible. Las Vegas has used a strong offseason to position itself for a 2026 season that should be better than recent seasons.

Raiders' Reset

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May 28, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko speaks during a news conference during organized team activities at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images | Candice Ward-Imagn Images

The Raiders have a long way to go before they reach where they ultimately hope to be. However, it is clear that they are headed in the right direction. Las Vegas has fixed its coaching staff and is in the process of finally fixing its roster.

Over the next few weeks, we will rank the top 30 players on the Raiders' roster. There will be no rookies on this list, as it is impossible to make the list with zero regular-season snaps.

Ranking the Raiders: No. 21, OL Jackson Powers-Johnson

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Jul 24, 2025; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) during training camp press conference at the Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Arguably, one of the most significant questions facing the new-look Raiders this offseason will be the construction and performance of their offensive line. Last season, Las Vegas produced arguably the worst offensive line in the National Football League. This led to a lost 2025 campaign.

Las Vegas' offensive line entered this offseason's workout programs looking to prove how far they have come, especially after the addition of Tyler Linderbaum. Yet, the return of Powers-Johnson to full health, and most would assume, the starting lineup, is also a significant part of the offseason.

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Dec 22, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) enters the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The issues the Raiders' offensive line faced last season were multifaceted. Along with poor coaching from their positional coach and a long list of injuries, including to Powers-Johnson and veteran offensive tackle Kolton Miller, the unit faced other critical questions.

Much of last season was spent figuring out what position Powers-Johnson fit the best in before his injury. That, along with several other questions, has been answered. Now, as Miller recently explained, Las Vegas' offensive line must begin working together off the field to be better on it.

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Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Raiders center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

“I mean, first you got to be open. Open with your time, reaching out, or it could be just the little points you give them, but also it can go both ways, young guys ask things, you fill them in as best you can," Miller said.

"The camaraderie piece, again, taking spending time outside, spend an extra bit of time after practice, after meetings to meet with the rooks. I always try to be open to that, always try to be available and get the best I can out of the group."

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Sep 22, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) celebrates with Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The Raiders seem to have answered most of the questions facing their offensive line. Essentially, every starting position on the unit has already been figured out, yet the future of Powers-Johnson and the guard position still appears somewhat up in the air.

Kolton Miller and DJ Glaze have secured the two tackle positions. Linderbaum addresses the center position. However, between Powers-Johnson, Spencer Burford, and Caleb Rogers, the Raiders have multiple guards who can solidify the two starting guard positions.

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Jun 11, 2025; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) runs through a drill during Las Vegas Raiders Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images | Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Powers-Johnson's talent has never been in question, as he was entered last season as one of the top up-and-coming young offensive linemen in the league. Still, his ability to stay healthy and stay mentally connected to the game at all times has been in question for some time.

At the start of the offseason, one of Las Vegas' two offensive guard positions was assumed to be Powers-Johnson's to lose. As training camp approaches, it has become evident that the competition for those two starting positions has ramped up. Burford and Rogers have increased the competition.

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Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Raiders center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

"[Rogers is] a guy that keeps working, keeps improving. All those guys in that position, it's a really enjoyable room to be around, because every day they're helping each other, and they really push each other. In the mornings, I love to go in and see those guys, and maybe I get a joke out of one of the guys, but they're in there, they put in time, extra time,” Raiders offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko said.  

“So, whether it's Caleb [Rogers] or any of the other guys in the room, just seeing the effort that they're putting into growing their mental and physical abilities, growing their conditioning, all the stuff that we hope to build through this OTA period, so we can ramp up into training camp."

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Jun 9, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76), quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) and guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) during minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Powers-Johnson is unquestionably one of the best athletes the Raiders have on their roster. He is a starting-caliber offensive lineman in the National Football League. Yet he will only live up to that potential if he stays healthy and fully understands the mental side of the game.

Powers-Johnson has a chance to solidify himself with the Raiders, but he also has a chance to be passed by other players who are arguably less physically talented than he is. This is the conundrum Powers-Johnson and the Raiders are in together at the moment.

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Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

As Las Vegas looks to turn over a new leaf under head coach Klint Kubiak, Powers-Johnson's immediate and long-term future remains a looming question. The lineman undoubtedly possesses the physical skill set to be productive in the league.

However, the league is filled with examples of physically talented players who were unable to live up to their potential because they could not figure out the mental aspect of the game. As talented as Powers-Johnson is, it would be a shame if he became another example.

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May 20, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak speaks during a news conference during organized team activities at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images | Candice Ward-Imagn Images

As it stands, Powers-Johnson still has a potentially bright future in the league, and it is still fair to assume, at the moment, that it will be with the Raiders. However, as Powers-Johnson figured out last season, things change fast in the league. He must continue to develop into the player most believe he can be.

It goes without saying that Powers-Johnson is entering a pivotal season in his young career.

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Ezekiel Trezevant
EZEKIEL TREZEVANT

Ezekiel is a former Sports Editor from the Western Herald and former Atlanta Falcons beat writer.

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