Silver And Black Pride
We’re at the beginning of the Las Vegas Raiders’ summer break before training camp, so we don’t have as many questions to dive into for this week’s mailbag. But we do have a handful of people who are curious about the Raiders’ roster, so let’s get to it!
Q: Are the Raiders going to get a true No. 1 receiver before training camp or stick with what they have?
A: It wouldn’t surprise me if John Spytek signed (or at least explored) adding a wide receiver over the next few weeks, but I lean toward Spytek and Co. sticking with the guys they have. I get the sense that the goal for this year is to give guys like Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, Dont’e Thornton Jr., Malik Benson, etc., a chance to prove themselves rather than bringing in a veteran on a short-term contract.
With Tucker, he’s entering a contract year, so the front office might want to see what he does in a “No. 1 wide receiver” type of role (or something close to it) to help determine how big a priority it should be to re-sign him in the offseason. And the other guys named are just young and haven’t done anything in the league, yet.
Of course, Jalen Nailor factors into the equation, too. But Nailor is under contract for three years, and I’d be pretty surprised if the Raiders think he’s a legitimate No. 1 option. In other words, I think the organization knows what it has in the free-agent signing, so Nailor isn’t under the “let’s see what this guy’s got” umbrella.
Also, I’d find it hard to believe that any wide receiver who is good enough to be a No. 1 would be willing to play in Las Vegas this season. Most of the wideouts who are still available and fit into that category are older and likely ring chasing. As we know, the Raiders aren’t exactly Super Bowl favorites heading into the 2026 campaign.
Adding to that, there aren’t a ton of options left. Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs, Deebo Samuel and Keenan Allen are probably the top choices.
Hill has an injury concern after tearing up his knee last season, and his off-the-field issues would probably prompt Mark Davis to step in and nix any attempt at signing him. Samuel has a history with Klint Kubiak–Kubiak was the 49ers’ passing game coordinator in 2023–to make sense from a schematic standpoint. However, I wouldn’t consider Deebo a “No. 1 receiver” as much as a versatile weapon. Then there’s Allen, who has primarily been a slot guy and not nearly the athlete he used to be after turning 34 in April.
To me, Diggs would make the most sense from a fit standpoint. I’d just be surprised if he was willing to play for a team that’s rebuilding. But, if the 11-year veteran wants to catch passes from Fernando Mendoza and is willing to sign a multi-year contract, then go for it!
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