5 Oakland Raiders Who Deserve More Snaps Down the Stretch

The Oakland Raiders’ fleeting playoff hopes will lead to an extensive in-season evaluation on talent.

The Raiders have several rookies and undeveloped players who could play vital roles on the field in 2016.

This season, some players will earn extended snaps due to injuries. Two veteran starters have disappointed over the course of the season; both should yield snaps to rookies. 

Two offensive skill players have impressed in minimal roles and deserve more opportunities in action. 

Head coach Jack Del Rio has shown flexibility with the depth chart, increasing reps in response to solid play. Now it’s time to find hidden roster gems or fully examine talent with a wider scope.

Who’s due for an uptick in snaps? Who will make a strong lasting impression in the final four games?

LB Ben Heeney

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In the offseason, the linebacker corps oozed with talent. Through 12 games, attrition has stripped the position down to its bare bones.

The front office sent Sio Moore to the Indianapolis Colts for a sixth-round pick. The league suspended Aldon Smith for a calendar year, starting November 18. Del Rio told local reporters rookie Neiron Ball’s knee injury could threaten the remainder of his rookie campaign.

When examining overall grades, Curtis Lofton has disappointed as a starting inside linebacker, per Pro Football Focus.

By default, Ben Heeney’s snaps should nearly double over the next four games for multiple reasons.

The Raiders don't owe Lofton guaranteed money in the next two years of his contract, per spotrac.com. He could be released and replaced without a residual cap hit. Smith will miss nearly half of the 2016 season on suspension. Ball’s injury history will force the Raiders to maintain depth at the position. 

Heeney impressed during the preseason. He still needs work in coverage situations but possesses the agility Lofton lost over the years.

DE/LB Benson Mayowa

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Defensive lineman Benson Mayowa played one season with the Seattle Seahawks under Ken Norton Jr., when Norton served as a linebackers coach. Mayowa then signed with the Raiders in 2014.

Thus far, Norton hasn’t been able to figure out Mayowa’s strengths on the field. The third-year defensive lineman’s skill set remains a mystery.

Is he a strong-side linebacker or a defensive end? Does he provide pressure as a pass-rusher or seal the edge as a run-stopper?

Mayowa missed the first four games of the season with a knee injury, which delayed his progression. He never established his role with minimal opportunities (165 snaps) at outside linebacker.

Denico Autry has played well enough to justify his high snap count at defensive end.

However, the injuries at linebacker should lead to more opportunities for Mayowa. He’ll become a restricted free agent in the offseason. It’s time to figure out what he contributes to the defense.

RG Jon Feliciano

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The J’Marcus Webb experiment isn’t working out as planned. He grades as one of the worst offensive guards in the league at minus-12.5, per Pro Football Focus.

Webb played himself out of a starting position with the Chicago Bears after three seasons. He started one game for the Minnesota Vikings in two seasons and signed with the Raiders in the offseason as a late addition to the competition at right guard.

In Chicago, offensive line coach Mike Tice couldn’t improve Webb’s talent as an offensive tackle. Now, he’s struggling as an interior lineman.

It’s time to focus on rookie right guard Jon Feliciano as the present and future talent at the position. He’s taking a backseat to a perpetual struggling veteran on the field. Webb has allowed the most quarterback hurries (18) among the Raiders offensive linemen. 

A quick switch could also help the ground attack. Running back Latavius Murray needs a mauler on his right side to widen lanes between the guard and center.

TE Clive Walford

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Rookie tight end Clive Walford has surpassed Mychal Rivera as an end-zone threat. Through 12 games, Walford has logged three touchdown catches. Rivera continues to look for his first score.

This season, the coaching staff has started the rookie in two games. The third-year veteran took the field as a backup in every contest.

There’s no doubt Walford will take over as the most dynamic talent at the position, and the transition should occur before the season ends.

A strong rapport between quarterback Derek Carr and Walford will bring matchup nightmares to defenses in 2016.

FB Jamize Olawale

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According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Raiders front office opted to extend fullback Jamize Olawale’s contract through the 2018 season.

The Raiders opened the checkbook for a player who accumulated 180 yards from scrimmage. The coaching staff values Olawale’s skill set as a tough ball-carrier and receiver out of the backfield. Therefore, he should see more than two carries per game. 

The fourth-year fullback registered two carries in the last two games in a forgetful role within the offense. The front office felt the need to re-sign him with Marcel Reece still under contract for another year, which suggests the team plans to lean on the youth at fullback.

Olawale didn’t score the big bucks compared to other offensive skills players, but he’s definitely due for more opportunities on the field going forward.

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All statistics are provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com, Pro Football Focus and Team Rankings, unless otherwise noted.

Raiders roster transactions provided by Raiders.com.