Free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft have come and gone, with the Las Vegas Raiders not making a move for a wideout who can potentially be their No. 1 go-to guy on offense.
The Raiders did sign Jalen Nailor in free agency, but he could be a No. 2 guy as the wide receiver seeks a bigger role after being the No. 3 with the Minnesota Vikings. Nonetheless, could Las Vegas still decide to look at receiver options via trade or free agency before the 2026 NFL season?
One player whose future is uncertain is San Francisco 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk, who many expect to be released, but it appears the Niners are holding out for a trade. As a result, ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes believes that the Silver and Black would be a fit for Aiyuk.
“I’ll throw out one that really needs to add a receiver: The Las Vegas Raiders,” Kimes said on the April 27 edition of “NFL Live.” “It’s tough because I really like the players that they chose in the draft after Mendoza, but I’m also disappointed that they didn’t add pass-catching help for the young quarterback. Right now, you’re looking at a group: Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, who they added in free agency, and they also have Jack Bech, who they drafted last year.”
Raiders Lack WR That Matches Fernando Mendoza’s Skill
Moreover, Kimes noted that no Raiders player currently matches Mendoza’s passing skill set, which should make the pursuit of a wideout more pressing unless the front office decides to address that position next offseason.
“When you think about Mendoza and his skill set and his preference, he throws the ball, those beautiful back-shoulder balls and the outs,“ Kimes added.
“It doesn’t feel to me like there’s a receiver on the roster who really matches up well with that. I understand the offense is going to be a Kubiak offense, very under center, throw over the middle of the field, play-action, all that. So I would be on the phone and gauge interest.”
49ers Are Holding Out for a Brandon Aiyuk Trade
Despite Aiyuk’s time with the Niners probably being over, the 49ers aren’t handing him over to any team. The team’s general manager, John Lynch, made clear the team has no intention of doing Aiyuk any favors and is holding out for a trade.
“No new update right now,“ Lynch said on April 25 (h/t Pro Football Talk). “We’re available. Give us a call.”
Aiyuk hasn’t appeared in a game since Oct. 20, 2024, when he suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee. After the injury, his relationship with the team deteriorated, and by November, the 49ers had voided his guaranteed money, citing his refusal to rehab at the team facility.
“He’s an extremely talented player,“ Lynch added. “He’s been an extremely effective player in our league. The situation didn’t work itself out here. That’s not to say that it can’t be rekindled somewhere else. And we’d be happy to do something with anyone, if the opportunity presented itself.”
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