Silver And Black Pride

Achane was a 2026 Pro Bowl breakout performer and signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension. His stated goal is the NFL rushing title, which the source believes is reachable this season given how much of Miami's offense should run through him. The Dolphins have high expectations for the offensive line, and Achane should benefit from read-option plays with Willis, which will force defenses to hesitate and create running lanes. Additionally, Slowik should use Achane as a passing threat in the slot receiver role, giving him a decent percentage of touches through the air.

Willis gets a starting QB opportunity after two years backing up Jordan Love in Green Bay. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik will run a Shanahan-style West Coast offense with Mike McDaniel scheme elements, toned down with less emphasis on speed and motion packages. Willis can take deeper shots and use power on throws better than Tua Tagovailoa; the source expects read-option and designed QB runs to enter Miami's offense, leveraging Willis's rushing ability while maintaining rhythm-based passing game principles.

Washington Jr. is not a receiving specialist; the third-year pro made limited plays as a receiver during preseason, which could open the door for Laube to see more third-down passing game opportunities if the Raiders want to manage Jeanty's ankle injury early in the season.

Laube accumulated 882 total yards on kick and punt returns last season, suggesting a 1,000-yard benchmark is more realistic than the 500-yard projection for his combined role; while increased offensive opportunities could reduce return game reps, the source anticipates expanded passing game usage, particularly on third downs if the coaching staff seeks to manage Jeanty's ankle injury early in the season.

Rookie QB and future of the franchise; Brock Bowers prioritizes keeping experienced left tackle Kolton Miller to protect Mendoza's blind side during his rookie season rather than trading Miller for draft capital. Brock Bowers is not comfortable trusting a player who has barely played in the NFL (like Charles Grant) to protect Mendoza during his rookie year, emphasizing that keeping Mendoza healthy is more important than picking up draft capital that cannot be used until the spring.

Potential practice squad call-up for tight end depth if Connor Heyward is not used extensively in the passing game. Brock Bowers notes Myarick has not done much in his NFL career but has been around for seven years, making him a veteran option if the team needs additional tight end depth beyond Mayer, Thomas, and Heyward.

Sprained ankle; Brock Bowers recommends not shutting him down if he is healthy and not at risk of long-term problems. Unlike meniscus or ACL injuries, a sprained ankle is not as much of a long-term issue, so Brock Bowers advises letting Jeanty get reps to develop without rushing him back prematurely.

Brock Bowers believes Cousins will remain with the Raiders despite speculation about potential trades. While Cousins was mentioned alongside other potential trade candidates (Crosby, Miller, Koonce, O'Connell), Brock Bowers explicitly states Cousins stays with the team.

Expected to be on the trade block. Brock Bowers previously touched on O'Connell in a related article and confirms he will be available for trade, contrasting with Kirk Cousins, whom Brock Bowers believes will stay with the team.

Must step up and prove he can be a go-to receiver with Bowers sidelined. Tucker is in the final season of his rookie deal, making this a critical year for his contract negotiations and future with the team. Brock Bowers notes it will take more than one player to replace what Bowers brings to the table, but Tucker is positioned to benefit from increased target opportunities.

Positioned as TE3 or potential second tight end option with Bowers out. Brock Bowers expects Heyward to be deployed similarly to how Kyle Shanahan uses Kyle Juszczyk in San Francisco—as an in-line tight end in 21 personnel packages to run 12 personnel formations. Heyward played both tight end and fullback at Michigan State and was used in-line during his first couple of seasons with Pittsburgh Steelers, giving him similar traits to Juszczyk. Brock Bowers notes Heyward has diverse skill set and could see increased passing game usage compared to blocker-type Ian Thomas, potentially eliminating the need for a practice squad call-up.

Expected to become TE2 with Bowers out. Brock Bowers confirms Thomas is the correct choice for the second tight end role, noting he is more of a blocker-type tight end compared to Connor Heyward, who may see more passing game usage.

Ascending to TE1 with Bowers sidelined; signed three-year, $45 million contract extension before the injury news. Brock Bowers states Mayer must now hold up his end of the bargain and produce, with a perfect opportunity to prove himself with the starter on the depth chart out. However, Brock Bowers does not expect Mayer to replicate Bowers' unicorn skill set; Mayer is taller, thicker, and more physical, while Bowers is lighter, more agile, and a superior separator. Mayer will likely be used more in-line rather than split wide, but should benefit from increased target opportunities as the passing game redistributes without Bowers.

Undergoing meniscus trim on Tuesday ahead of Week 1 vs. Dolphins; sidelined for the matchup. Brock Bowers recommends shelving him and potentially placing on IR (designated to return) before Week 1 to protect long-term knee health, noting meniscus issues can lead to complications with other ligaments; Bowers already suffered a PCL injury in the same knee last year, suggesting possible connection between the two injuries.

With Michael Mayer now extended, the Raiders may consider extending wide receiver Tre Tucker, who was not expected to be part of the 2027 free agent class retention priorities. Tucker could be a candidate for a similar long-term commitment.

Bowers is currently out with a knee injury. He is expected to become the highest-paid tight end in the NFL when eligible for an extension after the 2026 season, but the injury sidelines him for the current campaign.

Mayer has shown inconsistency despite the significant contract extension. He has 83 career receptions with a high of 35 last season, suggesting production volatility. The Raiders believe he will elevate his game under Kubiak, but consistency remains a concern.

Mayer is the starting tight end for the Raiders in 2026, with Brock Bowers currently sidelined by a knee injury. The Raiders envision a future featuring both Bowers and Mayer in Klint Kubiak's offense.

