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The Three Position Battles To Watch For in Raiders Preseason Opener
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- The Three Position Battles To Watch For in Raiders Preseason Opener
The Raiders open the preseason with the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday. It will be the first time Las Vegas lines up against an opponent with Klint Kubiak in charge.
Kubiak has stated that 90 percent of the roster has yet to solidify their role on the team. However, most starting spots are already locked in. But preseason games will give some insight into players fighting for a chance to start in Week 1.
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Here are three position battles to look out for tomorrow.
Offensive Guard
Dec 7, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) leaves the field following a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
The Raiders have three players competing for the two starting guard spots. Spencer Burford and Jackson Powers-Johnson are the listed starters on the depth chart, but Caleb Rogers could take one of their spots.
In the last week of practice, Rogers has been rotating in as a starting right guard , taking snaps from Powers-Johnson. However, the Raiders listed Rogers as the backup left guard behind Burford. If either of Burford or Powers-Johnson slip up, Rogers is there to take their spot.
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The play of the guards might determine how good the offensive line is this season. The Raiders are getting left tackle Kolton Miller back from injury and signed center Tyler Linderbaum this offseason. Those two should anchor the line, but no one else is proven up front.
If none of Burford, Powers-Johnson or Rogers prove to be a capable starter, the offensive line will look bad, as it did last season. However, getting just average play from both guard spots would make this unit one of the most improved in the NFL .
Cornerback
May 20, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) and cornerback Darien Porter (26) warm up during organized team activities at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
There are two battles at cornerback for the Raiders. The first is for who will start opposite of Eric Stokes . Darien Porter and Hezekiah Masses are battling for one of the outside corner spots.
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Masses got snaps with the first team defense on the first day of training camp, but there are concerns about the rookie's size and ability to hold up as a run defender.
Porter is in his second season after playing in all 17 games last year. He wasn't much of a factor, as he failed to record an interception and only broke up three passes all year.
The other cornerback battle is down the depth chart, as Decamerion Richardson and Jermod McCoy are fighting to be Stokes' back up. Richardson is starting his third season in the NFL and hasn't made much of an impact for the Raiders. McCoy is a rookie taken in the fourth round, but has first-round talent.
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Wide Receiver
Dec 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) reacts after catching a pass against the Houston Texans during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor are essentially locked in as the top two wideouts. But the battle for the third spot is heating up.
Jack Bech , a 2025 second-round pick, was a massive disappointment last season and now needs to prove he was worth the high draft pick. Bech has taken most of his snaps with the first team offense, but has yet to make a mark on camp.
Malik Benson has been a standout in camp. The rookie was selected in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft . Despite being taken so late, he has a real chance to start the season as the Raiders third wide receiver.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
