Official Las Vegas Raiders Thread

Jakorian Bennett
Comparisons: L'Jarius Sneed, Jamel Dean
Sneed has three seasons, 41 games, 38 starts, and 14 AV and counting. Dean has four seasons, 57 games, 38 starts, and 15 AV and counting. Both are rotational players to average starters.

What he is now: Possibly a nickel.

What he could be: Nickel or CB.

Biggest Strength: It seems his versability - could play Nickel, could be elsewhere as a CB.

Biggest question: Can he clean up his footwork and his hand technique (flagged 13 times last season)?

Big stat: On 54 targets, allowed only 24 completions for 0 TD and 2 INT - passer rating of 47.5.

Rookie Thoughts: The Raiders are assembling a lot of decent DBs. Bennett fits in there, but it will be hard to distinguish himself.

 

Aidan O'Connor

Comparisons: Honestly, I can't find any.

What he is now: A locker room guy.

What he could be: Average backup.

Biggest Strength: Mechanics.

Biggest question: Does he have enough in other areas to make up for his utter lack of athleticism?

Big stat: He won 17 games at QB over his final two seasons at Purdue, the most in a two-season span since Drew Brees's teams won 18.

Rookie Thoughts: There is no great backup option on roster at present, and Garoppolo is not the most durable guy, so O'Connor might have a really nice opportunity to learn the game with high reps in practice and some game time.

 

Jakorian Bennett
Comparisons: L'Jarius Sneed, Jamel Dean
Sneed has three seasons, 41 games, 38 starts, and 14 AV and counting. Dean has four seasons, 57 games, 38 starts, and 15 AV and counting. Both are rotational players to average starters.

What he is now: Possibly a nickel.
What he could be: Nickel or CB.

Biggest Strength: It seems his versability - could play Nickel, could be elsewhere as a CB.
Biggest question: Can he clean up his footwork and his hand technique (flagged 13 times last season)?

Big stat: On 54 targets, allowed only 24 completions for 0 TD and 2 INT - passer rating of 47.5.

Rookie Thoughts: The Raiders are assembling a lot of decent DBs. Bennett fits in there, but it will be hard to distinguish himself.


5 35 (170) Christopher Smith DB Georgia Bulldogs 5'11" 195
Comparison: Johnathan Abram
This one might bother Raiders fans. Abram simply couldn't get it done with the Raiders, and he hasn't had much success since leaving the team either.

What he is now: Special Teamer, cover guy
What he could be: Flexible Safety/Nickel

Biggest Strength: Processing ability, which is a plus.
Biggest Question: Can he tackle well enough to earn reps at DB?

Big Stat: 6 INTs, 9 PD, 6 TFL over final two seasons.

Rookie Thoughts: He had three successful years at Georgia, he gets himself into the right position a lot, but if he tries tackling NFL players at the shoulders like he does on tape, he's going to find it hard to earn snaps.

6 26 (203) Amari Burney LB Florida Gators 6'2" 228
Comparison: I don't know. In terms of size/speed, Quay Walker, Patrick Queen, and Brian Cole are close. Walker had a big rookie season, with 16 starts, 121 tackles, and 7 AV, but he was a first rounder. Queen had a similar trajectory, but he was also a first rounder. Cole was a 7th rounder, and he didn't play as a rookie.

What he is now: Special Teamer
What he could be: 1-gap linebacker

Biggest Strength: Size/Speed
Biggest Question: Can he cover well enough to stay on the field?

Big stat: his size and speed combo is pretty interesting - 6'2, 230ish, and a 4.51.

Rookie Thoughts: He's made for special teams as a rookie.

7 14 (231) Nesta Jade Silvera DT Arizona State Sun Devils 6'2" 306
Comparison: Rashard Lawrence
-has started 13 games over three seasons, totaling 6 AV.

What he is now: Can take snaps as Nose in the 4-3
What he could be: 2 down interior defender

Biggest Strength: Gap plugging.
Biggest Weakness: unsportsmanlike penalties? I think I saw he was flagged for double digits. That seems crazy.

Big Stat: 18 TFL over final three seasons

Rookie Thoughts: He has a chance to assert himself as a two-down player, even as a rookie.

 

Raiders' Rookies on Depth Chart with Stars.

QB
Garropolo 74
O'Connell 48*

WR
Adams 90
Meyers 78
Tucker 64*
Renfrow 63
Dorsett 61

TE
Mayer 71*
Hooper 70
Howard 55

DI
Nichols 69
Young 60*
Tillery 57
Jenkins 54
Silvera 48*
Farrell 37
Butler 35

DE
Crosby 95
Jones 74
Willis 69*

Safety
Epps 75
Moehrig 70
Johnson 49
Smith 44*

CB
Robertson 71
Shelley 70
Hobbs 69
Bennett 65*
Hall 63


Quick Hitters - UDFA
OG McClendon Curtis, Chattanooga
6'6" 324
Comparable: Kelechi Osemele (!), DJ Fluker(!)
Thoughts: Impressive comparables. Big, slow, G or T. Was graded round 5-7.
Verdict: Practice Squad Candidate

OL Dalton Wagner, Arkansas
6'8" 320
Comparable: Jake Curhan
Thoughts: Huge, lots of experience, slow and struggles in pass Protection.
Verdict: Practice Squad Candidate.

