Why Raiders' Depth Chart Before Final Preseason Game Speaks Volumes

Las Vegas Raiders are a day away from finishing their first preseason under head coach Klint Kubiak. They are set to make several big decisions within days of the game ending.

As the Raiders prepare to face the San Francisco 49ers at home on Thursday night, Kubiak explained how he views the roster he will soon cut in half.

Below is an analysis of Las Vegas' most recent depth chart.

Quarterback

Kirk Cousins
Fernando Mendoza
Aidan O'Connell

Analysis: Although Las Vegas continues to develop Mendoza, and he appears to be further along in his development than some may realize, Las Vegas did not sign Cousins to start the season on the bench. This means he may not play against the 49ers. Still, the QB competition rages on.

Aug 20, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. (30) enters the field before the Raiders played the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Running Back

Ashton Jeanty
Mike Washington
Dylan Laube
Roman Hemby
Dare Ogunbowale

Analysis: Jeanty suffered what was reported to be a sprained ankle this week in practice. That means, moving forward, Las Vegas will depend on a handful of capable backs who bring various qualities to the backfield. There is no replacing Jeanty, but the Raiders can cushion the blow.

First up in the rotation will be Washington. The rookie has had a solid preseason and will likely carry most of the load until Jeanty returns. Las Vegas has prepared its running backs for action throughout training camp, but Washington will set the tone until Jeanty returns.

It will be interesting to see how the Raiders split up the snaps between the group against the 49ers. Kubiak recently shared his thoughts on Washington.

“I would say that he has done a phenomenal job of growing up really fast. I think he got here, we drafted him, you come to the NFL, there's a lot on your plate, and then we throw all these new protections at you, these new fronts and blitzes and routes," Kubiak said.

"I think that he's a guy that understands that we are counting on him, and he needs to get up to speed quickly. And he's been mature about that, and he's going to keep working."

Fullback

Connor Heyward

Analysis: He quietly handles Las Vegas' fullback duties. If necessary, they can use reserve tight ends to help with some of the same things.

Tight End

Brock Bowers
Michael Mayer
Ian Thomas
Albert Okwuegbunam Jr.
Carter Runyon
Chris Myarick

Analysis: The Raiders may have the deepest group of tight ends of any team in the league this season. Whether Las Vegas decides to play Bowers or Mayer against the 49ers, and how much they do, will be intriguing, as the two teams will face each other in the regular season.

Wide Receiver

Jalen Nailor
Dont'e Thornton Jr.
Shedrick Jackson
Chase Roberts

Analysis: Las Vegas is still searching for dependable answers at wide receiver. Nailor should be successful under Kubiak. Yet, the rest of the pass-catchers here should likely play as much as possible in the final preseason game.

Wide Receiver

Jack Bech
Malik Benson
Deven Thompkins
E.J. Williams Jr.

Analysis: Bech is similar to Nailor in the sense that it may do the Raiders more harm than good to play him for too long against a team they will see in a game that counts. However, Benson, Thompson, and Williams should get plenty of action on Thursday.

Wide Receiver

Tre Tucker
Dareke Young
Phillip Dorsett II
Brandon Johnson

Analysis: Tucker has made progress every season. Thursday would be a good time for just about all the receivers to get additional work, regardless of who starts at quarterback.

Left Tackle

Kolton Miller
Charles Grant
Isaiah Jatta
Kamar Missouri

Analysis: Miller likely does not need to see much time in the final preseason game. Grant could gain a lot of valuable experience against San Francisco.

Left Guard

Spencer Burford
Caleb Rogers
Braeden Daniels

Analysis: Burford has quietly had a solid training camp. Rogers needs a lot of work on Thursday night.

Center

Tyler Linderbaum
Jordan Meredith
Will Putnam

Analysis: Meredith is listed as the backup center. Although he will likely see action there on Thursday, Las Vegas might be better served using another offensive lineman in that reserve role. The final preseason game will give Las Vegas another look at Meredith in that position before the team decides.

Right Guard

Jackson Powers-Johnson
Atonio Mafi
Niklas Henning

Analysis: Powers-Johnson suffered an injury last week but has returned. Risking further injury in the preseason may not be worth it. Mafi and Henning could use the repetitions.

Right Tackle

DJ Glaze
Trey Zuhn
Dalton Wagner

Analysis: Zuhn will be a starting lineman for the Raiders soon. The more playing time he can get now, the better.

Defensive Tackle

Adam Butler
Thomas Booker
Brandon Cleveland

Analysis: The Raiders should use the final preseason game to see how well Cleveland can hold up throughout a game with a high workload.

Defensive Tackle

Tonka Hemingway
Jonah Laulu
JJ Pegues
Gary Smith III
Folorunso Fatukasi

Analysis: Las Vegas' deepest position group. Smith and Fatukasi need more playing time. They could be assets behind Hemingway and others. Both players give the Raiders size along the interior defensive line that other players on the unit lack.

Edge

Kwity Paye
Keyron Crawford
Cian Slone

Analysis: All three of these players need additional time on the field against a different team. They should all be on the field for a good amount of time on Thursday.

Defensive End

Maxx Crosby
Malcolm Koonce
Jahfari Harvey
Patrick Johnson

Analysis: Koonce, Harvey, and Johnson are a solid trio. Harvey and Johnson must use the final preseason game to cement a solid past few months of work.

Right Inside Linebacker

Nakobe Dean
Tommy Eichenberg
Segun Olubi

Analysis: If there is not a depth chart battle between Eichenberg and Olubi, there should be, and the coaching staff should let them duke it out on Thursday against the 49ers.

Left Inside Linebacker

Quay Walker
Cody Lindenberg
Xavian Sorey Jr.

Analysis: Lindenberg is solid and versatile but may not see much time on the field behind Walker, depending on how defensive coordinator Rob Leonard decides to do things. Lindenberg and Sorey should play a lot on Thursday.

Left Cornerback

Eric Stokes
Decamerion Richardson
Jermod McCoy

Analysis: Richardson and McCoy need work. McCoy looked faster and quicker in the team's second preseason game; it will be interesting to see if he takes another step forward.

Right Cornerback

Darien Porter
Hezekiah Masses

Analysis: The loss of Chigozie Anusiem is what stands out the most about this position group in this week's depth chart. Las Vegas is depending heavily on Porter and Masses this season.

Slot Cornerback

Taron Johnson
Greedy Vance
Caleb Offord
Devyn Perkins

Analysis: Every player except Johnson needs to be on the field a lot against the 49ers.

Free Safety

Isaiah Pola-Mao
Treydan Stukes
Tristin McCollum

Analysis: Another strong offseason performance by Stukes could make things very, very interesting this season.

Strong Safety

Jeremy Chinn
Dalton Johnson
Devin Lafayette

Analysis: The Raiders know what they have in Chinn. Thursday night is for Johnson and Lafayette.

Kicker/Kickoffs

Matt Gay
Kansei Matsuzawa

Analysis: The job is Gay's to lose. The competition has honestly not been very close.

Punter/Holder

AJ Cole

Analysis: Cole is one of the most dependable punters in the league.

Kick Returner

Tre Tucker
Dylan Laube

Analysis: Tucker and Laube are two of the most sure-handed players on the team.

Punt Returner

Tre Tucker
Jermod McCoy

Analysis: Technically, the Raiders have a handful of other players they can list here who may fill the positions on Thursday, but Tucker and McCoy are a solid duo.

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