Who Should I Start? Rashod Bateman or Jalen Nailor

Saturday, June 13, 5:38 AM

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor signed a three-year, $35 million contract in free agency, leaving behind one of the league's most top-heavy receiver rooms in Minnesota for a wide-open one in Vegas. In his final season with the Vikings, Nailor led the team with four touchdown grabs and 15.3 yards per reception, making the most of a bad situation and flashing big play ability in a limited role. While the Raiders offense is expected to run through tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty in 2026 and beyond, Nailor needs to beat out only Tre Tucker and 2025 second-round pick Jack Bech for an every-down role in Klint Kubiak's play-action-heavy system. With Bowers fighting through injury for much of the year and ultimately missing five games, Tucker led the team with 696 receiving yards in 2025. However, Jakobi Meyers opened the year as the Raiders' primary receiver, helping to suppress individual production across the team. With Meyers now gone, there's a realistic path for one of Vegas' wideouts to reach 1,000 yards for the first time in their career, and with the highest financial commitment of the lot, Nailor should see every opportunity to be that guy. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR86, he's an under-considered asset who could provide usable depth to contending rosters.