Raiders' Top Players to Watch in Preseason Opener
The revamped Las Vegas Raiders will soon hit another milestone in their preparations for the 2024 season. The first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings is Saturday, August 10.
The Raiders are bringing back a good portion of the 2023 team that finished on a 5-4 streak after Antonio Pierce took over as interim head coach. Now that he's shed the "interim" part of that title, this is the official beginning of a new era.
Everyone is getting something of a fresh start with Tom Telesco coming in as general manager. That means that performing throughout training camp and the preseason games could be critical as Pierce's coaching staff and Telesco's front office will be analyzing these players thoroughly.
With that in mind, we'll highlight three players to watch who could find this test particularly important.
Edge Tyree Wilson
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Tyree Wilson has a lot to prove after an underwhelming rookie season. Lofty expectations come with being the No. 7 overall pick and Wilson had a hard time playing up to his draft pedigree.
After missing most of the preseason last season with a foot injury, he played all 17 regular season but struggled to make an impact. He had just 3.5 sacks and 11 total pressures.
Meanwhile, Malcolm Koonce enjoyed a breakout season and might the be the team's second-best pass-rusher for the foreseeable future.
The good news is that Wilson was partially drafted so high for his versatility. There's a way to get Maxx Crosby, Koonce and Wilson all on the field at the same time if the situation calls for it.
The best case to make for Wilson is that being healthy during training camp and the preseason should give him the opportunity to get better and show what he can do.
Crosby and Koonce aren't likely to get much run, if any, against the Vikings. That leaves Wilson with reps to prove himself.
WR Tulu Griffin
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Preseason games are really beneficial for those fighting for a roster spot. Tulu Griffin is a bit of a deep cut, but he's an undrafted free agent so a preseason game could make or break his hopes of making the initial 53-man roster.
Griffin is probably the UDFA with the best shot of making the roster. The receiver room has become thinner with Michael Gallup deciding to retire and Jalen Guyton hanging out on the PUP list.
Griffin has a shot to make the roster because of his return ability too. The NFL's new kickoff format should bring added value for players who can create yardage in the open field and Griffin had two kick return touchdowns at Mississippi State.
With 4.43 speed in the 40 and solid route running skills, Griffin should have the opportunity to shine against the Vikings and strengthen his case to be on the roster.
CB Decamerion Richardson
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Cornerback will be one of the most intriguing positions to track throughout the preseason for the Raiders. Jack Jones locked up a starting role based on his 2023 season and Nate Hobbs will man the slot.
That leaves an opening on the boundary and a reserve hierarchy that needs to be established.
Second-year player Jakorian Bennett and veteran Brandon Facyson are the primary competitors for that starting job. But Vincent Bonsignore of The Las Vegas Review-Journal threw out another name to watch in the position battle in fourth-round rookie Decamerion Richardson.
Antonio Pierce also add fuel to the Richardson hype train fire.
"What I see is somebody that's constantly growing," Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said, per Bonsignore. "Our special teams coach loves him. I mean, he brings an element of speed and toughness there that you just can't coach with that length and speed. And on defense, I mean, we want to be in your face, and he has everything that you need to play that position at corner."
It's one thing to stand out in training camp in a practice environment against teammates. It's another to do it against a live-action opponent in a game setting. We'll see if Richardson can keep building the momentum in a preseason game.
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