Raiders Rumors: Latest Buzz, Players to Watch at Mandatory Minicamp
The Las Vegas Raiders made some noise late in 2023, recording wins over all three AFC West opponents in the final month. Now, they'll be looking to stay relevant in the division, and they'll be counting on a few new contributors to do it.
Much of last year's core remains in place, as does former interim coach Antonio Pierce, who was hired full-time. However, Las Vegas added the likes of Christian Watson, Alexander Mattison and rookie tight end Brock Bowers.
The Raiders also added quarterback Gardner Minshew, who will compete with incumbent Aidan O'Connell for the starting gig.
Watching the 2024 Raiders come together should be loads of fun, and there will be no shortage of things to track throughout June. Raiders mandatory minicamp is slated to kick off on June 11, and here, we'll dive into some of the top buzz, storylines and players to follow.
Quarterback Competition Could Define Raiders' 2024 Season
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As you're certainly well aware, quarterback remains the most important position in the NFL. The Raiders are hoping that the competition between O'Connell and Minshew yields a quality starter in 2024.
There was some buzz ahead of the draft that Las Vegas would add a third signal-caller to the competition, and possibly as its quarterback of the future.
However, there was an early run on quarterbacks, with six of them off the board before the Raiders' selection at No. 13. A Las Vegas source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler after the draft that the Raiders were never truly interested in going after a quarterback.
"Everything else was smoke and mirrors," the source said, per Fowler. "We weren't going to reach or overpay for a QB. Never was a worry and nothing frantic."
Las Vegas will rely on either O'Connell or Minshew against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1. Both have cases for earning the starting gig.
O'Connell already knows the personnel and did show flashes as a rookie last season. Minshew made the Pro Bowl as an alternate with the Indianapolis Colts last season. Of course, both will be learning a new offense under new coordinator Luke Getsy.
The QB battle is likely to last through training camp and the preseason, but an early front-runner could, theoretically, start to pull away in minicamp.
Competition Along the Offensive Line Could Get Interesting
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The Raiders retained center Andre James this offseason but lost right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor. They also added Andrus Peat and Cody Whitehair before drafting Jackson Powers-Johnson and Delmar Glaze.
Whitehair, it's worth noting, played under Getsy with the Chicago Bears.
Powers-Johnson is widely expected to start at guard opposite Dylan Parham, while James and left tackle Kolton Miller retain their positions. Whitehair could push Powers-Johnson, though, and there could be an open competition between Glaze and Thayer Munford Jr. on the right side.
Munford, a 2022 seventh-round pick, might hold the early lead, however. Munford has reportedly impressed during OTAs.
"There are a lot of questions surrounding who will take over at right tackle, and Thayer Munford Jr. is making a strong case for himself," Levi Edwards of the team's official website wrote. "He had an exceptional day of practice in team period and individual drills, and a potential leap in Year 3 could be on the horizon."
While Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco represent a new regime, they're likely to care far less about when and how players arrived than about finding the best starting five. Pierce wants to build a physical identity, and fielding a powerful offensive line would go a long way.
The quarterback battle will undoubtedly draw most of the attention at minicamp, but the competitions at guard and right tackle could be equally important.
Brock Bowers Is Poised to Make an Instant Impact
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While Powers-Johnson and Glaze might make an impact this season, rookie tight end Brock Bowers is almost certain to do so. The Georgia product doesn't possess an archetypal tight-end frame (6'3", 243 lbs), but he's a legitimate playmaker at the position and arguably the best tight-end prospect in recent memory.
Bowers was the second-ranked prospect at any position in the B/R Scouting Department's final draft board. Early reports suggest that Getsy will find creative ways to get the ball into Bowers' hands this season.
"The tight end lined up in multiple spots in similar fashion to what he was accustomed to doing at Georgia, showcasing both his pass catching and rushing abilities," Edwards wrote.
That should come as good news for Raiders fans. While Getsy's Chicago offenses weren't always stellar, he did coax production from the tight end position. Cole Kmet racked up 719 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Getsy is also likely to get 2023 second-round pick Michael Mayer and free-agent addition Harrison Bryant involved. Utilizing Bowers' versatility, though, should help ensure that the rookie is on the field more often than not in 2024.
The Raiders probably won't tip their hand too much when it comes to offensive game-planning at minicamp. However, fans should still get an early glimpse at just how Bowers could be used in Year 1.
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