Kirk Cousins and No 1 pick Fernando Mendoza give Raiders bettors some hope in the upcoming year

Las Vegas is the place you go with a lot of hope in your head and in your heart. This year, optimism reigns for the Raiders as they have new pieces that could prove that its endless rebuilding phase is drawing to a close and that a fresh era in Sin City is underway.

The Raiders suffered through a miserable 2025 campaign, finishing dead last in the division with a 3–14 record and securing the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Not everything was bad; tight end Brock Bowers and pass rusher Maxx Crosby delivered individual...