The Las Vegas Raiders face a critical need to strengthen their offensive line as they prepare to draft a franchise quarterback with the first overall pick at the 2026 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. The Raiders’ offensive line has long been a vulnerability, most notably last season when they allowed a staggering 64 sacks, ranked last in rushing yards, and failed to score rushing touchdowns. Protecting their new quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, is a top priority as the team aims to avoid another disastrous season.
This challenge is not merely metaphorical; it is a pressing problem demanding immediate and effective solutions to safeguard Mendoza’s potential success and the overall offense.
Kolton Miller Remains the Raiders’ Offensive Line Backbone
Kolton Miller stands out as the Raiders’ only reliable offensive lineman, at least when healthy. Before suffering an ankle injury in September 2025, Miller allowed only five pressures in four games, a stark contrast to the 88 pressures allowed collectively by the rest of the Raiders’ tackles. His performance at left tackle has been consistently strong, and he is expected to return in 2026 as a key member of the offensive line.
Beyond Miller, the Raiders’ offensive line remains unsettled and in flux.
From our Scouting Combine coverage on @NFLNetwork: The future of #Raiders edge Maxx Crosby has been a hot topic this week in Indy. pic.twitter.com/0IKyoYUXd1— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 26, 2026
Jackson Powers-Johnson, despite his talent, struggled with constant position changes last season under former coach Pete Carroll, shifting between guard and center due to injuries. New head coach Klint Kubiak and offensive line coach Rick Dennison value Powers-Johnson’s versatility but have not fixed his starting role. DJ Glaze led the NFL in blown blocks last year, particularly in pass protection, signaling persistent protection issues that will not disappear simply with coaching changes. Young players like Charles Grant and Caleb Rogers showed potential but remain unproven.
Kubiak described the offensive line situation as a work in progress, reflecting the substantial rebuilding needed.
Klint Kubiak’s Wide Zone Scheme Demands Agile Linemen
At Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, offensive linemen will undergo critical evaluations, with the Raiders having extra reason to scrutinize prospects. Kubiak plans to implement a wide zone blocking scheme, emphasizing linemen who are not only large but also athletic enough to move laterally, reach second-level defenders, and block in open space. This approach contrasts with pure power schemes and necessitates linemen capable of pulling, adjusting, and executing complex blocks.
The 2026 draft class offers depth, especially in later rounds where the Raiders are scheduled to make multiple picks. Identifying linemen suited for Kubiak’s system will be essential to improve protection for Mendoza and bolster the running game.
Gennings Dunker: Versatile Interior and Edge Prospect from Iowa
Among the prospects, Gennings Dunker stands out as a likely early Day 2 pick around the 33rd overall selection, the Raiders’ first pick after their franchise quarterback choice. At 6-foot-5 and 316 pounds, Dunker is noted for his physical style as a run blocker, relentless effort, and leadership qualities that earned attention at the Senior Bowl. Evaluated both at guard and tackle, his versatility provides the Raiders flexibility amid a thin and unsettled line.
Dunker’s athleticism may not be elite, but his 82.0 Pro Football Focus grade and consistent run-blocking tape suggest a solid starter. He aligns well with Kubiak’s preference for linemen who can drive defenders off the ball and execute in a zone scheme.
Monroe Freeling: Georgia’s First-Round Caliber Tackle Prospect
Unlike other names on this list, Monroe Freeling is viewed as a legitimate first-round talent, ranked in the top 15 overall by ESPN analyst Jordan Reid. Freeling’s stock has surged recently, raising the probability that he may be out of the Raiders’ reach by their early second-round pick. At 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds, he moves with the quickness of a much smaller player, showcasing advanced footwork, mirroring, and pass protection skills. Though the Raiders currently have a reliable left tackle in Miller, Freeling’s abilities project exceptionally well at right tackle, a position where the team has struggled, especially with DJ Glaze’s inconsistent play.
Freeling will be a key figure in Sunday’s offensive line workouts, drawing attention as a potential priority for teams in the late first round.
Blake Miller: Clemson’s Athletic Right Tackle with Positional Flexibility
Clemson’s Blake Miller is another intriguing option for the Raiders, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 315 pounds with four years of starting experience. His 83.5 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2025 highlights his effectiveness in protecting the quarterback. There is debate, however, whether Miller projects better as a tackle or a guard at the professional level; his size suggests guard but his athleticism favors tackle. Both options fit the Raiders’ needs.
Miller’s tape reveals a lineman adept at a zone-blocking system that prioritizes angles and footwork over raw strength, aligning perfectly with Kubiak’s offensive philosophy. His draft stock ranges from late first round to mid-second, making him an attractive candidate for Las Vegas.
Emmanuel Pregnon: Oregon’s Fierce Interior Lineman with High Motor
Emmanuel Pregnon from Oregon may not have received widespread attention, but he exemplifies the type of offensive lineman Kubiak values. Known for playing
“through the whistle to bury his assignments,”
Pregnon combines toughness and aggression with reliable run-blocking skills. Although his pass protection is still developing, his physicality and relentless effort make him a potential Day 2 pick, capable of providing much-needed interior depth for the Raiders.
Pregnon’s agility and positional drills at the NFL Combine will play a significant role in how his draft value evolves, especially in Kubiak’s wide zone scheme that requires nimble linemen who can disrupt defensive alignments and open lanes for running backs.
Fa’alili Fa’amoe: A Sleepers Pick from Wake Forest with Starting Potential
Fa’alili Fa’amoe represents a deep-value prospect who likely flew under the radar for many Raiders fans. At 6-foot-5 and 314 pounds, Fa’amoe brings considerable experience, mainly playing right tackle in the Pac-12 before transferring to Wake Forest. NFL scouts project him primarily as a guard due to his size and physicality, where he can excel without the need for the quick lateral movement required on the outside.
Selected as a probable second- or third-round pick, Fa’amoe has the potential to compete for a starting role or function as a versatile backup who can fill multiple spots along the interior line. His arm length and measurable results at the combine will influence perceptions of his suitability for tackle versus guard roles, but either way, he offers value to a Raiders team seeking to rebuild its line.
Protecting Fernando Mendoza: The Raiders’ Immediate Priority
With the offensive line concluding its drills last at the combine, the stakes could not be higher for the Raiders. Fernando Mendoza, their newly acquired quarterback, possesses talent, arm strength, and quick decision-making ability, but his success hinges on adequate protection. Every quarterback hit that disrupts rhythm or causes injury traces back to failures in blocking.
The Raiders are painfully familiar with this narrative, having endured it throughout last season. Their draft and free-agency strategies must target top offensive linemen capable of fitting Kubiak’s wide zone scheme and addressing critical weaknesses. How the Raiders prioritize these prospects at the NFL Combine and draft will influence Mendoza’s ability to thrive and the team’s overall trajectory in the coming seasons.
From our Scouting Combine coverage on @NFLNetwork: The future of #Raiders edge Maxx Crosby has been a hot topic this week in Indy. pic.twitter.com/0IKyoYUXd1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 26, 2026
