Put up or shut up time for a few guys this fall
Heading into the 2025 campaign, the clock is ticking for some players and coaches on the Las Vegas Raiders’ roster. Whether it’s living up to their draft stock or clinging onto their NFL careers, a handful of Raiders are facing a make-or-break season.
Here, we’ll dive into a few guys who meet the criteria, outlining how they’ve gotten to this point, their situation on the depth chart, and what they need to prove this fall.
Tyree Wilson
Acquired via: 2023 No. 7 overall pick
It’s safe to say Wilson hasn’t lived up to being a top 10 draft pick so far. While he’s played in 33 out of 34 career games, he’s only made four career starts and has had nearly the impact Las Vegas hoped he’d have. The Texas Tech product has become a rotational player rather than a bona fide starter, and it’s hard to see that changing in 2025.
With Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce serving as the starting defensive ends, Wilson’s best chance to prove himself this season is by becoming the first defensive lineman off the bench. He has some position versatility to occasionally line up at defensive tackle and had a few solid performances last year, helping his cause moving forward. But the former top draft pick has to be more consistent or his time in Las Vegas could be coming to an end soon.
Devin White
Acquired via: 2025 Free agency
White is new to the Raiders but has been around the league for a while, entering his seventh season. He’s coming off a campaign where he played for two teams, getting released by the Philadelphia Eagles in early October before signing with the Houston Texans and participating in just seven games with one start for the Texans.
However, the veteran linebacker has a chance to start this fall with how thin the position group is for the Silver and Black. He’s only on a one-year deal, so proving himself as a starter could earn him a contract extension and stabilize his career. On the other end of the spectrum, White could find himself out of the league if he struggles to see the field again.
Patrick Graham
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Acquired via: Hired to Josh McDaniels’ coaching staff in 2022
To be fair, Graham hasn’t had much to work with talent-wise since he signed on with the Raiders and has done a decent job of getting the most out of his players. The 2023 campaign is a good example, as Las Vegas’ defense ranked ninth in points allowed despite the organization not spending much money on that side of the ball.
However, the coordinator’s units have ranked 26th and 25th in points allowed during his other two seasons in Las Vegas. Also, he’s been a DC for the last six years, leading the Miami Dolphins’ and New York Giants’ defenses as well, and has only finished with two top 10 defenses while ranking 23rd or lower four times. Graham has already survived two regime changes with the Raiders, but he might be on a short leash with Pete Carroll this season.
Dylan Parham
Acquired via: 2022 3rd round pick
Last year also felt like a make-or-break year for Parham, and he played well enough to buy himself some time and at least be in the mix for a starting spot this fall. However, with the Raiders signing Alex Cappa (also included on this list) and re-signing Jordan Meredith, the Memphis product will have to fight to retain his position on the depth chart.
Parham is entering a contract year and is two general managers removed from the one who drafted him, meaning the fourth-year pro could be on his way out of Las Vegas if he doesn’t solidify himself as a starter in 2025.
Alex Cappa
Acquired via: 2025 Free agency
Speaking of Cappa, while he signed a two-year deal this offseason, the contract has an out after this season. According to Over the Cap, the Raiders would only take on $1 million of dead cap space and would save over $5 million by cutting him next spring. On top of that, the veteran offensive lineman is coming off the worst year of his career, where he allowed the most pressures (51) and sacks (eight) among guards, according to Pro Football Focus.
So, the 30-year-old who turns 31 in January not only needs to secure a starting job this season, but he also needs to prove he’s still a reliable starter moving forward.
Tre Tucker
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Acquired via: 2023 3rd round pick
There’s plenty of reason to be optimistic about Tucker’s outlook this season, primarily because he finally gets to play with a quarterback who complements his skill set as a deep threat. Also, he showed improvement in 2024.
However, the wideout is entering year three and needs to prove that he’s capable of being a second or third option in the passing game. Las Vegas spent a fourth-round pick on Dont’e Thornton during last April’s draft, and Thornton can also take the top off a defense, heating up Tucker’s seat heading into the fall.
Michael Mayer
Acquired via: 2023 2nd round pick
Similar to Tucker, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Mayer’s outlook this season. He battled personal issues a year ago that forced him to step away from the team from Weeks 4 to 10, and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has a solid history of getting two tight ends involved in the offense.
So, there’s a chance the Notre Dame product takes a big step this fall and proves to be a strong second tight end behind Brock Bowers. However, heading into the campaign, Mayer has just 48 catches for 460 yards and two touchdowns in his career and hasn’t made a significant impact as a run blocker, giving himself something to prove in the fall.
Eric Stokes
Acquired via: 2025 free agency
Stokes is entering his first season with the Silver and Black and what could be his last chance to prove he’s a viable starting corner in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers’ 2021 first-round pick has 32 career starts, but has struggled over the last three years and was benched by the Packers last season.
In Las Vegas, the former Georgia Bulldog has one more chance to stay on top of the depth chart, but this may be his last opportunity to prove himself a first-stringer. Stokes will have to earn the role in training camp this summer, fending off young corners Jakorian Bennett, Darien Porter and Decamerion Richardson.