Raiders training camp will have plenty of important positional battles.
Every offseason, teams around the league bring in players they believe will help them compete in the fall. Whether drafting a player, acquiring them via free agency, or trade, general managers work all offseason to find players who will bolster their rosters. Each team is allowed to have 90 players on their current roster in the offseason, and it’s up to the coaches and front office to figure out who’ll make the cut to the 53-man roster. Training camp is a great way for teams to do just that, and the Las Vegas Raiders are no different. Here are three of the biggest camp battles to look forward to seeing with the Raiders this summer.
Quarterbacks
Most teams know who their starting quarterback will be this summer, but the Raiders on the other hand? Not so much. This summer, quarterbacks Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew will battle it out in training camp for the right to start. Both players are coming into camp and expecting to win the job.
O’Connell finished his rookie season last year with a record of 5-5 while throwing for 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He played well last season as the starter when interim head coach Antonio Pierce took over. However, Minshew will bring true competition for the position.
During the offseason, the team signed Minshew to a two-year $25 million contract with $15 million guaranteed. That type of contract warrants fans and media following the team to believe that he has a strong chance at being the starter. Both players will need to show the coaches who can command the offense and put points on the board.
Cornerbacks
The Raiders finished the second half of last season as the ninth-ranked defense under Pierce. Waiver pickup Jack Jones would become a much-needed spark plug for the team. With Jones returning and veteran corner Nate Hobbs manning the starting spots, the team needed to find depth.
Veteran cornerbacks Jakorian Bennett and Brandon Facyson will share the backup roles and push for playing time. Bennett had a rough rookie season but is hoping to improve this year. Meanwhile, Facyson ultimately spent the majority of last season on the injured reserve, but he is expected back this season.
In the fourth round, the team drafted Decamerion Richardson, a cornerback out of Mississippi State. Richardson provides much-needed speed and length on the boundary with a 4.34 40-yard dash while standing in at 6 foot 2 inches and weighing 188 pounds. He will be competing for snaps with seventh-round draft pick M.J. Devonshire out of the University of Pittsburgh. Devonshire led the ACC in pass breakups and finished second in interceptions with four. Unlike years past, the team is not in a position where they need both players to come in and compete instantly. Training camp and preseason will be great for both players to compete for snaps to round out the secondary.
Right Tackle
Many fans are wondering how the Raiders offensive line situation will shape out this year. With the team re-signing Andre James and drafting Jackson Powers-Johnson in the second round, all positions seem filled besides the right tackle spot. Jermaine Eluemunor started the majority of the games at right tackle the past few seasons, but Thayer Munford provided quality snaps.
Munford was drafted in the seventh round in the 2022 NFL draft and started 10 games for the team last season. His competition going into training camp will be rookie third-round pick DJ Glaze from the University of Maryland. Glaze played all of his snaps at left tackle last season but does have experience playing at right tackle. Munford has the clear advantage right now, but Glaze does have the athleticism to push him in camp. With the veteran leadership on the offensive line, fans should feel comfortable with Munford or Glaze starting.
Conclusion
This Raiders training camp will have plenty of battles, and will be one the most interesting that I can remember – fans should be excited. With OTA’s wrapping up here in Henderson, the coaches and front office are getting a first look at the team. Competition is well underway and this is a great time for players to understand the playbook and impress before training camp. I expect a few surprises to happen with rookies and undrafted free agents, but it’s ultimately up to Tom Telesco and Antonio Pierce to find out who can help contribute to this team. As the old saying goes, “may the best man win.”
Cody Henderson
I root for teams that only let me down. Talking all things Las Vegas Raiders and Cal Bears football. Follow me on X where I post my dramatic takes.