Who did themselves a favor, and who hurt themselves during the spring practices?
The Las Vegas Raiders’ roster and depth chart are starting to take shape as the Raiders wrapped up OTAs and minicamp last week. Getting through the spring practices means we have passed the team’s last phase before training camp at the end of July, so let’s dive into some winners and losers from OTAs and minicamp.
WINNER: Dont’e Thornton
While many (myself included) expected Thornton to be a developmental player who is a year or two away from being a significant contributor, it sounds like he’s ahead of schedule. According to The Athletic’s Tashan Reed, the Tennessee product reportedly “made his fair share of big plays” and has been routinely working with the first-team offense.
As a result, Thornton is ahead of fellow rookie Jack Bech, who many considered to be the “pro-ready” wideout of the two. It’s also worth noting that the second-round pick is the only member of the 2024 draft class who hasn’t signed his rookie contract yet, as of June 16.
LOSER: Christian Wilkins
Injuries suck and it’s hard to hold them against players. However, OTAs confirmed that Wilkins suffered a setback in the foot injury that caused him to spend the majority of last season on injured reserve. That forced him to sit out the entire spring and has cast some doubt on his availability during training camp.
The good news is that the seven-year veteran isn’t someone who needs tons of reps this time of year, and the Raiders are hopeful he’ll be back by August, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore. Regardless, it’s not exactly comforting that Wilkins wasn’t out there, especially since he figures to be a key piece of Las Vegas’ defense.
WINNER: Alex Cappa
Cappa was signed in free agency to compete for one of the Silver and Black’s two starting guard spots. After the spring practice sessions, it appears he’s pulled away from the competition, as Reed noted the veteran is “likely to be the starter” at right guard this season.
The early reports suggest the real position battle is between Dylan Parham and Jordan Meredith on the left side, and Parham suffered an injury that sidelined him during part of OTAs and minicamp, further boosting Cappa’s odds to start.
On a related note, Thayer Munford Jr. could be a surprise contender in the competition as he’s been taking reps on the inside after lining up at tackle during his first three years in Las Vegas.
LOSER: Tommy Eichenberg
Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
On an episode of The Morning Tailgate, Bonsignore told Silver and Black Pride’s Marcus Johnson that rookie seventh-round pick Cody Lindenberg has been wearing the green dot for the second-team defense and appears to be ahead of Eichenberg on the depth chart. So, Lindenberg could also be considered a ‘winner’, but the second-year pro gets the callout as a ‘loser’ since his roster spot could be in jeopardy.
On top of falling behind the rookie, the 2024 fifth-rounder now has to compete with Germaine Pratt, who was picked up at the end of the spring practice sessions. Especially since Elandon Roberts and Devin White took the majority of the first-team reps during OTAs and minicamp, it feels like Eichenberg is closer to being on the chopping block than cracking the starting lineup.
This isn’t the regime that drafted him, which could make it easier for the coaching staff to cut bait if things don’t change this summer.
WINNER: Leki Fotu
After battling injuries and playing just two games for the New York Jets last season, Fotu appears to be in store for a much bigger role for the Raiders this year. He was firmly entrenched in the starting lineup this spring, taking reps as the 1-technique in even fronts and at nose tackle in odd fronts, according to Reed.
We’ll see if that sticks when Wilkins returns, but right now, Fotu has a good chance to crack the starting lineup or at least carve out a significant role in the defensive line rotation. The defense doesn’t have many other options at nose with the roster as is.
LOSER: Jakorian Bennett
Bennett was expected to be the team’s No. 1 cornerback heading into OTAs and minicamp since he showed promise last season and the organization moved on from Jack Jones. However, the third-year pro spent most of his time working with the second team this spring, per Reed.
To be fair, the coaching staff chalked that up to Bennett recovering from the shoulder injury that prematurely ended his 2024 campaign. However, there were no pads on this spring, and he was still participating in practice, making those comments a little head-scratching.
Also, the Maryland product isn’t a perfect fit for head coach Pete Carroll’s typical size thresholds at cornerback. Meanwhile, Eric Stokes and Darian Porter are, and those two took the majority of the first team reps on the perimeter of the defense.
Training camp will be more telling, of course, but it appears as if Bennett’s standing in the secondary isn’t as high as once thought.