With the 2026 NFL Draft coming up on April 23-25, the Las Vegas Raiders are making some serious roster moves. The Raiders are widely expected to select Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, and the franchise has been hard at work restructuring the roster around their presumed new franchise QB.
Raiders make the perfect free agency signing as the Fernando Mendoza era approaches
The latest free agency move from the Raiders comes in the form of former Vikings WR Jalen Nailor. Las Vegas and Nailor have agreed to a three-year, $35 million deal with $23 million guaranteed. The move gives Las Vegas some much-needed WR help, and gives Mendoza a reliable receiving target for his rookie season out west.
Raiders have agreed to terms with WR Jalen Nailor on a three year, $35 million deal including $23 million guaranteed, per Ken Sarnoff and Joe DiBenedetto of 1 Of 1 Agency. pic.twitter.com/1CGC4CcSLu
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2026
Raiders' signing of Jalen Nailor gives Fernando Mendoza a reliable receiving threat
Nailor has four years of NFL experience under his belt, all of which came with the Minnesota Vikings. Nailor was drafted by Minnesota in the 6th Round with the 191st overall pick back in 2022, and he is coming off a season in which he posted a career-high 444 receiving yards in 2025.
In his career, the Michigan State product has hauled in 69 catches for 1,066 yards and 11 touchdowns. His numbers don't jump off the page, but he is a dependable wideout who has minimal drops. Nailor had just one drop on 53 targets this past season, and he is able to make contested catches all over the field. Heading into Year 1 of the Klint Kubiak era, Nailor's skill set could work very well with Mendoza at the helm of the Las Vegas offense in 2026.
Raiders WR Jalen Nailorpic.twitter.com/jO7csttHA1
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) March 9, 2026
In addition to signing Nailor, the Raiders brought in veteran center Tyler Linderbaum on a three-year, $81 million deal with $60 million guaranteed. Linderbaum has been one of the best centers in the NFL over the past four seasons with the Ravens, and heads to Vegas coming off three straight Pro Bowl appearances.
The Raiders also acquired the No. 14 overall pick in April's draft, as well as a first rounder in next year's draft, in the trade that sent 5-time Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby to the Ravens.
The start of the NFL regular season is still six months away, but the Raiders are shaping up to be much-improved in 2026 after going 3-14 in 2025. With Mendoza as the overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1 pick, he could be heading to a decent situation during the Kubiak era in Las Vegas.