Raiders' Biggest Questions to Answer in 2024 NFL Preseason
The Las Vegas Raiders answered a lot of questions this offseason. Antonio Pierce is getting his shot to be the head coach. Tom Telesco will be the one building the roster. They are going to continue to have a scary defensive line with the addition of Christian Wilkins.
There are still plenty of questions that still need to be answered, though.
Pierce did just enough to generate optimism last season. Building on it will be the hard part.
The Raiders preseason slate, which starts with a Saturday afternoon game against the Minnesota Vikings, will be where we get some of those answers. Real, live game action provides coaching staffs with something that can't really be replicated at practice and answers to some questions should become apparent.
Here's a look at three key questionst that should be answered in the preseason.
Who Is This Team's Starting Quarterback?
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Let's get it out of the way. The elephant in the room with this team is at the quarterback position. The Raiders are arguably the only team in the league that has a true quarterback battle on their hands in training camp.
Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew have been competing to become the starter since Minshew was acquired this offseason. Both had winning records as starting quarterbacks last season. However, both appear to have long-term limitations that could bring down their upside.
Fans will get a good look at what both can do in the preseason. Pierce already told media that Minshew and O'Connell would both see "a legit quarter" in the opener.
In general, O'Connell has the advantage within the structure of practice. He's a solid processor and goes where he's supposed to with the football. Meanwhile, Minshew has more ability to extend plays with his legs and make off-platform throws that can keep drives alive.
The preseason should give Minshew an opportunity to make up ground that he might lose during practices.
How Will the Wide Receiver Room Shake out?
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Not only do the Raiders have to figure out who is starting at quarterback, they need to figure out who is going to be catching the ball.
The top of the depth chart is easy to figure out. Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers are easily the top two wide receivers. They'll be joined on the field by tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer a lot.
After that, things get a little more murky.
Michael Gallup was supposed to be a veteran third receiver who could stretch defenses vertically. However, he retired before training camp got going. Tre Tucker flashed potential as a rookie, but he has reportedly struggled with drops In camp.
That's going to open the door for receivers to step up during the preseason and show that they can get on the field. Players like Kristian Wilkerson and DJ Turner could earn themselves a roster spot and more if they can go out and perform in the preseason.
Some of the depth issues at wide receiver are going to be covered by running a lot of 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends). But this team is one Adams or Meyers injury away from being in big trouble at the position.
What Can These Rookies Do?
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One of the first things that jumps out when you look at the Raiders first unofficial depth chart is the number of rookies who show up on the two-deep.
There are six rookies who are either listed as a starter or the first backup on the depth chart. If the Raiders really wind up having six rookies that are starters or rotational players that is going to be a slam dunk draft class for Tom Telesco.
The preseason will be the first indication of what the class can actually do. Brock Bowers is a no-brainer starter already and it wouldn't be surprising to see him be limited in the preseason.
The rest, however, need the experience to prove they can handle a role in the regular season. The defensive backs will be of particular interest. Decamerion Richardson is listed behind Jakorian Bennett at outside corner while M.J. Devonshire is the backup slot behind Nate Hobbs.
Richardson could have a shot at unseating Bennett as the starter with a strong preseason.
The offensive line is another unit to watch for the rookies. Jackson Powers-Johnson has been out with a shoulder injury but he'll be competing to start at left guard when he comes back. DJ Glaze isn't likely to overtake Thayer Munford for the right tackle spot, but he could prove himself as the team's swing tackle with a good preseason showing.
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