The Las Vegas Raiders concluded their preseason with an 18-12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, finishing the exhibition schedule with a 1-2 record. The team now turns its attention to the regular season opener against the Miami Dolphins on September 13.
Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins appears to have solidified his lead over rookie Fernando Mendoza for the Raiders' starting quarterback position. Cousins opened the game against the 49ers, guiding the offense to two field goal drives before giving way to Mendoza. While coach Klint Kubiak has not officially declared a starter, signs strongly indicate Cousins will begin the season under center.
The Raiders acquired Cousins specifically to provide a stable presence and allow Mendoza time to develop. Although Mendoza may represent the franchise's future, Cousins was brought in to protect that future by stabilizing the present.
In the preseason finale, Cousins completed 8 of 11 passes for 51 yards, moving the Raiders into scoring position twice without any turnovers. While his performance was not spectacular and the offense did not score a touchdown with him on the field against a defense primarily composed of 49ers backups, his steady and mistake-free play contrasts with Mendoza's uneven performance.
Mendoza, in his appearance, was intercepted for the second consecutive game. He finished 7 of 14 for 57 yards. The rookie faced significant pressure, being sacked twice and operating with a shaky offensive line. While the protection issues contributed to his struggles, the interceptions and overall performance reinforced the idea that he still requires development.
Mike Washington Jr., a fourth-round rookie running back, continued to impress during the preseason. He rushed eight times for 49 yards against the 49ers, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Over the entire preseason, Washington accumulated 168 yards on 23 attempts, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. His combination of size, burst, and power has been evident, even against backup defenses. Washington's decisive running style and ability to turn short gains into substantial ones suggest he can handle a significant workload if needed, potentially forming a potent duo with Ashton Jeanty, whose availability is currently uncertain due to an ankle sprain.
The Raiders' wide receiver unit, however, remains a concern. Throughout the preseason, the group struggled to consistently create separation and make impactful plays. In the final preseason game, receivers were largely invisible, failing to answer coach Kubiak's challenges. Despite acknowledging that the team operated with limited offensive schemes and faced inconsistent quarterback play and pass protection, the lack of standout performances from the receiving corps raises roster questions. As the team with the first waiver claim after finishing last season with the NFL's worst record, the Raiders may look to add depth at the wide receiver position during roster reductions.