{"id":824665,"date":"2026-03-21T06:09:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T06:09:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/824665\/"},"modified":"2026-03-21T06:09:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T06:09:25","slug":"headline-raiders-2026-mailbag-klint-kubiaks-offense-right-tackle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/824665\/","title":{"rendered":"Headline: Raiders 2026 Mailbag: Klint Kubiak\u2019s Offense, right tackle"},"content":{"rendered":"

In my fourth? installment of a Mailbag, we\u2019ll dive into the Raiders off-season, draft, and other aspects. For anyone wanting to have their questions answered, please take a look at my twitter <\/a>and a feed post will go live as well for the future.<\/p>\n

Q: How does Kubiak run his system without a true #1? He\u2019s had one everywhere he\u2019s gone as an OC. <\/p>\n

Kubiak didn\u2019t necessarily have a top receiver for the Saints in 2024, with Chris Olave only having played 8 games posting 32 receptions, 400 yards, and a touchdown. Jaxon Smith-Njigba had the top season in 2025 with Seattle posting 119 receptions, 1793 yards, and 10 touchdowns. Kubiak\u2019s remained consistent with one thing throughout his time in both Seattle and New Orleans, involving the tight end. Juwan Johnson had 50 receptions, 548 yards, and three touchdowns with the Saints, while Foster Moreau also added 32 receptions, 413 yards, and five touchdowns. The Seahawks saw AJ Barner log 52 receptions, 519 yards, and six touchdowns with Elijah Arroyo having 15 receptions, 219 yards, and a touchdown. The Raiders are going to involve Brock Bowers heavily, and Bowers will also be the teams \u201ctop receiver\u201d, with Michael Mayer also likely seeing a very large chunk of production going forward as the team\u2019s second tight end. Kubiak will also spread the ball around, as he\u2019s done in multiple spots which will allow the Raiders to get both Bowers & Mayer involved, along with Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, Jalen Nailor, and potentially a rookie as well.<\/p>\n

Q: Why does everyone assume Grant will be starting RT week 1, despite zero RT experience?<\/p>\n

Grant barely played in 2026 with just 59 snaps, and one start at left tackle throughout his NFL career though he allowed just 1 pressure in that time and 5.2 ypc lead blocking. The Raiders could be looking to eventually have Grant as their replacement for Kolton Miller if he\u2019s potentially traded following the 2026 season. Grant turns 24 later this week, and the former William & Mary tackle does have a ton of positives to note going forward in his career. He\u2019s an elite athlete, has a wrestling background, and does have the technique to cross at the NFL level. Grant needs to develop his strength, which is likely the goal of this off-season. The largest point for Grant going forward to be the right tackle is the Raiders lack of a true starter, with DJ Glaze struggling and likely being a candidate to move to guard. Grant shows the athleticism to move to right tackle, and got work there during the off-season and training camp as well. Las Vegas could keep Glaze at right tackle, but Grant likely will be competing for the role regardless.<\/p>\n

Q: How is Michael Mayer implemented in 2026?<\/p>\n

As mentioned above, Kubiak has heavily involved two tight ends through his time in the NFL as an offensive coordinator. Additionally, Expect the Raiders to use Mayer and Bowers, with Bowers likely working as a Y\/move TE also seeing time in the slot, with Mayer being used inline. Mayer has earned the chance to be productive this year, and his blocking will also help him get on the field too. Kubiak will use Mayer as their second tight end, but also as a key target inline. He\u2019s logged north of 300 yards in two of his three seasons, and while those came in replacement of Bowers or the starter, I\u2019d expect Mayer to have north of 350 yards as the second tightend in the Raiders offense.<\/p>\n

Q: Odds DJ Glaze is starting Right Tackle?<\/p>\n

Unless Glaze is competing for right guard, I\u2019d assume he\u2019s the starter for the team at right tackle, even as much as I like Charles Grant and think he should be the teams starting RT this season. Glaze regressed in 2025, as did the entire Las Vegas offensive line where he allowed 10 sacks and 48 pressures. Glaze struggles at times with his athleticism and ability to work against quick pass rushers, though I\u2019d expect for Glaze to rebound under new coaching this year. He\u2019s just 23 years old, and his run blocking will be pivotal for him as well. The other key factor is Glaze going back to a zone blocking system similar to 2024, unlike the gap assignment in the initial part of 2025. Following the firing of Chip Kelly, the Raiders started to implement more zone blocking with Greg Olson, where Glaze allowed just 3 sacks and 21 pressures through seven games compared to his 7 sacks and 27 pressures the first 11 games.<\/p>\n

Q: Will Jeanty be the workhorse runningback, or do you think Las Vegas tries to find more depth?<\/p>\n