Mayer signed a 3-year, $45M extension with $30M guaranteed, making $15M APY which ranks 4th among current TE contracts. This is the highest three-year contract for a tight end ever and represents a clear Raiders commitment to the position under Klint Kubiak's offense.

The source expresses skepticism about Malik Willis's performance as the Dolphins' starting QB in Week 1, stating "I'm not sold on Malik Willis" and suggesting the Raiders may be further along in their rebuilding process, implying Willis and Miami's offense present a weaker competitive threat.

Fourth-round (122nd overall) 2026 draft pick from Arkansas positioned as backup RB capable of mitigating Jeanty's absence if needed; physical profile: 6-foot-2, 228 pounds with 4.33-second 40-yard dash; preseason production: 168 rushing yards on 23 carries (7.3 yards per carry); has requisite size, speed, and willingness to operate as receiver and pass protector in Kubiak's system; offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko praised his competitiveness and work ethic during training camp.

Elite tight end underwent meniscus trim procedure Tuesday in Dallas after knee injury sustained during late-week practice; expected to miss 1-2 games; former NFL safety Su'a Cravens cited as example of longer recovery timeline for meniscus injuries, suggesting potential for extended absence beyond initial 1-2 game estimate; loss described as significant blow to Raiders offense.

Rookie season production: 975 rushing yards with 5 TDs and 346 receiving yards with 5 TDs across 17-game starter role; expected to replicate or exceed this output in Year 2 if ankle injury does not limit snap counts or usage; any snap count limitations or cautious approach by Raiders could alter offensive strategy and reduce Jeanty's fantasy ceiling.

Under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Jeanty expected to function as all-around weapon and centerpiece in run-heavy system; critical value as safety valve for Kirk Cousins on check downs and pass protector in backfield; system heavily predicated on ground game requiring productive run game to open up rest of playbook, with Jeanty's ability to plant, explode, and make sharp cuts vital to both ground and air attack.

Jeanty cleared for Week 1 after right ankle injury sustained August 23 during preseason practice; no noticeable limp or wrapping observed during Wednesday/Thursday practice sessions, demonstrating full burst and cutting ability; listed as full participant on injury report heading into season-opening matchup against Miami Dolphins.

Ian Thomas will fill the tight end role alongside Michael Mayer with Brock Bowers out due to knee surgery, providing a starting opportunity in Week 1.

Michael Mayer will fill the tight end role alongside Ian Thomas with Brock Bowers out due to knee surgery, providing a starting opportunity in Week 1.

Superstar tight end Brock Bowers is the only player on Las Vegas' 53-man roster who won't play Sunday; he is reportedly out 1-2 weeks (an estimate) after having knee surgery this week. Coach Kubiak would not discuss Bowers' injury timeline but said he should be back soon.

Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be the No. 2 quarterback behind Kirk Cousins. The Raiders feel strongly about where Mendoza is in his development and are confident he can play if needed, as evidenced by Aidan O'Connell being relegated to No. 3.

The fourth-round pick from Arkansas was a standout in the preseason and in training camp and will share the running-back load with Ashton Jeanty in the Week 1 season opener.

Jeanty will share the running-back load with rookie Mike Washington, the fourth-round pick from Arkansas who was a standout in the preseason and in training camp.

The No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 draft practiced fully all week and indicated Thursday he feels ready to go for the Week 1 season opener against Miami Dolphins. Jeanty didn't practice until this week after he injured his ankle August 23 in practice; initially the team was concerned the injury was serious, but he is now primed to start the season opener.

Michael Mayer is a free agent after this season, and his performance during Brock Bowers' absence will be closely monitored by the Raiders and around the league as a key indicator of his future contract value and earning potential. Despite being a 2023 second-round pick who the Raiders traded up to acquire, Mayer has failed to produce consistently and has not yet lived up to his much-hyped Notre Dame prospect expectations, making this opportunity critical for his career trajectory.

Michael Mayer is thrust into the starting tight end role for the Raiders due to Brock Bowers' knee surgery absence. Mayer has prior starting experience, having started four games with Bowers out last season, recording 18 catches on 24 targets in those four games, establishing a baseline for expected target volume during this opportunity.

Raiders' star tight end Brock Bowers underwent knee surgery this week and will be out at least 1-2 games, creating a significant opportunity window for backup tight end Michael Mayer to prove himself in the starting role.

The Raiders will likely be giving Bowers a massive new deal next year, which is cited as a salary cap constraint that makes acquiring Justin Jefferson prohibitively expensive. Bowers' upcoming contract is part of the team's long-term financial commitments that limit their ability to absorb Jefferson's $140 million deal.

CBS Sports proposed trading Jefferson to the Raiders for a first and third round pick; Jefferson is 28 years old and plays on a four-year, $140 million contract through 2028. Any trade would require an adjusted contract for the new team. The source notes the deal would be expensive in both compensation to Minnesota and salary cap impact, with Raiders community members largely opposing the trade due to the high cost and preference to build through the draft.

The Athletic is expecting a lot from Raiders' rookie running back Mike Washington, signaling prospect upside and early organizational confidence in the first-year back.

Malik Willis is the brand-new starting quarterback for the Dolphins in head coach Jeff Hafley's debut. Willis marks the third major import from the Green Bay Packers alongside general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Hafley, leading Miami's offense in a rebuilding season.

De'Von Achane is identified as a must-account-for player for the Raiders in Week 1 against the Dolphins. As Miami's running back, Achane represents a key offensive threat that Las Vegas must prepare for in the season-opening matchup.