Some 2nd-year players will be battling for spots
Let’s look how the Las Vegas Raiders 2024 rookie class was affected by this offseason’s moves and what to expect from them in 2025:
Brock Bowers:
Well, on the surface, nothing has changed Bowers’ status with this team this offseason and likely that will be the case for the next decade. Bowers is a major focal point of this offense, of course. But while nothing has changed for him at tight end, this offseason has affected him. The additions of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, quarterback Geno Smith and top two draft picks, Ashton Jeanty and Jack Bech, have given more firepower around Bowers. So, that should make his job easily because there will be lot more to account for. Now, in reality, Bowers numbers in 2025 could go down after the No. 13 overall pick had the greatest season by a rookie tight end in NFL history. He was an incredible record breaker. He finished the season with 112 catches for 1,194 yards and no rookie wide receiver ever even had as many catches as Bowers did. Bowers will improve as a player, but because of other options, his numbers could go down. But as long as the victories go up, who cares?
Jackson Powers-Johnson:
The word is Powers-Johnson , who started at center and guard as a second-round pick last season, will be competing with Dylan Parham, Jordan Meredith and Alex Cappa for three jobs —- the two guard spots and the starting center job with all but Cappa in the mix at center. Powers-Johnson will be a starter unless something crazy happens. It will very likely be at center, but the Oregon product is expected to be a centerpiece of the offensive line for the long haul.
D.J. Glaze:
The third-round pick may face some competition very quickly. He had a solid rookie season, but the new regime drafted offensive linemen Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant in the third round. Rogers may be best suited to play guard in the NFL, but he has played tackle. Grant is small-school project who may take time, but many scouts think he has a bright future at tackle. So, Glaze may get a chance to start early in 2025. It will be up to him to show the new staff he is capable of being in their future plans.
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Decamerion Richardson:
The fourth-round pick will compete for playing time, but he better make strides and adjust to Pete Carroll’s defense quickly. Carroll has brought in his own cornerbacks and Richardson was shaky last season. He could easily be buried if he isn’t careful.
Tommy Eichenberg:
The fifth-round pick from Ohio State played just 80 defensive snaps all season and none in the final eight games of the season as a rookie. His best chance to this year is the Raiders don’t have a lot of depth at linebacker But he need to impress or the new regime will give other young pa, such as seventh-round pick Cody Lindenberg, an opportunity.
Dylan Laube:
The sixth-round pick doesn’t really have to worry about the selection of fellow running back Ashton Jeanty as much as he does about sixth-round pick Tommy Mellott. Like Laube last year, Mellott was picked because he is versatile. The early plan for Mellott is for him to play wide receiver and be part of special teams. That could squeeze out Laube from a roster spot.
Trey Taylor:
Not much was done at safety that should affect Taylor. If he impresses the coaching staff, he should stick. If not, he’s probably going to be waived.
Not on roster
Seventh-round pick, cornerback M.J. Devonshire was cut. He was claimed by the Carolina Panthers.
Undrafted free agents:
Linebacker Amari Gainer, defensive tackle Jonah Laulu, safety Thomas Harper and wide receiver Ramel Keyton. The Raiders did add at defensive tackle, but Laulu, claimed off waivers from Indianapolis, did enough as a rookie to have a chance to stick around. The same goes for Harper. Gainer will be fighting for a spot, but he could stick as a special teamer again. Keyton was released.