At the 2026 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders decided not to use a Day 2 pick on a wideout or trade back into the first round to draft a wide receiver. The Silver and Black did use a sixth-round pick to select former Oregon Ducks wideout Malik Benson.
Nonetheless, could the Raiders look at the veteran wideout market to improve the group before the 2026 NFL season? Moreover, if Las Vegas goes with Kirk Cousins to start the campaign, might they want to add a wide receiver with a past connection to him?
In an April 29 article, CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles stated that the best free agent fit is Stefon Diggs, who played with Cousins while with the Minnesota Vikings.
“Diggs showed last year he can still really play, even if his snap share was way down,” Pereles wrote. “A talented separator who snatches the ball with hands like glue, Diggs would really help a Raiders wide receiver group bereft of his skill set and bereft of experience. The youngsters could play a lot, but Diggs could still see planty of work on crucial downs.”
Last season with the New England Patriots, Diggs turned in an 87.5 overall PFF grade, placing him sixth among 81 qualifying wide receivers. His 87.5 receiving grade ranked seventh in that same group.
He finished with 85 catches on 100 targets for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 11.9 yards per reception. He added 363 yards after the catch, was credited with two drops, and had an average depth of target of 8.7 yards.
Raiders GM Doesn’t Hold Back on WR Group
While there could be speculation linking the Raiders to a veteran wideout, the team’s general manager, John Spytek, is high on their current group. Over the offseason, Las Vegas signed Jalen Nailor to go along with Tre Tucker.
Moreover, the Silver and Black are hoping Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr. take a major step in their development in Season 2.
“I like our receiver room,” Spytek said on the April 29 edition of “Up & Adams.” “I think probably people are going to roll their eyes. Everybody loves receivers. This is a question I get from my kids, ‘Dad, like can we have 15 receivers on the roster?‘
“We live in the fantasy football world — receiver, receiver, receiver. I value receivers, I do. I really do. But I love Tre Tucker, and he’s a good player. And we’re excited about Jalen Nailor, and we drafted Jack Bech in the second last year. We have belief in Jack.
“We drafted Dont’e Thornton in the fourth last year; we believe in him. I’m excited with Malik Benson. We’re not going to force anything. We have a very thorough evaluation of every player at every position and it never goes the way you want it to go, Kay.”
Ashton Jeanty Gets Blunt About Mike Washington Jr.
Meanwhile, on the ground, the Raiders have an exciting one-two punch. On April 28, Ashton Jeanty shared his thoughts on fourth-round pick Mike Washington Jr. coming in to help him with the workload this upcoming 2026 NFL season.
“I feel good about Mike Washington,“ Jeanty said during a livestream on his YouTube channel. “I think our run styles will definitely complement each other. I’m excited for when he gets in the building. We can build this rushing attack and do something special.”
Raiders Land Strong Free Agent Message Regarding Stefon Diggs