Edge Brock Martin OKSU
6'3" 243
Comparable: ?
Thoughts: Lacks the size/speed for an Edge Rusher
Verdict: Possible Special Teamer

CB Azizi Hearns UCLA
6' 204
Comparable: ?
Thoughts: Probably can't cover well enough for CB, tackles too high for S
Verdict: Probably doesn't make it.

LB Drake Thomas NCSU
5'11" 223
Comparable: ?
Thoughts: He looks like an undersized, underathletic gamer. Reminds me a bit of Ben Heeney.
Verdict: POssible Special Teamer
His tape is fun:

Edge George Tarlas Boise State
6'3" 255
Comparable: ?
Thoughts: Moved from Greece to the US, limited football time, and coming off hip surgery in October(?)
Verdict: Not likely, but he's easy to root for.

S Jaydon Grant Oregon State
6' 181
Comparable: ?
Thoughts: Agile, allowed a Passer Rating of 78.7 in 2020, 95.1 in 2021, and just 45.3 in 2022.
Verdict: He's almost 25, but the Raiders aren't exactly overwhelming at DB. Long shot.

DE Adam Plant UNLV
6'5" 255
4.75 40.13.5 TFL and 8 sacks last season.
Vedict: Not likely.

DB Jordan Perryman Washington
6' 200
Good size.

TE John Samuel Shenker Auburn

 

OUT
DE Kyle Peko
LB Darius Harris
WR DJ Turner

Not sure any of these guys were going to make an impact this season.

I'll have some thoughts on new guys and rookies soon.

 

DE Tyree Wilson DNP
TE Michael Mayer DNP
DI Byron Young DNP
DB Chris Smith DNP


WR Tre Tucker
Caught 1 of 3 passes for 15 yards, rushed once for three yards, and had a kickoff return for 25 yards.

DB Jakorian Bennett
Picked up two tackles.

QB Aidan O'Connell
Earned an 85+ PFF grade, by completing 83% of his passes for 141 yards, a TD, and 0 INT. He also ran for 7 yards on two carries. That's new. He never had positive rushing yards in a college season.

LB Amari Burney
Dude filled the stat sheet with 3 solo tackles, a sack, a pass defended.

DI Nesta Jade Silvera
2 tackles

UDFA
Azizi Hearn - 8 tackles.
Drake Thomas - 3 tackles, 1 TFL.
George Tarlas - 1 tackle
Jayton Grant - 1 tackle
Adam Plant - 2 tackles

 

I haven't seen the whole game yet, but O'Connell (obviously) stood out. He looked great, honestly. Azizi Hearn had a hand in a turnover or near turnover (reviewed and overturned?), I think. I'm just remembering hearing his name called on a play like that. I'll watch more and get back.

What did you guys think about the preseason game?

 

Tempered expectations if any... TBD.

 

Way too early? Probably. Here are some win projections for the 2023 season.

Chiefs 13 wins
Chargers 9.5 wins
Raiders 8 wins
Broncos 6.5 wins

I'll update these as the preseason goes on and rosters settle. But nothing here seems wildly off.

 

- O'Connell looks poised, decisive and on point. Looking forward to him on Saturday.
- Tucker looks like Ruggs stature wise but with the dropsies. No biggie as even Cliff Branch had those early on.
- I like Cole Sr at WR but he might not make the cut.
- White does not have the shiftiness or make 'em miss quality of Jacobs but does hit the lanes with power.
- McCormick is an adequate back let's see if what he does with more touches. I like Brown more however.
- Fotheringham over Hooper?
- Trojan picking on a Bruin with Darnold on Hearn.
- our linebackers are small but fast.
- Jenkins looked good. Depth inside our D-line.
- Koonce lost in the shuffle but could still make an impact.
- Pola-Mao at Safety could be a good find though not enough action at this point.
- our P/K aces with Cole/Carlson business as usual.
- still not sold on McDaniels inspite of his coachspeak.

 

Some interesting moves.
Since pre-season games started...

OUT Kyle Peko DT
OUT Darius Harris LB (RIR) (Then Waived)
OUT DJ Turner WR (RIR)
IN Isaiah Zuber WR
OUT Brandon Parker OT (RIR) (Then Waived)
OUT DJ Turner WR (Waive)
OUT Darien Butler LB (RIR)
IN Doug Costin DT
IN Isaac Darkangelo LB

I don't regard any of the waived players as big losses. Among RIR, the story is a bit different. Wondered if Peko and Butler would show out at all.

