The Raiders wrapped up the 2025 season at 3-12 and will enter 2026 with a brand new coaching staff and likely a brand new quarterback. Despite finishing at a horrific record, tied for the worst in the NFL, and earning the first overall selection it’s time to take a look at the Las Vegas Raiders 2026 team awards:
MVP: EDGE Maxx Crosby
Crosby played 15 games, posting 53 pressures, 10 sacks, 20 QB Hits, 28 TFL, 6 PBU, 2 FF, and an interception while being named to the Pro Bowl. Crosby has been instrumental in the Raiders defensive performances consistently logging production, effort, and notable game wrecking plays vs the run including this season with opposing teams only rushing to his side of the field on just 8.7% of plays. Prior to his injury, Crosby was on pace to be one of just four players in NFL history to record 30+ TFL and 10+ sacks in a single season. Reports surround the Raiders and Maxx Crosby’s future this off-season and while the Raiders would be smart to potentially capitalize on the value Crosby can bring to help cement a rebuilding team, they should also look into keeping the face of the franchise and defensive anchor.
OPOY: TE Brock Bowers
Bowers, like Crosby, is the face of the Raiders franchise on offense and possibly the face of the franchise overall going forward. He played in just 12 games this season with a knee injury where he posted 64 receptions, 680 yards, and a team leading seven touchdowns. Additionally, Bowers went 14/22 on contested catches ranking 4th among TE in opportunities and 7th in success rate. Bowers also hauled in 296 of his 680 yards after the catch while forcing 11 forced missed tackles (6th among TE) and having an average depth of target the highest of all NFL TE at 7.9 yards. Bowers has planted himself as an elite receiving tight end hauling in 176 receptions, 1874 yards, and 12 touchdowns in two seasons with an impressive 34 contested catches on just 52 opportunities in two seasons. The Raiders will be smart to build around Bowers in 2026 and possible quarterback Fernando Mendoza will likely favor Bowers heavily.
DPOY: EDGE Maxx Crosby
For what would be the 4th season in a row most likely, Crosby would win the Raiders defensive player of the year award. As stated above, he’s posted double digit sacks in three of the last four seasons, 20+ TFL in three of the four seasons, and over 25 quarterback hits as well. Crosby has been an elite player for the Raiders, becoming more consistent and dominant as a run defender while still providing a good boost as a pass rusher as well. The now 5x Pro Bowler and 2x All-Pro has the ability to continue anchoring the Raiders defense or help them build their offense and defense for a possible super bowl run.
OROY: RB Ashton Jeanty
After selecting Jeanty 6th overall, Jeanty recorded 266 attempts for 975 yards, and five touchdowns with another 55 receptions, 346 yards, and five touchdowns. He became one of the first NFL rookie runningbacks to post both five receiving and rushing touchdowns in their first NFL season and he fell short of 1000 yards by just 25 yards. Jeanty also finished top 8 in the NFL in forced missed tackles (61, 5th) and yarders after contact at 815. Jeanty has shown notable flashes of being an elusive runner with the 6th ranked elusiveness rating in the NFL and he does show the ability to make long downhill runs. The Raiders run blocking ranked 30th this season in win rate and overall they looked terrible in terms of their assignments and concepts. The Raiders need to revamp the offensive system to support the run game going forward and let Jeanty flourish as a runner and in the receiving game as well.
DROY: CB Darien Porter
The “easy choice” Porter played 607 snaps for the Raiders finishing the season strong with some good performances throughout the year as well along with a couple weak one as well. Porter allowed just 19 receptions for 256 yards, 0 touchdowns, 6 PBU, and a 81.9 QBR. His QBR allowed ranked 7th among rookie CBs and he also ranked 9th in separation allowed, 8th in EPA/target, and also finished inside the top 60 for NFL cornerbacks in terms of separation rate. The Raiders saw a variety of defensive players play key roles this off-season but Porter showed the ability to develop into a longterm starting cornerback for the Raiders with his size, instincts, athletic ability, and rookie film. The Raiders need to continue developing talent at cornerback and Porter could be the first step towards trying to build a strong secondary
Breakout Player the Year: IDL Jonah Laulu
After playing 474 snaps in 2024 where he recorded a sack, 35 tackles, 3 TFL, and 2 QB hits while also adding 10 pressures, 3.7% pass rush win rate, 20 stops, and 42.8% run stop win rate. Laulu had some struggles as well in the run game consistently getting pushed out of place and struggling with his pad level as well. Laulu has showed the ability to be a good depth and rotational player for the Raiders defensive interior and in his 764 snaps in 2025 he logged 25 pressures, 22 stops, a 6.9% pass rush win rate, 48.8% run stop win rate, 51 tackles, 4 sacks, 8 TFL, 5 PBU, and 11 quarterback hits. Laulu overall has been a productive player, though he likely will see more production going forward when he’s able to play the rotational bursts required of him as a depth piece on the interior. Las Vegas will need to continue pressing to add talent on the interior defensive line and force rotational players into roles that allow them to succeed with Laulu as a 300-450 snaps rotational defensive tackle ideally going forward.
