Klint Kubiak is keeping the Las Vegas Raiders guessing as two key position battles remain unresolved. Which players will emerge as the starters?
Kubiak said Friday that the competitions at guard and cornerback are still live as far as his players know, even though he has already decided who will play. Asked whether he knows who will take the field, Kubiak answered, “I do.” Asked if the players know, he said they probably have a sense of their practice reps, but a player who doesn’t expect to be the guy can be in by the second snap. He added that moping or feeling sorry for yourself won’t help the player or the team.
Kubiak said he has been impressed with the group’s response this week, calling the Raiders “a very mature group” that understands winning takes excellent practices. He also said every guard and corner in the mix is a player for the team.
The message fits both position groups…
At guard, Spencer Burford, a veteran addition, has held the left side, and Jackson Powers-Johnson has been the right guard. Beat coverage has flagged the depth behind them as thin and a likely offseason priority. At corner, Eric Stokes, Darien Porter and Taron Johnson headed into the year as the projected starters. Hezekiah Masses has pushed up the chart and was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after the Chargers game, and second-round pick Treydan Stukes is another candidate for snaps.
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Keeping everyone unsure of their role protects against injuries. It also gives Kubiak an honest read on his depth.
The approach helps frame next spring’s roster and cap decisions. The reps young players earn now will show who can be counted on beyond this season. Expect Kubiak to rotate at least one corner and one guard early on. A player outside the projected starting group could also see a meaningful role by the second quarter.
Is keeping players guessing the right way to build depth on a team still finding its identity? Or should Kubiak settle his starters and let them build chemistry?
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