1 last-minute trade Raiders must make before Week 1 of 2026 NFL season

With the first regular-season game of new head coach Klint Kubiak’s tenure fast approaching, the Las Vegas Raiders are still working on finalizing their roster. GM John Spytek continues to tinker with the team, as a notable transaction on Monday went to the receiver room. Just eight days after signing him, the Raiders released veteran receiver Noah Brown.

The move leaves the Raiders very light in experience with their wide receiving group. Spytek signed former Minnesota Vikings wideout Jalen Nailor this offseason, yet most of the depth is a mixture of recent draft picks. Tre Turner and Jack Bech look like they’ll begin the season alongside Nailor as starters. Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Malik Brown, the latter a sixth-round pick in this past April’s NFL Draft, are also set to play featured roles in Kubiak’s attack.

Despite all of the potential in the Raiders’ receiving room, the need for a true number one receiver is painfully obvious. While one of these young receivers could emerge into the role, Kubiak could use a top guy right now. With veteran Kirk Cousins holding down the fort at quarterback for now, there’s no need to rush 2026 No.1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

While the league might be short of true number one receivers that could be had via trade, there are some wideouts out there with the potential to grow into the role quickly. One name should interest the Raiders in particular: Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. As the Jaguars look to make a postseason return once again in 2026, would they be willing to part ways with Thomas Jr. so close to the start of the regular season?

Brian Thomas Jr. could give Fernando Mendoza a long-term top target

The Jaguars’ 2024 first-round pick, Thomas Jr., had an electric rookie season. A stat line of 87 catches for 1,282 yards and ten touchdowns. Even though the Jaguars failed to make the playoffs, it was clear that Jacksonville had the pieces to help them get back. After head coach Liam Coen was hired last offseason, the hype around Thomas Jr. climbed. Many thought the ex-LSU star would have a monster sophomore season.

Yet, injuries and ineffectiveness hamstrung Thomas Jr. in 2025. In 14 games, he caught 48 balls for 707 yards and two touchdowns. A severe drop-off across the board, especially disappointing considering the excellent rookie campaign in 2024. Now, as Thomas Jr. enters year three, trade rumors have swirled around him. The question of whether he’ll be able to succeed under Coen has been asked at least a few times by now. Would a new home entering his third NFL season help him put the disappointment of last fall behind him?

In Las Vegas, Thomas Jr. would be given the room to get back towards that 2024 form. Kubiak got a career year out of another former first-rounder last year in Jaxon Smith-Njigba. While it’s unclear that Kubiak’s scheme could guarantee that type of jump for Thomas Jr., growing alongside Mendoza could be the start of a foundational partnership.

Add in other offensive pieces, like running back Ashton Jeanty, tight end Brock Bowers, and center Tyler Linderbaum, and the Raiders could have some major core pieces on offense. It’s up to Kubiak and Mendoza to get everything to click. If Spytek can trade for Thomas Jr., or another potential top target, then the odds in Vegas may flip into the Raiders’ favor.

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