​Most NFL teams find their success largely tied to the strength of their draft classes. There are, of course, clubs like the Rams that often say “F them picks” and trade for proven stars. The Raiders are not one of those franchises. They are in the early stages of a rebuild and will lean heavily on their home-grown talent. With that in mind, let’s examine the original Raiders on this squad, organized into tiers. We’ll begin with the stars.
Maxx Crosby, #98, Las Vegas Raiders, by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images: The five-time Pro Bowler briefly looked like he could be headed to Baltimore in a trade, but the Ravens backed out and Crosby remained with the Raiders. He now anchors the Raiders’ rebuilt defense, providing a ferocious presence on the edge and serving as a cornerstone of their long-term plan.
Kolton Miller, offensive tackle for the Las Vegas Raiders: The longest-tenured Raider, Miller signed another extension last offseason, which could seal his status as a career Raider. He has been the league’s steadying force at left tackle for almost a decade, consistently delivering reliability and protection that the offense can build around.
AJ Cole, punter for the Raiders: One of only two Raiders roster members to have ever earned All-Pro honors, and the only two-time All-Pro on the current squad. His accolades are even more impressive given that he was not drafted, underscoring the value he has provided since arriving in Las Vegas.
Brock Bowers, #89, Las Vegas Raiders: Entering his third season, Bowers wasted no time making an impact as a rookie in 2024, shattering a 60-year-old rookie tight end record, setting a new benchmark for rookie receptions, and earning All-Pro honors. He looked set to dominate once again before an injury hindered much of his second season. As he recovers and returns to form, he remains a central figure in the Raiders’ plans moving forward.
This analysis reflects a broader view of how the Raiders are building from within, emphasizing the importance of home-grown talent as they navigate the early stages of a rebuild. The hope is that these core players—Crosby, Miller, Cole, and Bowers—will anchor a franchise that continues to develop through its draft choices and grow into a sustained, competitive contender in the league.