Las Vegas currently only has three runningbacks on the roster with Ashton Jeanty, Chris Collier, and Dylan Laube. I\u2019d expect them to add a complementary back on a cheap free agent deal, while also drafting one and signing a UDFA. The Raiders want to play complementary rushing to Ashton Jeanty and it\u2019s something Kubiak has done his entire career. The Raiders pairing Jeanty with a young back would also allow the two to develop and pair together for the next 4 seasons (assuming Jeanty\u2019s 5th year option is picked up) which is enticing.<\/p>\n

Q: Will the Raiders still add more to their wide receiver position?<\/p>\n

They simply have to, be that another veteran free agent which I think will happen after the draft or another rookie, the receiver room not only needs more depth but another legit threat as well. Jack Bech struggled in 2025, but was also a contributor when on the field, and ranked 5th in all rookies for separation and 7th in YAC\/reception. Additionally, Jalen Nailor will step into the wide receiver two role extremely well as he\u2019s done in parts with Minnesota hauling in 72 receptions, 1099 yards, and 11 touchdowns across the last four seasons. He\u2019s a true deep treat, nicknamed speedy, but also works well in the intermediate range. In addition, the Raiders will have Tre Tucker involved, who has shown the diversity to work outside and be a threat in all three phases of the offense, especially on 12-18 yard routes where he ranked among the top of the NFL for EPA\/reception (6th to be exact). Outside of those three, the room is brought up with Shedrick Jackson, who might breakout in a diverse role, Dareke Young, and Dont\u2019e Thornton but all three have shown nothing to indicate trusting as a fourth option. Las Vegas needs more veteran depth, and a true rookie threat that can stretch the field and be the \u201cgo to\u201d backshoulder threat for Fernando Mendoza while playing a true X. The likes of Elijah Sarratt, Antonio Williams, Bryce Lance, and Ted Hurst stand out.<\/p>\n

Q: With Isaiah Pola-Mao not being asked to do a role as a single high safety, do you think we see an uptick him in for 2026 after transitioning to a two high look?<\/p>\n

The Raiders led the NFL in cover three for 2025 (52%) and first in zone at 92%. The Raiders have ran a ton of cover three over the last few seasons under Patrick Graham, including heavily in 2024 where Pola-Mao allowed 30 receptions, 408 yards, three touchdowns, and a 132.1 QBR along with adding 5 PBU. He\u2019s struggled in coverage when lined at free safety, through the last two seasons regardless of 2 or 3 high. Las Vegas is going to play Jeremy Chinn at strong safety, and a nickel linebacker role which should allow for Isaiah Pola-Mao to shift more towards his strong safety position unlike the true centerfield safety he\u2019s played in C3. With that, the Raiders should add a safety in the 2026 draft likely in the second or third round. Regardless, I wouldn\u2019t expect a ton of change in Pola-Mao\u2019s coverage going forward.<\/p>\n

Q: Would it make sense to use our 2nd and 4th round picks on defense, while the third is a wide receiver? <\/p>\n

The Raiders only two notable starters they need to add are at free safety and nose tackle (and QB but that\u2019s taken care of), though they can improve the roster on the defensive interior, right tackle, wide receiver, and depth at cornerback and linebacker. Las Vegas will likely address majority of those with some veteran free agents between now and the draft, but expect them to draft playmakers also at a majority of those positions. Las Vegas can\u2019t necessarily pigeonhole themselves into taking defense at 2nd or 4th round but they need to add starters to that side on cheap contracts, given how much was spent in recent weeks. Las Vegas needs to take an approach of best players that will be key impact contributors on cheap contracts, regardless of position.<\/p>\n

Q: Thought\u2019s on Hezekiah Masses, Cal CB?<\/p>\n

Truthfully, I haven\u2019t fully dove into Masses film and he\u2019s slated to come up soon. That said, Cal has done a phenomenal job developing CB\u2019s in recent seasons and Masses FIU film is something I am familiar with. He\u2019s\u2019 a lengthy physical cornerback, is an extremely fluid tackler but does have a tendency to take some poor angles or be over powered. He\u2019s fluid in his lower half, shows good ball skills, but needs to become more consistent. He showed an increase with instincts in 2025 logging 5 INT and 11 PBU while allowing a 59 QBR. He\u2019s a fluid fit for what Las Vegas can do with their defense and currently projected as a 4th rounder.<\/p>\n

Q: Do you think Tre Tucker is in the team\u2019s plan for 2026?<\/p>\n

Tucker is no doubt in the team\u2019s plans for the 2026 season, and in a contract season I\u2019d expect a big season from Tucker. Jalen Nailor will patrol the Raiders slot, rotating with Jack Bech as well. Tucker has consistently played on the outside nearly 76% of his NFL snaps, but does have slot versatility. Additionally, Tucker showed good flashes in 2025 ranking inside the top 25 of the NFL for separation and YAC\/reception. In total he\u2019s consistently improved year after year, and will have the best QB play of his career in 2026 which is another critical factor. I\u2019d expect for Tucker to have a big role, likely with 65-80 targets but capitalize more often instead of his 57 receptions on 90 targets in 2025. He\u2019ll be used as a gadget receiver on screens, wide receiver rushes, and displays a diverse route tree as well that Las Vegas and Kubiak will tap into.<\/p>\n

