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The new and improved Las Vegas Raiders are ready for the upcoming season. It will be defined by the laundry list of moves they made in the weeks leading up to their season opener.
Below are grades for the Raiders’ most significant moves this offseason.
Signing Kirk Cousins
On paper, the addition of Cousins was nothing to write home about. Still, the Raiders did not add Cousinsto the roster, thinking he would take them on a Super Bowl run this season. On paper, the move was not a big deal, but it is a huge deal for the reasons Las Vegas signed him.
The Raiders needed a signal-caller to help Kubiak transition to the head coach, while buying time for their quarterback of the future. With this in mind, Cousins’ addition is better than it may seem.
Grade: C+
Adding Quay Walker/Nakobe Dean
Both of these players are an upgrade at their respective positions over what Las Vegas had at the position last season. Although they are uniquely talented, people will always view the moves in tandem for obvious reasons.
Dean’s injury history is naturally a concern, as is finding the most efficient way to use Walker while not overusing him. Assuming they stay healthy, both moves should work wonders for the Raiders’ defense.
Walker Grade: A
Dean Grade: B
Adding Tyler Linderbaum
Training camp and the preseason made it clear that adding Linderbaum would help the Raiders in more ways than one. Adding the veteran offensive lineman solidifies a significant piece of the puzzle for Las Vegas as they move into the future under Kubiak.
Linderbaum was one of the top free agents available this offseason. His addition was not only one of Las Vegas’ most significant moves of the offseason, but it was also one of the biggest signings any team made in free agency this offseason. Linderbaum has upgraded the line, but the unit needs more.
“We have a long way to go. Certainly, we’re excited with Tyler Linderbaum, and what he’s brought to that room from a leadership standpoint, a professional standpoint, but also a play standpoint,” John Spytek said.
“And like every position group, we’re just looking for constant improvement and embracing the coaching and understanding a new scheme. That’s hard for those guys to understand another new scheme.”
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Grade: A
Drafting Treydan Stukes
With Stukes slated to start the season, the Raiders are already set to maximize the value they found in the rookie defensive back. It was rightfully assumed that Stukes, while talented, was drafted to take over for veteran safety Isaiah Pola-Mao after this season, should Pola-Mao leave in free agency.
However, as the Raiders enter their Week 1 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas has Stukes starting at safety over Pola-Mao. Stukes has yet to play a single down in the regular season. He has to prove himself over the next 18 weeks, but so far, he has been a solid addition.
Grade: B/TBD
Drafting Fernando Mendoza
The Raiders entered the offseason with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, a desperate need for a quarterback to lead them into the future, and the reigning Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback waiting for them. Mendoza to Las Vegas was all but a formality, as he fit the team’s single-biggest need.
Mendoza saw action in the preseason, giving glimpses of what the future holds for him and the Raiders. Yet, he also showed room for improvement. Overall, the Raiders selecting anyone else would have been a head-scratching move. So far, Las Vegas’ front office likes what they have seen.
“There’s not much of what he does or is about that we couldn’t anticipate or really have known. I think he’s shown us what we learned about him and the information we gathered on him in the pre-draft process. He’s a tireless worker,” Spytek said.
“He loves football. He loves his teammates. He’s energetic on the field. He’s self-critical. He’s self-aware. He’s very accurate. His time is coming, but he’s got to earn it every day, and he knows that. I think we’re all very pleased with the person and his work ethic and his commitment to being a great quarterback.”
Grade: A/TBD
Today’s best reads
- Raiders Confirm Our Reports in Key Positional Decision
- Why Starting Cousins Is Raiders’ Right Call, Mendoza Wait Continues
- Why This Decision Raiders Made Was No-Brainer
- 4 Roster Decisions That Will Define Raiders’ 2026 Season
- Analyzing Where Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza Stands Entering Regular Season
This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/raiders/onsi as Grading Every Major Roster Decision Made by Raiders.
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This story was originally published September 9, 2026 at 5:00 AM.