Depth used to be the Las Vegas Raiders‘ problem. Now it’s their plan.
The best teams in the NFL have not only quality starters but also quality backups. The Raiders have struggled with this in recent years, constantly rotating coaches and general managers, which has left players who are not always a perfect fit for the new philosophy. This offseason, though, marked a change: for the first time in a long time, multiple players are competing for starting positions.
That competitive mindset is showing up in the trenches, too. Some of the Raiders’ draft picks have not lived up to their potential. Still, General Manager John Spytek has managed to build a competitive roster up front. That approach was clear from the start of training camp. The team brought in both Fernando Mendoza and Kirk Cousins to challenge Aidan O’Connell for the starting quarterback job. With three players in the mix, every quarterback had to put his best foot forward to win the position.
Despite not being a championship contender, Las Vegas is on the right track.
O-Line depth just got stronger with Evan Neal
After being drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Evan Neal struggled to develop into a starting offensive tackle. That struggle was part of a larger problem: the offensive line was the Raiders’ largest question mark last season. Neal was eventually released by the New York Giants, but his upside was enough to land him a spot on the Las Vegas practice squad. The Alabama alum will likely continue his development within the interior offensive line.
That move adds a new layer of competition up front, and it means Jackson Powers-Johnson and Spencer Burford are no longer guaranteed their starting spots. Caleb Rogers has also emerged as a potential piece of this young offensive line. Together, that added depth makes the offensive trenches far less vulnerable to injuries.
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Maxx Crosby has an abundance of help
Another addition after roster cuts was Azeez Ojulari, another former Georgia Bulldog. He joins Kwity Paye, a veteran pass rusher brought in to bolster the edge, as younger talents look to make their mark this season. On the interior, Tonka Hemingway and Adam Butler look to be the starters, though last season’s trade for Thomas Booker IV boosts the floor of this position group even further.
That depth matters most for Maxx Crosby. “The Condor” needs a reliable backup more than ever. The perennial Pro Bowler has battled a series of lower-body injuries, and his snap count will likely decrease this season. On the bright side, Malcolm Koonce and Patrick Johnson give the Raiders the ability to field a competent rotation on the defensive line.
Las Vegas obviously still needs more blue-chip players across the roster. Even so, the team is built to win in the trenches for the first time in a long time.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images