The 2026 Raiders WR Room

[RunOverByHubbard]

Some here have argued for drafting a WR pretty high up and certain mock drafts have us taking one high up. Before we sewed up the #1 pick and when we were in the 4-7 ranges, mock drafts had us taking a WR. For me, because we have Bowers and Mayer, I think there is enough on the roster to work with and we should take a WR in the middle rounds at the highest. We have speed in Thornton and Tucker and I don't know much about the other speed-burner, Dorsett. Given our TEs, I would think we need a possession type guy but I don't know much about the guys here other than Bech who has those qualities. What do you think of the group and what should we do next?

Name, ht and wt, years a pro, college and 40 time:

Jack Bech 6-1 214 23 2 TCU 4.55 40
Phillip Dorsett II 5-10 185 33 9 Miami 4.33 40
Shedrick Jackson 6-1 198 26 1 Auburn 4.25 40
Jalen Nailor 6-0 190 27 5 Michigan State 4.5 40
Brenden Rice 6-3 210 23 2 USC 4.5 40
Justin Shorter 6-4 227 25 4 Florida 4.55 40
Dont'e Thornton Jr. 6-5 205 23 2 Tennessee 4.3 40
Tre Tucker 5-8 182 25 4 Cincinnati 4.40 40
Dareke Young 6-2 224 26 5 Lenoir Rhyne 4.44-4.47 40 time
(from 2025, Alex Bachman and Tyler Lockett are UFA's)

[mstrbass2000]

The two most recent dynasties are the Chiefs and Patriots. Combined they won 9 superbowls. Only one of those nine teams really had arguably a #1 WR, the Chiefs one season with Tyreek Hill. A TE was the best receiving weapon on most of those teams. The Patriots only #1 during all those years was Randy Moss but they didn't win any superbowls with him.

Ill take Bowers over a #1 WR any day as they actually are more difficult to scheme out of games.

really, you would take bowers over jsn/puka,chase,amon ra, you think bowers or the tight end position is harder to scheme out vs jsn,puka,chase,amon ra

[Oaktownonly]

bowers was schemed out of a lot of games last yr and we won how many games with bower as our wr1

Bowers being injured plus having Geno Smith as the QB. It wasn't scheme. Hell, having Geno as the QB alone took Bowers out of games.

[BoKnows81]

really, you would take bowers over jsn/puka,chase,amon ra, you think bowers or the tight end position is harder to scheme out vs jsn,puka,chase,amon ra

Where you finding a JSN, Puka, Chase or Amon in the 2nd round or later this year? Bowers will ALWAYS be our #1 target and rightfully so. Nobody is "scheming him out".

[mstrbass2000]

bowers was pick 13 rd 1
jsn pick 20 rd 1
amon ra rd 4
puka rd 5

you taking bower over any of these wr1's

[BoKnows81]

bowers was pick 13 rd 1
jsn pick 20 rd 1
amon ra rd 4
puka rd 5

you taking bower over any of these wr1's

Honestly? Yes.

[Rabidraider]

I keep wondering if Cooper is there at 36 do they go that route.

[mstrbass2000]

Honestly? Yes.

not me, id take all 4 of those stud wr (jsn,puka,amon,chase) over bowers everyday of the week but i commend you on being a true raiderfan

[chucker]

So we need a traditional #1 WR just like the non-traditional #1 WRs listed? The superpowers of the guys listed aren't that they are really big or fast - they're tough and smart. That's basically an argument against a guy like Chris Brazzell.

If Omar Cooper somehow fell to us (unlikely), I'd draft him because of the connection with Mendoza. Otherwise I'd probably pass on WR in the 2nd.

[mstrbass2000]

I keep wondering if Cooper is there at 36 do they go that route.

cooper and kc are both stud types both are route runners with great hands ...

[mstrbass2000]

So we need a traditional #1 WR just like the non-traditional #1 WRs listed? The superpowers of the guys listed aren't that they are really big or fast - they're tough and smart. That's basically an argument against a guy like Chris Brazzell.

If Omar Cooper somehow fell to us (unlikely), I'd draft him because of the connection with Mendoza. Otherwise I'd probably pass on WR in the 2nd.

brazzell is a wr with upside that can be had later on in the draft, not the same as coop or kc

[Rabidraider]

cooper and kc are both stud types both are route runners with great hands ...

Cooper has Raider all over him the way he runs through contact and crushes defenders.

It would be a nice gift for Mendoza too.

[mstrbass2000]

Cooper has Raider all over him the way he runs through contact and crushes defenders.

It would be a nice gift for Mendoza too.

im all for giving him all the weapon necessary for him thrive...i think surratt is in this draft too maybe 3rd

[RI RAIDER]

We need to protect Mendoza, BB, and Jeanty with a WR who has to be accounted for. Rome wasn't built in a day so I do not expect to get it this season (unless one of our kids takes a big step forward). I would guarantee that we get that guy next season if things do not go our way this year.

[BoKnows81]

not me, id take all 4 of those stud wr (jsn,puka,amon,chase) over bowers everyday of the week but i commend you on being a true raiderfan

Has zero to do with being a Raider fan. I watched Brock Bowers in college. He was the greatest tight end prospect I've ever seen. And it carried over to the NFL. I love Chase. I love Puka. I love JSN. I love Amon. But those guys can be take out of games. And they have. My right hand to God i dont think anyone is taking Brock out of any games. Ever. Esp with conpetent QB play. Puka is the closest thing to Brock but his issue is health. So yes, I would take a likely HOF TE that has the potential to be the greatest at his position over ANY WR in the game. And those that know me on here know I aint a Raider Homer.

For the record, I know we need WR help. But again, we do not need an alpha WR1. I'm game for Cooper in Round 2. He will be OUR wr1 but our 2nd in line for targets.

[Trainnvain]

bowers was schemed out of a lot of games last yr and we won how many games with bower as our wr1

The entire offense was schemed out of games by the numbnuts OC, pegging that on the hybrid TE/WR is pretty clueless