With the preseason finale approaching, let’s take a look at one player from each side of the Las Vegas Raiders as they prepare to face the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday.
Tonight in Arizona, the Raiders will have their final preseason show, and it’s not about the stars. The starters will barely touch the field, if at all. Instead, the game is the final showcase for roster hopefuls fighting to prove they belong in Silver & Black.
Last week, as the backups checked in, the offense underwent a wholesale shuffle, while the defense remained largely intact, with many starters continuing to play due to the abundance of open positions. The uncertain situation surrounding the team makes this preseason finale a must-watch event, particularly on defense, where competition is intense and players’ futures will be determined under the desert lights.
Given all that, I’m particularly interested in watching a couple of players—one on each side of the ball.
Cam Miller—the Raiders quarterback of the future?
The Raiders’ quarterback room has been one of the more fascinating storylines of the preseason, and rookie Cam Miller is right at the center of it. Miller, a sixth-round pick from North Dakota State, initially drew attention with his strong performance in the preseason opener. He came in late in the game and showed poise while making impressive throws. However, football can be unforgiving. Last week, Miller’s progress came to a sudden halt. He failed to complete any of his four passes, took two sacks, and threw an interception—an outing that jeopardizes his chances of securing a roster spot.
Fans are not abandoning Miller’s hype train; in fact, many are enthusiastically joining. A recent community poll conducted by Bill Williamson of Silver and Black Pride revealed that nearly 60 percent of Raiders fans would prefer Miller over Aidan O’Connell as Geno Smith’s primary backup. This is a major difference from just two years ago. At that time, O’Connell was celebrated as a preseason favorite. In fact, he won over Raider Nation as a rookie. Miller now has the opportunity to capitalize on this shift in sentiment.
For Miller, tonight’s preseason finale in Arizona could be pivotal. The Raiders are unlikely to give him the No. 2 job outright. Still, a strong performance could boost the coaching staff’s confidence in his development. By doing so, Miller would secure his place in the program. And that’s whether he’s QB2, QB3, or on the practice squad. The reality is that the Raiders may still consider bringing in another veteran quarterback, but this is Miller’s opportunity.
Can Terrell Edmunds crack the roster?
The Raiders needed answers in their secondary, and they may have found one in Terrell Edmunds. When Lonnie Johnson Jr. went down with a broken fibula, the door swung open for a veteran replacement—and Edmunds walked right in. Signed earlier this month, the 6-foot-1, 217-pound safety has wasted no time getting acclimated, logging two weeks of practice and one final preseason shot to show he belongs in the rotation.
Edmunds is not merely a stand-in; he possesses a first-round pedigree and extensive battle experience. Drafted No. 28 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018, he’s played in 101 games with 79 starts across stints with the Steelers, Eagles, Titans, Jaguars, Chargers, and now the Raiders. That kind of résumé doesn’t just bring depth—it brings confidence.
Head coach Pete Carroll praised the pickup, noting Edmunds’ versatility: “He’s done all of the things—line of scrimmage, deep coverage, blitzing. He’s got a level of confidence that’s obvious. He’s right in the middle of competing for snaps.”
Edmunds is a reliable and intelligent player for a Raiders defense that is still determining its identity. His knack for quickly earning trust could be crucial in allowing Jeremy Chinn greater freedom and enhancing the secondary by introducing dependable playmakers.
Related: Raiders DE Maxx Crosby Shares A Commitment To The Claw
*Top Photo: Getty Images