Training Camp 2026

[Atlasffa]

Rookies report to TC on July 23. All others on July 28. Below are dates open to the public.

[vtraider]

People say this stuff every year. If you're really that good don't talk it. Just go out and do it

[RI RAIDER]

My optimistic post of the day:

Mayer got huge and really focused on his blocking. He gave us a little sample size of what he is capable of doing this past season. He clearly looked better blocking which will be a HUGE need for us. Maybe this is the year it all comes together for him. He could be an amazing #2 TE for us and I am very interested to see if his blocking continues in the right trajectory.

Thornton has off the charts size/speed which can not be taught. Whats that mean at the end of the day. Nada. That being said, maybe this kid has a desire to learn and become the best he can be. Its year 2, so I hope we can give him some leeway and the benefit of doubt. Some WR's do not figure it out for a few years. I am not saying this kid should be given a scholarship, but I am not ready to discard him especially since what is in our stable.

[chucker]

I think Mayer is likely going to look like a very good #2 TE and likely to be on the field a bunch because we'll be leaning on the run game and because we don't have a bunch of WRs who you feel like have to be on the field all the time.

As for the WRs..... I think that Nailor and Bech are going to be the top options this season. Thornton has all the measureables, but needs to make big strides to get something out of that. Tucker is better suited to be a role player than the full time starter that he's been for the Raiders.

We're going to be a run-first team IMO. And the game day thread will have plenty of hand wringing over it as we keep running even when it isn't that effective. The Seahawks did that on the way to a SB. We aren't winning a SB this year, but it's still Kubiak and that's the recipe followed by that tree.

[Rabidraider]

Nailor gets 1000 yards. I may eat these words, but that's my gut and its right more than wrong.

Jeanty gets 1000 plus too.

[Attyla]

Don't be surprised if we run a lot of three TE sets, it is becoming the flavor of the month in the league.

[SkullCrusher]

Plus his mental breakdown a couple years ago, that cost us a year of him playing.

6 games.

[raidersince63]

6 games.

Yup, I started to challenge the post too by pointing out that Bowers failed to start in 9 games last year.

[Trainnvain]

6 games.

6 games, 17 games. What's the diff? Stop being so pedantic.

[raidersince63]

6 games, 17 games. What's the diff? Stop being so pedantic.

???

[Xramfan]

???

I’m guessing sarcasm :)

[SkullCrusher]

Yup, I started to challenge the post too by pointing out that Bowers failed to start in 9 games last year.

I like Bowers a lot but lost games still matter to, it wasn't a good year from him because of this, sure out of his control but it's not like he's had 2 great seasons.

But back to Mayer's, for him to pop besides injury the Raiders need to adopt and be able to execute like when the Pats had Gronk and the Murderer. Very few teams have pulled off two statistically highly successful TE's in the same season.

The Pats combo had one exceptional year by far the best ever in the NFL: 169 Catches, 2237 Yard, 24 TD's
The best the Raiders ever done was Casper/Chester: 115, 1483 & 11. (There are a handful of other TE's duo's in this area)
Gronk/Aaron's next best season was in the Casper/Chester realm.

We're really going to have to buy into that plan and execute, we have no idea how often the Raiders plan on running the 12 and that's the catalyst for both TE's to have great year. If they don't, Mayers will be in the 30-40 range area by design. It's not that he's under performing, it's opportunities.

There's going to be around 350 catches for the team per year, balls are always limited for ball catchers. Seahawks last year had 325. Klint has avg'd 346 catches per year as OC. 372 the most with Cousin's.

[Attyla]

Vets reporting today, now the work begins

[raidersince63]

I like Bowers a lot but lost games still matter to, it wasn't a good year from him because of this, sure out of his control but it's not like he's had 2 great seasons.

We're really going to have to buy into that plan and execute, we have no idea how often the Raiders plan on running the 12 and that's the catalyst for both TE's to have great year. If they don't, Meyers will be in the 30-40 range area by design. It's not that he's under performing, it's opportunities.

Exactly and that has been my contention too, which is that Mayer's "potential" has yet to be achieved is perhaps mostly due to the fact that he has not been as many opportunities as he could/should have. He doesn't call the plays and he can't make the QB throw to him.

But considering the smattering of targets he has been given, he's done well.

Don't know if he and Bowers can equal what the Patriot's achieved but I believe they can be very close.

[SkullCrusher]

Exactly and that has been my contention too, which is that Mayer's "potential" has yet to be achieved is perhaps mostly due to the fact that he has not been as many opportunities as he could/should have. He doesn't call the plays and he can't make the QB throw to him.

But considering the smattering of targets he has been given, he's done well.

Don't know if he and Bowers can equal what the Patriot's achieved but I believe they can be very close.

If they were to focus on this I think they can be in that second tier which everyone else was but that one season of the Pats. If it proved to be a success perhaps they can grow into that magical year the Pats had. Mayer's is on his last year of his contract and probably a fair chance he won't be here after this year.

[powski]

Bech is someone I have some hope for but my crystal ball is totally clouded.
Hes isnt straight line fast, but he's agile enough, not slow over shorter distances, and his RAS score was fairly high. He has decent hands and route running ability. And a good blocker, physical and good at contested catch.
But until he steps up at this level none of that matters. Last year was a bad spot but he wasnt impressive (or that bad either) in his limited playing time.
I still hope but don't believe it till I see it. It would suck if our round 2 pick is a total bust.