ESPN’s Ryan McFadden believes rookie RB Mike Washington Jr. is in “prime position” to win Vegas’ No. 2 RB job. McFadden points to a thin depth chart and HC Klint Kubiak’s preference for a two-RB system as positives for the rookie.

Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza said he has a “long way to go” in his adjustment to playing under center. He took only 3% of his snaps under center at Indiana last season, per ESPN.

The Raiders signed undrafted free agent RB Roman Hemby. Hemby broke out as a sophomore at Maryland, rushing 188 times for 989 yards and 10 TDs. He caught 33 passes that year, the first of three straight seasons with 30+ receptions. His receiving output dipped to 17 grabs for 165 yards at Indiana in 2025. But he paired with Kaelon Black to form one of the nation’s best backfield tandems. Hemby tallied career highs in carries (230) and rushing yards (1,120). Among the 20 RBs invited to the NFL Combine, Hemby ranked 16th in 2025 rushing market share (31.2%), and 11th in yards after contact per attempt (3.36). He ranked 18th in 2025 missed tackles forced per attempt (0.16) and ninth in receiving yards per route run (0.95). He is currently 23 years old.

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Oregon WR Malik Benson in Round 6 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Benson starred for two seasons at Hutchinson Community College and left as the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards (2,152). That breakout caught Nick Saban’s eye and earned him a transfer to Alabama. But the jump in competition crushed the production. Benson wound up seventh on the Tide in catches (13) and sixth in receiving yards (162). A 2024 move to Florida State found only marginal improvement (25-311-1), due at least in part to poor QB play. Benson bounced back this past season at Oregon, leading the team with 719 receiving yards and finishing second to TE Kenyon Sadiq with 43 catches and 6 TDs. His 2.60 yards per route ranked seventh among the 49 WRs invited to this year’s Combine. Benson averaged 16.7 yards per catch for the Ducks and confirmed that big-play ability with a 4.37-second 40 time at the Combine. He’s undersized at 189 pounds, though, and enters the NFL as an unrefined 23-year-old.

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Arkansas RB Mike Washington Jr. in Round 4 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Washington spent three seasons at Buffalo before making one-year stops at New Mexico State and Arkansas. He didn’t truly level up until this past fall in Fayetteville. The 6’1, 223-pounder ripped off 6.4 yards per rush and set career highs in carries (167), yards (1,070), and receptions (28). He also posted a sturdy 3.86 yards after contact per attempt, per PFF. Among the 20 RBs invited to the NFL Combine, Washington ranked eighth in 2025 rushing market share (46.3%), and fourth in yards after contact per attempt (3.86). He ranked 13th in 2025 missed tackles forced per attempt (0.20) and eighth in receiving yards per route run (0.99). He is currently 23 years old.

The Raiders selected QB Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza opened his college career at Cal where he ascended from the No. 3 QB to starter in 2023, completing 63% of his passes for the season, with 1,708 yards, 14 TDs, and 10 INTs. He also ran for 98 yards and 2 TDs. He flashed NFL upside in 2023 as the starter despite taking 41 sacks, second most in the FBS. Mendoza transferred to Indiana over his hometown Miami Hurricanes, joining a program that entered 2025 chasing a title after a first-round playoff loss in 2024. Mendoza finished with 3,535 passing yards, 41 TDs, and 6 INTs for the season, adding 276 yards and 7 TDs on the ground. He won the Heisman and led the Hoosiers to a national championship. Mendoza ranked second among Combine QBs in adjusted completion percentage in 2025 (79%).

QB Kirk Cousins agreed to a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders per his agent. With only QB Aidan O'Connell currently on the roster, the Raiders plan to draft QB Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. But, HC Klint Kubiak expressed interest in signing a veteran QB to not force Mendoza into the lineup for Week 1. Kubiak coached Cousins for three seasons in Minnesota, so the fit should be easy into Kubiak's offense. Cousins appears to be the perfect fit to start the season and let Mendoza ease into the NFL. Cousins should be the favorite to start Week 1.

