Although the Las Vegas Raiders finished their preseason with a 0-2-1 record, it was still a successful period for the Silver and Black. Head coach Antonio Pierce was given the time he needed to see what he had in his two quarterbacks before eventually naming Gardner Minshew QB1 in Sin City. Pierce also had the chance to see his rookie class play in a scrimmage game for the first time.
Stars blossomed in unexpected places as undrafted free agent Amari Gainer and return specialist Tyreik McAllister asserted their dominance on the field. Edge rusher Janarius Robinson proved the Raiders do indeed have depth at edge. Second-year cornerback Jakorian Bennett flashed his potential as he broke up two of the three passes his way in preseason.
By the preseason’s end, Las Vegas seemed to have more talent on their roster than they knew what to do with.
On Tuesday, the Raiders announced their first assortment of such talent via their first depth chart of the 2024 regular season. Three things in particular are worth noting.
Las Vegas Raiders first depth chart of 2024 NFL regular season: Three things to note
It’s impossible to gloss over the fact that second-round rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson will not begin the 2024 season as a starter.
Have no fear, Raider Nation; this is not due to poor performances.
Powers-Johnson nursed a shoulder injury that caused him to miss the entirety of this year’s preseason. In his absence, Cody Whitehair – the veteran offensive lineman who will begin the season as the Raiders’ starting left guard – ran with the starters under Luke Getsy, who Whitehair spent the ’22 and ’23 seasons with in Chicago.
This sparks the question, will Powers-Johnson start when he’s ‘up to speed’ with things?
It’s certainly possible, but it’s not a given. The familiarity and trust built between Getsy and Whitehair mean something. Powers-Johnson still has to earn that trust.
Either way, it’s hard to imagine rolling with Powers-Johnson in 2025 and beyond isn’t the plan. The rookie is the future, but don’t be surprised if Whitehair is the present.
Two TE1s are better than one
The Silver and Black drafted a tight end in the second round, or earlier, in back-to-back drafts. They plan on utilizing both as often as possible, too.
Luke Getsy’s love for 12-personnel sets is well-documented at this point. That being the case, it isn’t shocking the Raiders announced two starting tight ends on their first depth chart of the regular season.
Although the direction isn’t unexpected, it’s still worth noting how Las Vegas plans to operate their offense in 2024.
The same, but different
While Michael Mayer and Brock Bowers both play the tight end position, they are completely different players. Mayer, a 6′ 4″, 265-pound specimen, is built to excel in an in-line tight end role. Bowers, who clocked a 4.53 40-time, is best suited for a hybrid role that allows him time in the slot.
During his final season at Georgia, Bowers lined up in the slot 47.9% of the time. This percentage was higher than his 38.2% of in-line snaps in 2023. He totaled 266 yards and three touchdowns when in the slot, earning the highest quarterback rating when targeted on the team at 146.9.
And while Mayer is best built as an in-line tight end at the NFL level, the Notre Dame alum has experience in the slot as well. During his final collegiate season, Mayer spent 45% of his time lined up at slot.
However, Mayer’s 82.1 run blocking grade via Pro Football Focus stands well taller than Bower’s mark of 67.9. Such a combination of blocking ability and size make Mayer best suited for lining up alongside an offensive line, while lining Bowers up at different positions will take advantage of his incredible athleticism.
The two bring something different to the table for the Raiders, and Luke Getsy plans to capitalize on that.
Undrafted receiver continues to climb Las Vegas Raiders’ ranks
Despite going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, Ramel Keyton forced his way onto Las Vegas’ 53-man roster. Now, he’s listed as the team’s fourth-string receiver behind Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker.
Prior to the Raiders’ first preseason contest, Antonio Pierce noted he requested Keyton run with the 2s in practice. The rookie will maintain that place on the depth chart as the regular season begins.
Keyton caught five passes for 84 yards during the regular season. Each of his five catches resulted in a first down for the Raiders.
The team’s final preseason game is where he did most of his damage. Against the 49ers in Week 3, Keyton hauled in four passes for 76 yards. He was given a grade of 75.8 for his efforts; the second-highest grade on the team, behind only Tyreik McAllister who notched 56 yards and a touchdown on two receptions.
McAllister, along with D.J. Turner, joined Keyton on the 53-man roster to make up a receiving room which consists of six players. Will the rookie be able to keep his spot over his two speedster position mates?
*Top Photo: Getty Images
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