Raiders face rebuild, but team’s future looking up ahead of NFL combine

The stars might finally be lining up for a real and earnest rebuild for the Raiders.

They hold the first pick overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, which will undoubtedly be used to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and nine other selections to devote to the infrastructure around the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.

They also have the second-most cap space in the league at a projected $91 million, which will grow by $8 million with the expected release of quarterback Geno Smith, and the equivalent cash on hand to pour into the roster.

Those resources, coupled with the persuasion of minority owner Tom Brady, the club’s de facto president of football operations, helped them land new head coach Klint Kubiak, the most coveted offensive mind in this year’s coaching cycle.

An incredible amount of work lies ahead for a club that finished in a four-way tie for the NFL’s worst record, but for the first time in decades, they have the means, resources and like-minded leadership group to put the franchise on course for success.

“Now it’s time to execute,” said someone with knowledge of the club’s thinking.

As the Raiders’ decision-makers settle in Indianapolis next week for the NFL scouting combine, here are some things they will be focused on:

The Maxx Crosby situation

Maxx Crosby, the Raiders’ game-wrecking edge rusher, dominated the news cycle during Super Bowl week, with multiple reports surfacing that he might balk at yet another rebuild in Las Vegas. His uneasiness is understandable, given the multiple resets he’s signed off on over the years that led him and the franchise nowhere.

Crosby will turn 29 years old just before the start of next season, and as he scans the remaining years he has at peak level, the itch to win and play on the NFL’s biggest stages continues to grow. Would anybody blame him if he asked for a trade to a team that presents a more immediate chance to win and the opportunity to showcase his immense talents in meaningful games?

At the least, Crosby has earned the right to sit down with Brady, general manager John Spytek and Kubiak to get a feel for the new plan and, as importantly, the timeline they have in mind to put the Raiders in position to compete at a high level.

Crosby bleeds silver and black, and it would surprise no one if he buys into the Raiders’ latest blueprint. But his desire to maximize his immediate future could guide him to a different conclusion.

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One way or another, expect to get some clarity this week in Indianapolis, with the Raiders getting a better handle on Crosby’s wishes and, just as pertinently, getting an idea of what type of compensation might be available to them should he ask for a trade.

The teams lining up to acquire Crosby would be in double digits, according to multiple league sources, and likely drive the return to a minimum of two first-round picks.

Ideally, the Raiders return home to Las Vegas in lockstep with Crosby. But moving on from him, albeit reluctantly, could help expedite their rebuild.

Offensive line

For various reasons, the Raiders fielded the NFL’s worst offensive line last year, an irrefutable fact backed up by the 64 sacks they surrendered and by fielding the league’s worst rushing attack.

It didn’t help that ankle injuries limited left tackle Kolton Miller to the first three games of the season and Jackson Powers-Johnson’s second season to eight games.

Getting both players back will go a long way.

That said, the feeling in the Raiders’ building is that coaching was also an issue, leading to the stalled growth of right tackle DJ Glaze and the slow development of rookies Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant. The club believes it solved the problem with Kubiak’s hire and his decision to bring longtime offensive line guru Rick Dennison with him to Las Vegas.

Nevertheless, more talent is needed. The good news? This year’s free agent market is projected to yield multiple options, with Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, and guards Isaac Seumalo (Steelers), David Edwards (Bills) and Alijah Vera-Tucker (Jets) all potentially hitting the open market.

The Raiders will also get a close-up look at Oregon interior offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon, Georgia’s Monroe Freeling (tackle), Clemson’s Blake Miller (tackle), Iowa’s Gennings Dunker (tackle), Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor (tackle), Northwestern’s Caleb Tiernan (tackle), Auburn’s Connor Lew (interior) and Florida’s Jake Slaughter (interior) from a deep OL draft class in Indianapolis.

Linebacker

The Raiders are likely facing a minimum two-year rebuild, with needs at wide receiver, rush end, cornerback and offensive line among the most pressing.

But linebacker is as dire as any, with all three of last year’s starters set to hit free agency and no guarantee that Elandon Roberts, Jamal Adams or Devin White will return. That leaves youngsters Jack Eichenberg, Cody Lindenberg and Jamin Davis as the only linebackers under contract.

The Packers’ Quay Walker and the Jaguars’ Devin Lloyd are free agents to keep an eye on, with both players fitting the Raiders’ ideal talent-to-age profile.

Indianapolis will also provide a good look at Cincinnati’s Jake Golday, Alabama’s Deontae Lawson, Missouri’s Josiah Trotter, Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez, Utah’s Lander Barton and Pitt’s Kyle Louis.