Grading the signing: Raiders grab the cheaper option of what most thought Vegas would go after
The Raiders nailed it with Nailor.
The Las Vegas Raiders opened Monday by reaching an agreement with Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum. Shortly after that, they locked in Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor on a three-year, $35 million deal with $23 million guaranteed.
Grading the Raiders’ signing of wide receiver Jalen Nailor
Grade: B+
The Raiders are hoping Nailor is a breakout player, with his first big-time season with Vegas. However, banking on that in the first year of a rebuild, with a rookie quarterback and a rebuilt offensive line, could backfire. Then again, there’s a chance that Nailor is just amazing. And, let’s be honest, he’s probably a cheaper version of what everyone thought Vegas would get in former New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed.
This move is a B+ because of those things, but also because it’s giving Mendoza another weapon, and as many as possible, before he’s ever even been drafted.
With these moves, it’s clear the Raiders are gearing up to draft Mendoza and surround him with talent. This approach gives them flexibility to pursue a WR1 in the 2026 NFL Draft, or they could see Nailor emerge as a breakout player.
As a sixth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Nailor became the WR3 in 2025, earning J.J. McCarthy’s trust in key situations. Over the past two seasons, he’s demonstrated reliability with his speed and route-running, while his blocking ability fits perfectly with Shanahan- and McVay-style offenses, which also means it could fit well in the Kubiak offense.
As a result of these moves, the Raiders’ wide receiver room before the draft and free agency is shaping up well. With Nailor, Jack Bech, Dont’e Thornton, Tre Tucker, and others potentially joining, plus elite tight end Brock Bowers, general manager John Spytek has made a strong signing. Mendoza won’t have a hard time finding someone to throw the ball to.
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