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Three Raiders Training Camp Surprises That Could Reshape Roster
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- Three Raiders Training Camp Surprises That Could Reshape Roster
Candice Ward-Imagn Images Candice Ward-Imagn Images
The Las Vegas Raiders completed one week of training camp, and on Monday, they put on pads for the first time this offseason. As expected, the players turned up the intensity in full gear.
Though the Raiders have plenty more practices this summer, reporters have already seen position battles take shape as some players shine on the practice field. Others find themselves in an uphill climb for a lead position or even a roster spot.
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Las Vegas can also leverage standout performers in trade talks if the coaching staff feels comfortable with the depth at certain positions.
Let's examine a few surprises that could shake up the roster for the upcoming season. The Raiders could be active on the trade market, and one undrafted rookie has a pathway to a starting role.
Raiders trade quarterback Aidan O'Connell
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Within the first week of training camp, spectators, particularly Raiders Nation Radio host JT The Brick, noticed something different about Aidan O'Connell .
The Raiders acquired Geno Smith from the Seattle Seahawks and signed him to a two-year, $75 million extension. Smith will be the team's starting quarterback in Week 1.
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Las Vegas may have a valuable backup signal-caller in O'Connell, who could generate trade buzz closer to the final roster cutdown date on Aug. 26. If so, the Raiders may be able to get a middle-round pick for the fourth-rounder from the 2023 draft.
With Smith locked into the starting position, O'Connell's trade value isn't going to increase over time. In 20 games (17 starts), he's thrown for 3,830 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with a 62.6% completion rate.
When you couple O'Connell's solid career numbers with his strong impression on the new regime at training camp, he could be an attractive trade candidate for a team that wants a reliable backup. If the Raiders accept an offer for him, rookie sixth-rounder Cam Miller would become the No. 2 quarterback.
Raiders trade cornerback Jakorian Bennett
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At the end of last week, Jakorian Bennett dropped further in the pecking order among cornerbacks.
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For most of the spring, Bennett practiced with the second-team defense. Las Vegas Review-Journal's Vincent Bonsignore noted that the third-year cornerback lined up primarily with the third-stringers last Sunday.
"Veteran Eric Stokes and [Darien] Porter had gotten the bulk of the first-team reps over the first three days, with Decamerion Richardson and Jakorian Bennett lining up as the second-team perimeter cornerbacks," Bonsignore wrote.
"That changed in a significant way Sunday when Richardson took the bulk of the first-team reps over Porter, and JT Woods replaced Bennett on the second-team defense. The majority of Bennett's work was with the third team."
Bonsignore mentioned the size difference between Bennett, who's listed at 5-foot-10, 200 pounds, and the 6-foot defensive backs the team added to the roster.
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Perhaps the coaching staff wants a longer look at the newcomers, but Bennett's absence from the rotation among first-stringers behind Stokes, Porter, and Richardson indicates he has ground to make up to win one of the starting cornerback jobs.
Bennett has played in 24 games, starting in 11 of them, and had a strong start last year before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. If he doesn't reclaim a lead role, the Raiders could look to move him rather than watch his trade value drop as a backup.
Greedy Vance wins battle for slot cornerback position
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Greedy Vance could further shake up the cornerback group if he takes over as the primary slot cornerback.
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Through the spring, safety Jeremy Chinn took notable reps in the slot. While he's still arguably the best nickelback on the roster, the Raiders may allow Vance an opportunity to blossom in that role.
In the final practice before the players put pads on, Vance recorded the only interception (h/t KTNV's Taylor Rocha).
After two collegiate seasons as a boundary cornerback at Louisville , Vance moved to the slot for two years at Florida State and one at USC . According to Pro Football Focus, he played 931 snaps in the slot and 625 snaps on the outside in five collegiate campaigns.
With Vance's experience on the inside, he may be the undrafted free agent who has the best chance to make the 53-man roster and earn a prominent role on defense. If he does, fifth-year veteran Darnay Holmes could be expendable, and Chinn would see fewer snaps in the slot and remain a fixture at safety.
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Maurice Moton covers the Raiders for Sportsnaut. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton .
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