Predicting Raiders' Breakout Players at 2024 OTAs, Minicamp

The Las Vegas Raiders built some momentum at the end of the 2023 season, thanks in no small part to the boost then-interim coach Antonio Pierce provided. This season, the Raiders will be searching for a boost elsewhere.

Pierce was hired as the full-time head coach at the start of the offseason, and Las Vegas has added some new, intriguing pieces in the months since. Quarterback Gardner Minshew will provide competition for Aidan O'Connell, while defensive tackle Christian Wilkins should help round out a fearsome defensive front.

Rookies like Brock Bowers and Jackson Powers-Johnson will strengthen the roster as well.

If Las Vegas hopes to make the jump from good team to playoff contender, however, it should hope to find some in-house help, just as it did with Pierce.

Here, we'll examine three returning Raiders players who could kick off breakout seasons during this month's organized team activities (OTAs) and upcoming minicamps.

CB Jakorian Bennett

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 14: Jakorian Bennett #0 of the Las Vegas Raiders defends in coverage during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on December 14, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

As a rookie, cornerback Jakorian Bennett was a surprisingly significant contributor in 2023. The fourth-round pick out of Maryland got on the field early and ended up appearing in 14 games for Las Vegas.

However, the on-field results were mixed. Bennett showed a few flashes but was largely out of the lineup late in the season and allowed an opposing passer rating of 102.5 in coverage, according to Pro Football Reference.

Now, Bennett could face serious competition from rookie fourth-round pick Decamerion Richardson in the offseason. However, that competition might only push Bennett to be a better pro.

Making the jump from college to the NFL is an especially large challenge for defensive backs. The nuances, speed and overall talent that pro receivers possess are on another level from what college corners regularly see on a down-to-down basis.

Bennett has experienced this firsthand. He flashed the talent and the mental makeup to see significant playing time as a rookie. He can pair that with the knowledge he has gained over the past year to make a jump in Year 2.

WR Tre Tucker

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 09: Wide receiver Tre Tucker #11 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up before a game against the Green Bay Packers at Allegiant Stadium on October 09, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

Wideout Tre Tucker is another Raiders rookie who flashed in 2023. Though he wasn't a full-time contributor, the speedy Cincinnati product managed to make the occasional impact with his breakaway ability.

Tucker averaged an impressive 17.4 yards per catch last season.

There are a few reasons why Tucker is poised to make a jump this year, starting with the addition of Minshew. A 2023 Pro Bowl alternate, Minshew should improve Las Vegas' quarterback play. He'll either win the job and provide an upgrade or push O'Connell to raise his level of production.

Either outcome will be a win for Tucker, who should take a firm hold on the WR3 role behind Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers.

Secondly, the NFL's new kickoff rule could open up special-teams opportunities for Tucker. He played sparingly on the third unit as a rookie, but with the rules changes likely to lead to more frequent returns, his quickness and ball-carrying ability (7.7 yards per rush in 2023) could make him a huge asset.

Plus, like Bennett, Tucker now has the experience to be a more polished player in his second season.

OT Thayer Munford Jr.

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INGLEWOOD, CA - OCTOBER 1: Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) walks off the field after the NFL regular season game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers on October 1, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Guard Dylan Parham has gone from being a relatively unheralded 2022 third-round pick to one of Las Vegas' most reliable offensive linemen. He has started all 34 games since being drafted and had a strong 2023 campaign while showcasing some positional versatility.

"I think Dylan can play any of those positions," Pierce said during the scouting combine, per Aidan Champion of FanNation.

Thayer Munford Jr. was taken four rounds after Parham in the 2022 draft and hasn't emerged at quite the same rate. However, that could change in 2024. The 24-year-old got some valuable playing experience last season and handled himself well.

According to Pro Football Focus, Munford was responsible for four sacks but only one penalty across 521 sacks.

With Jermaine Eluemunor out, Munford should have a chance to secure the right tackle job in the coming months. While he'll undoubtedly face competition from rookie Delmar Glaze, Munford's experience should give him an early edge.

And if the competition helps Munford further improve, he could soon join Parham and running back Zamir White as valuable starters from a 2022 draft class that didn't begin until the third round.

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*Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference