Raiders 3 most improved position groups heading into 2026

The rebuild has begun in Las Vegas. Raiders GM John Spytek used 2025 as a bridge year to get here and with plenty of money to spend and high draft picks to use, he went about the task of trying to make a competitive squad.

>As you might expect, most every position has seen some kind of upgrade from the 3-14 team the Raiders fielded last sesaon. But some upgrades are more pronounced than others. These are my top three.

1. Quarterback2025 starters: Geno Smith, Kenny Pickett

>2026 roster: Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza

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>Geno Smith and his league-leading 17 interceptions were traded to the Jets, while Pickett was allowed to leave in free agency. Kirk Cousins was signed in free agency and is an immediate upgrade to Smith. While Mendoza is the future franchise QB they selected with the number one overall pick. The position is not just in far better position than last season, it's in possible the best hands it's been in in a decade.

2. Offensive line2025 starters: LT Stone Forsythe, LG Dylan Parham, C Jordan Meredith, RG Jackson Powers-Johnson, RT DJ Glaze

>2026 roster: LT Kolton Miller, LG Spencer Burford, C Tyler Linderbaum, RG Jackson Powers-Johnson, RT DJ Glaze

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>At least three of the team's starters will be different than the bulk of last season. And with better depth, there is potential for a complete overhaul. Miller was already on the team, but lost to injury in week four. Linderbaum was the team's big free agent addition. The three-time Pro Bowler gives the Raiders their best center since Rodney Hudson. Depth includes third round rookie Trey Kuhn III and second-year third round picks Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant.

>The unsung hero of this group is the change at offensive line coach, with Brenden Carroll replaced by longtime OL coach Rick Dennison.

3. Linebacker2025 starters: Elandon Roberts, Devin White

>2026 roster: Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker

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>Last season was a downgrade for the Raiders linebacker spot. Gone was Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo, replaced by castoffs Elandon Roberts and Devin White with over-the-hill former safety Jamal Adams. That was never supposed to be a long term group. They came in on one-year deals and, as of this writing, none have found new homes.

>Dean and Walker, on the other hand, both signed multi-year deals as young, proven starters. The former Georgia teammates actually give the Raiders a serious linebacker duo. The depth behind them is a bit suspect, however, with former late round linebackers Tommy Eichenberg and Cody Lindenberg as the leading candidates to step up if called upon.

>This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders 3 most improved position groups heading into 2026