Tashawn Bower, Raiders Who Boosted Stock with Strong Preseason Showing

The Las Vegas Raiders enter 2022 with plenty of star power but also questions about the back half of the roster.

With Josh McDaniels taking over as the head coach and Dave Ziegler now leading the front office, the competition to make the 53-man roster was intense and important. The Raiders have the starting lineups on both sides of the ball to compete.

The real key is going to be developing depth.

The preseason is a great barometer for that. While the Raiders rested many of their key contributors, it gave the backups opportunities to shine.

Some were unable to rise to the occasion. Others showed they absolutely deserved to be on the roster.

Here's a look at three players who fit into that latter category.

Edge Tashawn Bower

Tashawn Bower is the preseason sack leader. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 04: Tashawn Bower #96 of the Las Vegas Raiders rushes Kyle Sloter #4 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of the 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 04, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

Tashawn Bower had to have a great preseason to stand out among the group of edge rushers behind Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones. He did just that with the final two games of the preseason.

Bower started his bid for a roster spot with five tackles, including two for a loss and a sack. He didn't back down from that performance against the New England Patriots. He registered a strip-sack on Mac Jones and ended the night with two sacks total.

He's the only player this preseason with four sacks.

Bower's rise has been a much-needed development for the Raiders. Clelin Ferrell hasn't shown he's ever going to break out. Kyler Fackrell is lost for the year. The team signed Jordan Jenkins to help in the pass-rush department, then he went on the injured reserve with a knee issue.

The 27-year-old isn't your typical breakout candidate, but he's showing he could serve as a role player in the Raiders' defensive rotation.

OT Jackson Barton

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Jackson Barton (78) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Minnesota Vikings,, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

At this point, it's no secret that the Las Vegas Raiders' biggest concern heading into the 2022 season is the offensive line. The team struggled up front last year, and a lot of familiar faces are coming into the new season.

So anyone who can prove capable of solid production and opening up some run lanes in the preseason is going to stand out.

Jackson Barton has been that man this preseason. After playing in just two games for the Raiders last season, he has played a huge share of snaps in the preseason and done quite well.

The 27-year-old made the start at left tackle in the team's preseason finale and was strong in pass protection.

Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal noted the Raiders' decision to put Brandon Parker on injured reserve allowed them to protect a "coveted" player from being exposed on waivers.

After watching Barton and realizing his potential as a swing tackle in desperate need of depth, it sounds like he could be that player.

TE Jesper Horsted

AP Photo/John Locher

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jesper Horsted (80) plays against the New England Patriots during an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 26, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Josh McDaniels utilized plenty of two tight end sets while in New England. They showed their dedication to depth at the position when they spent big money on both Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith last offseason.

So it stands to reason that the third tight end on the Raiders roster will end up playing an important role at some point during the season.

Jesper Horsted spent the preseason proving he could step into that role.

Horsted caught all seven of the targets thrown his way in the preseason for 108 yards. He demonstrated a reliability and athleticism that should make the Raiders comfortable allowing him to step in should Darren Waller or Foster Moreau get injured.

That could be a key development. Waller dealt with ankle and knee injuries last season while only playing in 11 games. He's also dealt with a hamstring injury during training camp.

If Waller ends up with an injury again, the Raiders shouldn't have to go look for outside help with Moreau and Horsted on the roster.