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2 Raiders That Surprised the Front Office During Training Camp
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- 2 Raiders That Surprised the Front Office During Training Camp
The Raiders have a young roster that is desperate for improvement. While certain players generated buzz throughout training camp, two defensive linemen impressed the front office.
General manager John Spytek was impressed with a veteran added late in the offseason.
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"I'll give some respect and some props to Patrick Johnson," Spytek said. "This is a guy we signed on the eve of training camp. Credit to our pro department for setting up that workout and bringing quality guys in like him."
Johnson has been in the NFL for the past five seasons, but has never been much more than a depth piece. He's played 523 snaps on defense in his career compared to 1,328 on special teams.
But Johnson is not completely buried on the depth chart. With Keyron Crawford lost for the season , Johnson is the fourth defensive end on the roster. Maxx Crosby , Kwity Paye and Malcolm Koonce slot in ahead of him.
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But it was a special teams snap that sealed Johnson's roster spot.
"The last preseason game is the 49ers, and it's a make or break game for a lot of guys," Spytek said. "Who makes the first tackle on the first kickoff? It's Patrick Johnson."
Hemingway is quietly climbing the depth chart
Assistant general manager Brian Stark highlighted a potential starter.
"One of the players I am most impressed with is Tonka Hemingway ," Stark said. "A player that we drafted last year. A tireless worker, very committed, had an excellent offseason. He has worked himself into a spot where he has a chance to start."
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Hemingway was a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He surged up the depth chart during training camp and played with the starting defense in the final preseason game.
Las Vegas didn't address the defensive tackle position in the offseason, leaving any improvement up to the players on the roster. Hemingway could be making a second-year leap that helps the Raiders now and in the future.
One of the biggest keys to the Raiders' rebuild will be finding young talent. The first round of the draft is the easiest place to do so. Spending a bunch of money in free agency, like making Tyler Linderbaum the highest-paid center in the NFL, should be helpful too.
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But there are only so many first-round picks. And there is a salary cap. If players drafted in later rounds like Hemingway can become legitimate NFL starters, the Raiders could be contending quicker than expected.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
