Raiders Show Clear Offensive Plan amid Tyler Linderbaum Contract, Jackson Powers-Johnson Rumors

The Las Vegas Raiders entered the offseason with a substantial surplus of cap space, and they're already spending it aggressively. OF course, as many Raiders fans have learned over the years, spending big doesn't always mean spending wisely.

The good news is that general manager John Spytek, head coach Klint Kubiak, and this year's Las Vegas team have a clear plan, and a sensible one.

The Raiders added a pair of starting-caliber linebackers in Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean, which will help boost a defense that ranked 25th in points allowed this past season. They also added complementary receiver Jalen Nailor.

However, Las Vegas' headline-making move of Monday was signing Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Raiders landed Linderbaum with a three-year, $81 million deal that will make him the highest-paid center in history.

Did the Raiders overpay to get Linderbaum? Probably, but doing so was a brilliant move. So is hanging onto 2024 second-round pick Jackson Powers-Johnson, who has looked more comfortable at center than guard in his two seasons with Las Vegas.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Raiders don't plan to trade Powers-Johnson and will instead keep him at guard.

Powers-Johnson underwhelmed at guard this past season, though it's worth noting that the entire line struggled under line coach Brennan Carroll. Continuing to develop the 23-year-old, who has positional versatility and 21 starts on his resume, is the right call.

And to be clear, Powers-Johnson was far from a disaster when healthy in 2025. Pro Football Focus ranked him 37th out of 81 qualifying guards. Linderbaum, who was the No. 2 player on B/R's free-agent big board, is one of the best young linemen in the league. Pro Football Focus ranked him fifth overall among all centers this past season, and he's been named to the Pro Bowl in three straight campaigns.

Building up the offensive line should be Las Vegas' top priority this week. The team is widely expected to use the first overall pick in April's draft on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who has all the tools needed to be the Raiders' long-term answer at quarterback.

"Mendoza has the build of a traditional pocket passer and a polished passing skill set that translates well to the NFL," Daniel Harms of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "He excels as a quick post-snap processor and quick decision-maker with the football."

However, Mendoza is still an incoming rookie likely to struggle behind a line that can protect him. Fortunately, it's becoming clear that the Raiders aren't going to let that happen.

While Las Vegas had one of the worst overall rosters in the NFL last season, it did boast talented skill players like Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers, and Tre Tucker. With an average-to-above-average line, the Raiders should be able to set up Mendoza for early success.

With Linderbaum in the fold, Powers-Johnson remaining in the mix, and Kolton Miller again healthy, the Raiders' line has the potential to be well above average in 2026.