Oakland Raiders Preseason Week 2 Matchup Preview

The Oakland Raiders have two more practices in Napa, California, before heading to Alameda, with their second preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams wedged between the transition on Saturday.

Before labeling a player as an underachiever or an undrafted gem, it takes repeat performances to assess a fair outlook. Many spectators have already raised concerns about the pass defense after the first exhibition game.

The coaches work hard to rectify past issues, but real-time scenarios allow teams to test scheme tweaks and implement further adjustments. It's very similar to a company launching a new product to the masses. Everything operates smoothly behind closed doors under tight control, but outside variables will reveal secondary issues or basic faults. 

Against the Rams, players may take the field in different roles—some will take more or fewer snaps compared to the first preseason contest. Pay attention to individual improvements and experimental scheme designs. 

We'll delve a little deeper on who should go under a fine-focused microscope during Saturday's contest.

Is It Safe Enough for Derek Carr to See Action?

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The Raiders offensive line only allowed one sack against the Arizona Cardinals in their preseason-opener. Should the coaching staff feel comfortable putting quarterback Derek Carr on the field for a series or two?

In a Facebook Live session, NBCS Bay Area reporter Scott Bair responded to a question about starter reps at about the 13:57-mark. He expects the starters to play for possibly three series against the Rams but didn't specify if Carr falls into that category. 

Marshall Newhouse, Donald Penn's fill-in replacement, didn't surrender the lone sack against the Cardinals. He held his own and performed well against Shilique Calhoun at practice on Tuesday, per San Francisco Chronicle reporter Vic Tafur. 

To play it safe, the coaching staff could instruct Carr to hand off the ball at the first sign of trouble. Still, it's important for the $125 million man to take some reps, especially after suffering a season-ending leg injury on Christmas Eve. He doesn't necessarily need to take a hit, but a few snaps under center would put him back in game flow.

Gareon Conley Running, Sean Smith's Time Running Thin

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Rookie first-rounder Gareon Conley posted a photo on Instagram (h/t Bair) that shows his running shoes. The Bay Area reporter also saw the cornerback getting treatment for his shin in a subsequent video.

Conley's increased activity indicates another step toward his return to practice and an on-field debut in a Raiders jersey. Once the Ohio State product gains clearance to play, expect cornerback Sean Smith to see fewer snaps in preseason action. 

In Bair's Facebook Live session, at the 17-minute mark, he described Smith's performance on Tuesday as his best practice during training camp. The 30-year-old needs to show the coaching staff that he's not completely lost on the field with Conley on the mend. 

Smith followed poor practice sessions with subpar play against the Cardinals, drawing two penalties and giving up chunk yardage in coverage. He has a limited time period to redeem himself, but his snap count may drop after Saturday's game.

Obi Melifonwu Working His Way Back

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On Tuesday, rookie second-rounder Obi Melifonwu put the pads on but participated in limited action, per San Jose Mercury News reporter Jerry McDonald.

"Safety Obi Melifonwu got back on the field for warmups and a few drills but did little else," McDonald wrote.

It's too early to project Melifonwu's availability for Saturday's contest, but it's a positive to see him active on the practice field. The Connecticut product's return will also lessen Smith's reps—the veteran cornerback has taken reps as a hybrid linebacker in the dime sub-package, per Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Michael Gehlken. 

Once Melifonwu fully recovers, the experiment with Smith in the hybrid role may abruptly end as the rookie takes valuable reps for his development. It's ideal for the athletic safety to play against the Rams, but head coach Jack Del Rio has been careful with players on the mend.

Shilique Calhoun Needs a Statement Performance

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Without Khalil Mack or Bruce Irvin in action against the Cardinals, Calhoun didn't log a single tackle. Rookies Treyvon Hester and LaTroy Lewis flashed as pass-rushers in the Raiders' preseason debut with two sacks apiece.

Other than a noticeable bulk to his frame, per Jimmy Durkin of The Athletic, Calhoun hasn't stood out during training camp on the field. He's expected to rotate behind Mack and Irvin as an impact pass-rusher off the edge, but Lewis and James Cowser have upstaged the 2016 third-round pick at the position throughout the offseason program. 

Lewis and Cowser haven't locked themselves into roster spots. Nonetheless, both have flashed at some point during the summer, which is more than you can say about Calhoun. A timely performance against the Rams would put the Michigan State product back on the radar as a potential component to an improved front seven.

Will Shalom Luani Continue to Show Up Around the Football?

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Throughout camp, seventh-rounder Shalom Luani closed on the football for deflections. Silver and Black Pride writer Levi Damien and McDonald chronicled the safety's playmaking ability during practices. Still, fans didn't see the Washington State product in action to believe in his knack for tracking the football.

Against the Cardinals, Luani almost intercepted a pass in the end zone. Immediately, he garnered the spotlight on the back end among the backups. The rookie earned the highest individual grade in the Raiders' first preseason game, per Pro Football Focus. 

Known as a finesse safety due to coverage ability, Luani added some pop to his play with a big hit on running back DeAndre Washington during Tuesday's practice, per Damien.

According to Gehlken, Keith McGill's Jones fracture will require surgery, which opens an opportunity for Luani to secure a roster spot on special teams as well as at backup safety. With more snaps at a thin position, expect to see the seventh-rounder flash a few times as the Rams attempt to develop their wide receiver corps.

Elijah Hood Set to Debut

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The Raiders drafted running back Elijah Hood in Round 7 earlier this year, and many view him as the future bruising ball-carrier behind Marshawn Lynch due to similarities in downhill run style. However, the North Carolina product didn't log a single carry against the Cardinals. Instead, George Atkinson III handled five rushing attempts. Running back John Crockett ran the ball twice and scored on one possession. 

After Tuesday's practice, Del Rio revealed the reason for keeping Hood out of action.

"It was just a matter of being smart with him,” Del Rio said. “We had pushed him through the week and it just felt it was wise to get him closer to full speed this week."

Whether it's a rookie or veteran, the Raiders have been careful with minor injuries through the offseason program. Hood practiced with the team on Tuesday, per McDonald. Barring a setback, Crockett and Atkinson will yield snaps to Hood in the second half against the Rams.

With Lynch, Washington and Jalen Richard already established at running back, Atkinson, Hood and Crockett will compete for a fourth spot on the depth chart, which will double as a core special teams contributor.