Q: What remaining OL could be a good fit for the Raiders?<\/p>\n

The team just signed Spencer Burford as I\u2019m writing this, and I was going to include him which is a good start. Additionally, Las Vegas has a deep roster of youth on their interior with Caleb Rogers & Charles Grant in year two, DJ Glaze & Jackson Powers-Johnson in year three, and now Burford in year five. Las Vegas is likely going to rely on their youth in Rogers, Grant, Glaze, and Powers-Johnson, but adding veterans is the best choice. For that, the interior is most likely nearly done with Powers-Johnson, Linderbaum the starters and a competition\/depth of Jordan Meredith, Caleb Rogers, and Spencer Burford though they\u2019ll likely need a true backup C. Additionally, at tackle the Raiders have DJ Glaze, Kolton Miller, Charles Grant, and Dalton Wagner but a spot opens for a veteran addition. To finally get to the question, the top options would be Eagles T Fred Johnson or Dolphins T Kendall Lamm, both veteran options that can swing tackle or be a plug and play option at RT.<\/p>\n

Q: What is your prediction for the starting offensive line come week 1?<\/p>\n

Right now I\u2019ll go with Kolton Miller, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Tyler Linderbaum, Caleb Rogers, DJ Glaze. Though I think the battle for right guard will be extremely deep with Rogers, Burford, and Meredith all having a good chance to take the spot.<\/p>\n

Q: Thoughts on taking a 2nd round nose tackle?<\/p>\n

Personally, it very much depends on who the nose tackle is, and if they can produce as a pass rusher then it\u2019s a good pick, but a true run only nose tackle is a hard pick to take value wise in round 2. Nose tackles are a valuable position, but veterans on cheap contracts have also shown to be productive, and those that are often are taken in early day 3, late day two. The current nose tackle class, only contains Caleb Banks who\u2019s shown upside as a pass rusher and while Texas Tech\u2019s Lee Hunter does have some production as a pass rusher, he\u2019s likely to be average in that field at the NFL level. Personally, Las Vegas\u2019 best bet would be targeting Domonique Orange or Dontay Corleone in rounds 4\/5 and take a more premium position at 36 such as safety, receiver, or a defensive tackle with pass rush production and upside.<\/p>\n

Q: Will we see more work on the UDFA front compared to what they did in 2025?<\/p>\n

Yes, the Raiders signed a plethora of undrafted rookies after the 2025 season, but the Raiders coaching staff opted to go with veterans over the undrafted rookies that the front office preferred. Despite this, Las Vegas did see some notable UDFA\u2019s that could make an impact on the 2026 roster and also had minor snaps in 2025. Notably, tight end Carter Runyon logged 46 offensive snaps as a reserve tight end starting in week 5 and the 6\u20196, 235-pound Towson product also played 205 snaps on special teams with two tackles. Las Vegas also added EDGE Jahfari Harvey, who only played 27 snaps but had a tackle, run stop, and pressure in his 27 snaps. Cornerback Greedy Vance saw 92 snaps allowing seven receptions for 69 yards, a 98.6 QBR, and a PBU on 10 targets with another 2 run stops. Vance, 5\u201910, 170-pounds should see some time in 2026 as a depth corner. Lastly, defensive lineman Treven Ma\u2019ae showed promise in pre-season ranking highly in run stop win rate, pass rush win rate, and double team win rate, which paired to his versatility on the DL should be an intriguing option in 2026.<\/p>\n

Q: What are some non talked about players on the roster who could make an impact next year?<\/p>\n

The biggest for me, and is why I\u2019ll miss on this, is defensive tackle Treven Ma\u2019ae who as mentioned above has the defensive versatility to play 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 technique mainly focusing on 2, 3, and 4 technique which for the Raiders versatile front will be crucial. Additionally, he showed promising film in the pre-season. Other options include Jordan Meredith, who\u2019s heading back to a system similar to 2024 and could find success again at right guard, second year standouts Darien Porter, Tonka Hemingway, and Jack Bech should take big steps as well. Finally, the last one will be recent signing, linebacker Segun Olubi who I\u2019d expect takes a decent role as the Raiders weakside linebacker and will standout on special teams.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In my fourth? installment of a Mailbag, we\u2019ll dive into the Raiders off-season, draft, and other aspects. For…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":824666,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2065],"tags":[7,1744,393,77335,2455,2454,6,525],"class_list":{"0":"post-824665","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-las-vegas-raiders","8":"tag-football","9":"tag-las-vegas","10":"tag-las-vegas-raiders","11":"tag-las-vegas-raiders-analysis","12":"tag-lasvegas","13":"tag-lasvegasraiders","14":"tag-nfl","15":"tag-raiders"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116265679823679067","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/824665","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=824665"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/824665\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/824666"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=824665"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=824665"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=824665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}