The Las Vegas Raiders are earning high marks for their 2026 draft class, but they failed to address a key need early. Wide receiver was widely expected to be the target in the second round.
Instead, the Raiders went safety and selected Treydan Stukes. The team did pick up a wide receiver in the sixth round, but Malik Benson likely won’t move the needle as a rookie.
Las Vegas has done plenty to set up rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza for success, but they haven’t given him a strong wide receiver room. The Raiders currently lack a big X receiver. It’s a role that can essentially be filled by star tight end Brock Bowers, but the team also wants him lining up at tight end.
With the draft over, the Raiders can now look to free agency to fill any needs. The one wide receiver who might make the most sense is former San Francisco 49ers pass catcher Jauan Jennings. He was not expecting to be stuck in free agency this long, but he should see renewed interest after the draft.
NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal thinks the Raiders are among the best fits for Jennings.
“Jauan Jennings is going to sign eventually. Would be a great fit for Raiders, Vikings, Rams or Commanders,” Rosenthal wrote on X.
Why Jennings Could Make Sense For Raiders
Jennings clearly believes that his value exceeds how NFL teams have been valuing him. He has been trying to get a contract for a couple of years now, but it hasn’t happened. Jennings is a good wide receiver, but he’s not a star.
His career high came in 2024 when he had 77 catches for 975 yards. Other than that year, he hasn’t had more than 643 receiving yards in a season. If the price is right, the Raiders should be interested.
At 6-foot-3, Jennings is the type of X receiver the Raiders need. Plus, as a veteran, he should be a reliable target for Mendoza. That’s not to mention that he previously worked with head coach Klint Kubiak when they were both in San Francisco.
For him, it makes a ton of sense. He gets to go to arguably the weakest wide receiver room in the NFL and play in a system he knows. The chance for him to put up big numbers this season would be high. Jennings to Las Vegas is a logical move for both sides.
Benson Could Be Effective Deep Threat
Benson has a chance to be a good NFL player, but his skill set is a bit redundant to Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor. The Athletic’s Sam Warren likes Benson’s speed, but questions if he has the necessary size to be an impact player.
“A deep-ball weapon, Benson is a fleet-of-foot athlete who can really fly once he opens up on downfield patterns (caught 11 of 17 targets of 20-plus yards in 2025),” Warren wrote. “He can loosen coverage with the threat of his speed, but lacks the rhythm and efficiency to easily separate at the top of routes. He extends well to pull the ball in, although his lack of desired size and strength will be tough to mask in NFL traffic.”
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