Doug Costin was a 66 rating in 2020, which would be better than just about any interior defensive player on roster, but he has struggled mightily to find playing time since then.
Darkangelo had a big Senior season at Illinois after very minimal playing time prior to that.

 

Look like Jacobs signed a 1 year, $12m deal.

Wow. He really showed everyone. That's what he was offered previously. Now he goes into the season without a preseason, without time with the new players, and looking kinda foolish.

 

I'd like to see Cole Jr. retained. Much more reliable target than give credit for. Not really sold on Dorsett. Another one is Drake Thomas on defense.

So how bad was the Gruden-Mayock drafting? Leatherwood, Muse, Edwards all released. I don't think Abram will make it with Nawlins...

 

Recent Cuts

OUT Isaac Rochell DL
OUT Phillip Dorsett WR
OUT Keelan Cole WR
OUT Niel Farrell DT (Traded for 6th round pick)
OUT Jaquan Johnson SS
OUT Drake Thomas LB
OUT Damien Williams RB
OUT Cam Webb CB

I had Dorsett as the 5th-highest rated WR behind Tucker. Keelan Cole was right behind him.

I have Farrell 7th among DIs.

The Raiders are sort of "loaded" at DB. Johnson would have been fifth among Safeties. Webb was also lost in the mix at CB.

The only one that I found impressive was Damien Williams. Bummer.

 

Cole could be back on the practice squad.

Their drafting was mostly a mess. I mean, Crosby was a steal though.

 

I would have kept Williams and cut Bolden. Latter is really ancient.

That Farrell trade did not make sense at first sight. You help out a division rival out of all that for a lowly pick.

 

OUT Doug Costin DT
OUT Isaac Darkangelo LB
OUT Chase Garbers QB
OUT Ike Brown CB
OUT Bryce Cosby CB
OUT Vitaliy Gurman OG
OUT Darwin Thompson RB
OUT Chris Lacy WR (Waive/IR)
OUT Brittain Brown RB
OUT Jacob Hollister TE
OUT Isaiah Zuber WR

No surprises there.

 

OUT
David Agoha DE
Matthew Butler DT
Adam Plant DE
George Tarlas DE
Jordan Willis DE*
No surprises except possibly Willis.

McClendon Curtis OG
Netane Muti OG
Alex Bars OG*
Hroniss Grasu C*
-A couple names I expected to be on roster.

Kana'i Mauga LB
Drake Thomas LB
-No surprises.

Cole Fotheringham TE*
John Samuel Shenker TE
-No real surprise

Jaydon Grant S
Tyler Hall CB*
Azizi Hearn CB
Sam Webb CB*
Duke Shelley CB**
-Honestly, some of these guys are surprising. Shelley was one of four DBs rated 70+ for the Raiders.

Keelan Cole WR
Cam Sims WR
-Too much depth.


Sincere McCormick RB
-No surprise.

RIR
Dalton Wagner OT

I'll be back with a Depth Chart and thoughts.

 

OFFENSE
QB
Garoppolo
Hoyer/O'Connell
-Statistically, Garoppolo is better than Carr when healthy. Let's see how he does on that front. AOC looks fantastic.

Wide Receiver
Adams/Meyers/Renfrow
Tucker/Wilkerson/Carter
-Great starting trio. Wilkerson led the team in preseason with 17-188, 1 TD. Tucker took 5 receptions for 92 yards. Carter had just 1-9. Both Tucker (16.5 per punt) and Carter (30 yards on a kickoff and 31 on a punt) showed some pop in the return game.

TE
Hooper/Mayer/Horsted
-Excited for Mayer. Not sure we're as deep as at our deepest though, with Waller and Moreau.

RB
Jacobs/White/Abdullah/Bolden
Johnson
-Same group as last year. Would have liked to see Damien Williams stick around. No one else really established themselves in preseason.

OL
Miller/Parham/James/Van Roten/Eluemunor
Herron/Meredith/Munford
-Van Roten is the weak link in the starting lineup, but he was adequate last season (58). Munford (61) was actually better.

DEFENSE
DE
Crosby/Jones
Wilson/Koonce
-This unit is ready. Excited to see what they can do with the young guys rotating in.

DI
Tillery/Nichols
Jenkins/Butler/Silvera/Young
-Tillery and Nichols are decent, and Young and Jenkins behind them should push for time. Silvera could develop into a run stuffer.

LB
Spillane/Deablo
Burney/Masterson/Bolton
-Masterson is probably the weak link here, and there's a big drop off after Spillane and Deablo. But Burney was an interesting player in preseason.

DB
Bennett, Epps, Moehrig, Peters, Hobbs
Facyson, Teamer, Pola-Mao, Long, Robertson, Smith
-Bennett's 65 rating is the lowest among the starters, while Peters clocks in at 76, highest among the starters. Robertson is a 71. Facyson is a 60. Teamer and Long are 53s. Still shocked Shelley (70) didn't make it. It's a deep group of adequate players.