With their first preseason coming on Saturday, the Las Vegas Raiders released their first depth chart of the season. Does it tell the full story? Obviously not. Still, there is some foreshadowing of what we could expect in this first game. Perhaps no position will have a bigger spotlight than the quarterbacks.
Antonio Pierce has stated that the team’s starters will participate in the preseason, which is unusual for most NFL teams. Comparatively, almost all starters did not participate in the Hall of Fame game last week between the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears. Identifying the starters on the roster should be the primary focus. As the preseason progresses, the depth might change significantly.
Raiders QB Battle: Gardner Minshew vs. Aidan O’Connell
The primary unanswered question heading into this season for the Raiders has been the quarterback position. To date, nobody has earned the starting position because of their superior play. Antonio Pierce spoke upon this in a presser recently.
“It is time to make that leap,” Pierce said. “Stop with the baby steps and grab the bull by the horns.”
On Saturday, these two will face other defenses for the first time. Can the offense thrive with one of them in charge? There have been many reports that the offense has struggled to perform in practice.
Jakorian Bennett starting over Brandon Facyson
One of the largest question marks on defense is the other cornerback position. Obviously, Jack Jones is a playmaker and deserves his role. However, what player will take another step to fulfill the other cornerback spot?
Jakorian Bennett definitely struggled in his rookie season but is looking to bounce back and improve. He definitely possesses outstanding ball skills and blazing speed. He has all of the tools to be a successful defensive back, but will they translate to the NFL?
Brandon Facyson is a decent cornerback who shows outstanding flashes at times. He contributed for the Raiders in 2021 but has since battled injuries. Despite not starting on this depth chart, he certainly has the potential to do so later in the season.
Cody Whitehair over Jackson Powers-Johnson
Jackson Powers-Johnson, a center from Oregon, is one of the best offensive line prospects from the draft. The main issue that continues to recur is his injury history. Sadly, the Raiders have not seen Powers-Johnson’s potential because of his inability to stay healthy.
This depth chart reveals that he may not have solidified his starting position because Cody Whitehair is ahead of him. Hopefully his injury (which is currently undisclosed) can heal before the season starts. Despite his injury, Kolton Miller maintains his starting position.
Saturday will be the largest test to the depth chart and answer more questions fans may have. The primary focal point to watch is the overall production of the offense. Can the linemen protect their quarterbacks so that they can make passes? On top of that, which quarterback will thrive in this current situation?
*Top Photo: The Raider Ramble
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