Entering the NFL Draft, one of the Las Vegas Raiders' biggest needs was at wide receiver. They selected a pass catcher – but not until the sixth round. While their draft has been praised, with good reason, the Raiders could not fill every need.
For a team that desperately needs an option for the future of quarterback Fernando Mendoza, waiting until pick No. 195 says a lot about where general manager Jon Spytek stands on the current roster. Let's take a look at where the room stands and who could emerge as the playmaker they'll need in 2026
Depth without a star: Breaking down the current receiver roster
The Raiders used second- and fourth-round picks on Jack Beech and Donte Thornton Jr. last year. The two combined for 30 receptions and 359 yards as rookies – not exactly eye-popping. In fact, both will feel extra pressure as they enter training camp later this summer.
Additionally, Trey Tucker led the team with 57 receptions for 696 yards and five touchdowns in 2024 — a modest stat line that is a baseline, not a ceiling, under new offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak. Tucker's speed is advantageous, but he hasn't done anything to establish himself as a primary receiver during his career, even in the slot.
Free agency additions filled the depth chart without solving a key problem. Jalen Naylor, who spent time with Kirk Cousins at Minnesota, averaged nearly 440 receiving yards with 10 combined touchdowns over the past two seasons as the fourth receiver behind Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and Jordan Addison. Not exactly WR1 type ability.
Derek Young, a special teams standout in Seattle, and veteran Phillip Dorsett — a Super Bowl champion who spent last season on Atlanta's practice squad and hasn't appeared in a regular season game in two years — round out the group. Cedric Jackson and Brandon Rice have the lowest NFL track records.
The room is versatile and well-rounded. It's not deep with proven pass catchers.
Also Read: Las Vegas Raiders Draft Recap: Getting to know the picks including Fernando Mendoza
There is no clear No. 1 in sight for the Raiders
No one has locked down the No. 1 spot yet and this is really an opportunity. The question is who steps up and runs Kubiak's offense through them.
The dominoes begin to fall at the training camp. Chemistry with Mendoza and Cousins, learning Kubiak's system, creating roles — it all gets sorted out between now and September.
Bech and Tucker are the likeliest candidates to lead the group, but don't expect them to look like they did in Chip Kelly's attack a year ago. The scheme is different, the quarterback is different and the opportunity in front of them is bigger.
Kubiak's offense thrives on versatility. Last season in Seattle, Smith-Njigba was the engine, lining up outside, in the slot and in the backfield and turning jet sweeps into chunk gains. He was everywhere, and defenses couldn't stop him.
The Raiders don't have Smith-Njigba. But Tucker plays a similar style: fast, playful and dangerous in space. This makes him the most natural fit for that role in Kubiak's system.
Without a true No. 1 receiver on the roster, Kubiak is betting on his current group for production. The blueprint is clear: Re-create Smith-Njigba's versatility and production, with the pieces already in the building.
Also read: Las Vegas Raiders' 2026 draft pick 'May never play football again'
Malik Benson brings versatility, special teams value
Malik Benson arrives in Las Vegas with legitimate production. He led Oregon with 43 catches for 716 yards and six touchdowns last season, lining up outside in the slot and turning touch passes into jet sweep gains — the exact type of versatility Kubiak is looking for.
Benson's calling card is speed – he ran the 100-meter dash in 10.4 seconds in high school and it shows on tape. He cleanly tracks the deep ball at full speed, forces defenses to respect his vertical presence and creates separation without relying on 50/50 balls.
At Oregon, his intermediate and deep route production took a significant jump, and his catch rate increased while drops nearly disappeared. He's not a short field weapon or run blocker, but in a system that wants to push the ball downfield, he can bend coverages in ways that benefit every receiver around him.
Benson will have opportunities not only on offense, but on special teams as well. He was the Ducks' punt returner last year. He had a breakout season as a punt returner, totaling nine returns for 161 yards, including an 85-yard punt return touchdown.
He is not coming in and taking charge. But after roster cuts, there will be four months of reps talking.
ALSO READ: Las Vegas Raiders 2026 NFL Draft recap: Best class in years, but the wide receiver room still needs an answer
