Key additions: QB Kirk Cousins, QB Fernando Mendoza, WR Jalen Nailor, C Tyler Linderbaum, G Spencer Burford
The Las Vegas Raiders offense can’t be worse than last year’s unit, which finished with the fewest points and yards.
Nonetheless, the Raiders should also see significant improvement on that side of the ball under new head coach Klint Kubiak, who called plays for the Seattle Seahawks’ third-ranked scoring offense last season.
According to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden, Cousins is expected to start over Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, which should be considered a positive for immediate improvement.
In his last four starts, Cousins threw for 876 yards, seven touchdowns and just two interceptions while leading the Atlanta Falcons to four consecutive wins.
To help Cousins and eventually Mendoza, the Raiders added Linderbaum, a three-time Pro Bowl center, and Burford, who’s familiar with Kubiak from his time with the San Francisco 49ers. If Burford earns the left guard job, lining up between Kolton Miller and Linderbaum could help him raise his level of play.
Las Vegas signed Nailor to a three-year, $35 million deal, an underrated move that could be viewed as a steal in hindsight. In Minnesota, he served as the No. 3 receiver behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The 27-year-old could lead the Raiders’ wide receiver corps in catches and receiving yards as a big-play complement to tight end Brock Bowers.
In a limited role, Nailor has averaged 15.4 yards per catch. If he commands a high number of targets, expect him to rack up career-high numbers by midseason.
Las Vegas may not be a playoff contender, but its offense will put defenders on their heels this year.