With the first-year pros reporting to Las Vegas this week, who should have the biggest chip on their shoulder?
School is back in session as the Las Vegas Raiders’ training camp is finally upon us. Much like freshman orientation, the rookies are the first to show up in Las Vegas, as they report Thursday.
While starting their NFL careers strong is important for every player, some rookies have more on the line this summer than others when it comes to fighting in position battles and for starting spots. So, which of the Raiders’ first-year pros have the most to prove during training camp?
Darien Porter
While the Iowa State product was viewed as a project coming out of college, Las Vegas is very young at cornerback, and both starting jobs are up for grabs. Porter will be competing with third-year pro Jakorian Bennett, free-agent signing Eric Stokes and second-year pro Decamerion Richardson for the two first-string spots.
So, the defense is counting on at least one of those inexperienced corners to step up this season, and ideally, it’d be the guy who was the team’s highest-drafted defensive player and has plenty of talent and potential.
Dont’e Thornton Jr.
Especially since Jack Bech hasn’t signed his rookie contract yet, Thornton has a great opportunity to prove he’s ahead of schedule. The fourth-round pick already exceeded expectations by working with the first-team offense during OTAs and minicamp, but he needs to keep that momentum going.
If he does, the Tennessee product could carve out a significant role this season. Not only will he be competing for targets and playing time with Bech this summer, but Thornton also has a chance to beat out Tre Tucker as the Raiders’ deep threat.
Cody Lindenberg
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Linebacker is an interesting position group for the Silver and Black during training camp. While the late addition of Germaine Pratt likely solidifies one starting spot on the second level of the defense, there will be competition for who lines up next to Pratt. Despite being a seventh-round pick, Lindenberg could fill that void by outplaying Elandon Roberts, Devin White, Tommy Eichenberg and Amari Gainer during training camp.
To be fair, that job is Roberts’ or White’s to lose, and Lindenberg is a long shot to win it. However, the Minnesota product still needs to have a good summer to land a spot on the 53-man roster. In addition to the backers named above, Jaylon Smith, Jailin Walker, Michael Barrett and Matt Jones will be fighting to fill out the depth chart.
Tommy Mellott
As a former college quarterback, the first thing Mellott will be looking to prove in camp is that he can cut it at a new position. The sixth-rounder is listed as a wide receiver, but the organization made it clear that he won’t be pigeonholed into one position and role on the team.
Especially with an innovative offensive coordinator like Chip Kelly, who is known for using receivers in the running game, Mellott should get plenty of opportunities to show what he can do with the ball in his hands. The Montana State product might line up at running back occasionally and will at least compete for return duties on special teams, giving him a lot to prove this summer.
Jah Joyner
Unlike the other players listed above, Joyner wasn’t selected in April’s draft, immediately putting a chip on his shoulder. On top of just making the team, the undrafted free agent has a chance to carve out a role on the defense. The Raiders could use a pass-rusher off the bench to turn to, and putting pressure on the quarterback is his specialty.
While Charles Snowden and Andre Carter II return from last season to compete for that job, Snowden and Carter didn’t do much a year ago. That leaves the door open for Joyner to win the position battle with a strong performance in training camp and the preseason.