The Las Vegas Raiders are in full crisis mode on offense during this brutal 2025 NFL season, with problems piling up so high it’s tough to see over them. Head coach Pete Carroll has been quick to point fingers, pinning the blame squarely on recently fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. But hold on— it only took one disastrous game post-firing to shatter that narrative and expose the real culprits.
Carroll’s handpicked quarterback, Geno Smith, has been a walking turnover machine, while the offensive line and run game have crumbled like a house of cards. And get this: Carroll’s own son, Brennan, serves as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator, yet he’s somehow escaped any scrutiny. Family ties, anyone? The coaching staff’s missteps have turned the Raiders’ offense into a downright offensive spectacle, but the deeper issue is a glaring lack of talent up front. If Las Vegas wants to salvage this unit and turn things around, a massive offseason investment in free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft is non-negotiable.
In a move that’s sending shockwaves through the league—and a clear warning shot to rivals like the Denver Broncos ahead of Sunday’s heated AFC West clash—the Raiders are signaling a total offensive overhaul. With the No. 4 overall pick in sight, most mock drafts have them eyeing quarterbacks like Fernando Mendoza, Dante Moore, or Ty Simpson to replace the struggling Smith. But FanSided’s Alicia de Artola just dropped a bombshell in her latest 2026 mock draft, projecting Las Vegas to snag Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa instead, prioritizing the trenches over a flashy QB splash.
“The Raiders could look at a quarterback here, but let’s be honest: No quarterback is going to succeed behind their offensive line as currently constructed,” de Artola explained. “So this feels like a good time to take a top-of-the-line offensive line prospect. Ideally, Mauigoa becomes a franchise left tackle. At worst, he projects as a steady eddy guard. Either way, he’d greatly help Las Vegas.”
This projection isn’t just draft chatter—it’s a stunning roster warning that Denver had no clue was brewing. As the Broncos gear up for Sunday’s showdown at Allegiant Stadium, they’re walking into a Raiders team that’s publicly admitting its flaws and vowing a rebuild that could make them a nightmare matchup in the near future. Questions linger about Mauigoa’s NFL fit—can he stick at tackle, or is guard his destiny? Either way, he’s a guaranteed upgrade for a Raiders line that’s been porous all season.
With Kolton Miller locked in at left tackle for years to come, Mauigoa could slide to right tackle, bumping DJ Glaze inside while soaking up wisdom from the vet. Or, he could fortify the interior at guard for immediate impact. At 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, this powerful people-mover has sharpened his tackle skills throughout the year and boasts elite instincts for a player who’s just 20 years old heading into the draft. Drawing comps to pros like Matthew Bergeron, Josh Simmons, and Graham Barton, Mauigoa straddles the guard-tackle line perfectly—and in Vegas, he’d dominate no matter the spot.
The Raiders’ message is crystal clear: Fix the line first, and the rest will follow. Drafting Mauigoa could kickstart that transformation, building on his standout true freshman season at Miami and injecting youth into a veteran group. As a 21-year-old rookie next fall, he could be the spark Las Vegas needs. Denver, brace yourselves— this overhaul warning is just the beginning, and Sunday’s game might be the last time you catch the Raiders this vulnerable.