The Raiders announced Tuesday that the Ravens have canceled the Maxx Crosby trade. ESPN reports that Baltimore rescinded its offer because of "medical concerns that arose during a physical."

The Raiders and C Tyler Linderbaum agreed to a three-year, $81 million deal with $60 million guaranteed on the first day of free agency. It makes Linderbaum the highest-paid interior lineman in NFL history. His $27 million average annual salary is $9 million more than any other center.

The Raiders on Monday agreed to terms with a pair of free-agent LBs. First came former Eagles LB Nakobe Dean on a three-year, $30 million deal that includes $20 million in guarantees, according to multiple reports. Shortly after that came word that Vegas is adding former Packers LB Quay Walker. NFL Network reports tht he'll get $40.5 million over three years, with $28 million of that guaranteed.

The Baltimore Ravens are acquiring five-time Pro Bowl DE Maxx Crosby from the Raiders for 2026 and 2027 first-round picks. The deal becomes official once Crosby passes a physical at the start of the new league year on March 11. It’s the first time in Baltimore’s 31-year history that the team has traded a first-round pick for a veteran player. Crosby immediately boosts a Ravens' defense that fell to 24th in yards allowed (354.5) last season.

Arkansas RB Mike Washington flaunted a rare combination of size and speed at the Combine. After tipping the scales at 223 pounds, he blazed a 4.33-second 40-yard dash. That earned Washington a 126.9 Speed Score, which lands in the 100th percentile at his position. That, of course, doesn't guarantee Washington success in the NFL. But Speed Score is one of the most predictive metrics we have for incoming RBs. And there's plenty to like on Washington's tape. Although he didn't truly break out until his fifth and final college season, Washington piled up 1,070 rushing yards on 6.4 yards per carry this past year. He ranked fifth among 27 of this year's top RB prospects in both yards after contact per attempt (3.86) and rate of runs to go for 15+ yards (18.0%). Washington also caught 28 balls last season. He could now in the mix to be the third RB off the board in the NFL Draft. And, depending on landing spot, Washington could be an early-second-round or late-first-round target in dynasty rookie drafts. He's also been a strong value in early best-ball drafts, although expect his price to rise after this Combine performance.

The Falcons have told QB Kirk Cousins that they'll release him at the beginning of the 2026 league year, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic.

New Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak elevated defensive line coach Rob Leonard to defensive coordinator. Leonard also served as defensive run game coordinator last season and now replaces Paul Guenther, who was dismissed in December. Leonard has coached the Raiders’ defensive line for three seasons and previously worked with the Giants, Dolphins, and Ravens.

Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak intends to work on a deal to become the Raiders’ next head coach after the Super Bowl. Kubiak was the OC for the Saints before heading to the Seahawks. He will now inherit an offense with key young weapons in RB Ashton Jeanty, TE Brock Bowers, and likely QB Fernando Mendoza as the top pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Las Vegas Raiders have fired HC Pete Carroll after on season as the head coach. The 2025 Raiders season was disastrous, with the team going 3-14. Tom Brady is expected to be a major factor in the search for a new head coach.

Raiders WR Jack Bech (back) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Giants. RB Ashton Jeanty, WR Tre Tucker, and TE Michael Mayer should be the engines of Vegas’ passing game in this one.

The Raiders are officially placing Edge Maxx Crosby on IR, and he's expected to have surgery on the left knee he injured earlier this season. The procedure's expected to be minor and shouldn't affect his 2026 readiness.

Raiders WR Jack Bech was added to the injury report and limited in practice on Friday with a back issue. He's listed as questionable for this weekend's game vs. the Giants. Even with TE Brock Bowers out, Bech shouldn't be in your Week 17 fantasy plans. The rookie hasn't topped 50 yards in a game all season.

Fox's Jay Glazer reports that the Raiders plan to shut Edge Maxx Crosby down for the season's final two games. Crosby -- who has been playing through at least a knee injury for a while -- reportedly does not like the team's decision.