Klint Kubiak doubling down on unique take regarding confusing position group partially revealed what the Raiders may do in the draft
The Las Vegas Raiders need to take an offensive tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the question is when they will do it. They have 11 draft picks to work with, several of them early on Day 3.
Early in the Las Vegas Raiders‘ offseason, head coach Klint Kubiak made a statement that fans questioned about the offensive line—and he’s standing by it.
“Obviously, there is some stability at both tackle spots,” Kubiak told reporters back at the NFL Combine. “You have some young picks in JPJ (Jackson Powers-Johnson) and Caleb (Rogers). It’s a work in progress, still learning all of the guys, still kind of catching up on last season with what they have done. What I do know is that we will have a clear teaching style. I’ve seen Rick Dennison get the best out of his guys. The main thing is that we get them all playing together, and that comes with teaching our system. I do like the guys that we have.”
Kubiak doubles down on statement regarding offensive tackle
Despite Kubiak’s confidence, last season, this was one of the worst offensive lines in football. Starting right tackle DJ Glaze led the league in Blown Blocks, per Sports Info Solutions, with 54 total. Given these struggles, fans expected a new right tackle to arrive via free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft. However, that did not happen in free agency, and signs indicate it may not happen in the draft either.
While it’s not out of the question, if they do draft a tackle, it would be later, especially since Kubiak has reaffirmed his previous stance.
“I’m really excited about those guys,” Kubiak said at the NFL Owners Meetings. “Kolton [Miller] is going to get healthy here and be ready, hopefully, by veteran minicamp. I think DJ [Glaze] is a really good young player. You know, we’re developing Charles [Grant]. So, I think we got three guys that can play.”
Unless this is a smokescreen, this is quite literally Kubiak saying that they won’t draft a tackle high in the draft. He likes the stability, and once you draft a tackle high, one that will be the new starter, you kind of end that stability. Now, they do need some depth, so I do imagine they will use a Day 3 pick in the draft to grab at least one tackle. If that tackle wins the starting job in training camp, then that’s a whole other conversation.
Glaze remains the likely starter for now. When asked how Glaze should improve, Kubiak gave a broad answer.
“Well, probably like everybody, especially on the offense, is just buy into this new system and just get familiar with it so that they can go play fast on Sunday. And that’s our job as coaches.”
Although the Raiders need improvement on the offensive line, Kubiak’s position makes clear that changes may not involve acquiring a new starting tackle this offseason.
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