While the Las Vegas Raiders’ defense stands to be very good in 2024 following an upstart season in 2023, there is no shortage of concerns about the other side of the ball.
Much of the attention centered on the Raiders’ quarterback spot this offseason, which fans were hoping would see a splash addition. However, the Raiders didn’t make what can be considered a huge signing, nor did they draft a quarterback.
But the quarterback position isn’t the only one that carries concerns. Knowing that, let’s go position by position to see what the current concern level (ranging from none to high) is at each, and what’s behind it.
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Raiders’ concern level at each position
Quarterback: Medium
At worst, I think Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell will be serviceable starters capable of getting the Raiders to the playoffs. After all, both almost led their teams to the postseason in 2023, so there’s a track record there.
The problem, of course, is that neither may be the true difference-makers Las Vegas needs to do bigger things. Minshew is more of a sure thing in terms of being able to operate the offense to a respectable level, but O’Connell brings more hope with him after a small sample size from 2023 that saw positives and negatives.
The Raiders will be competitive regardless of who starts, mostly thanks to their defense, and they’ll have a good backup situation with whoever loses the starting battle. But right now, it remains to be seen if either can help lead the Raiders to a deep playoff run — or even just a playoff win — if they get there.
Running back: Medium
Zamir White had a very strong finish to last season, but his sample size is too small to make a judgement on. The Raiders brought in Alexander Mattison, who is a very good backup but failed in a starting role last season.
Ameer Abdullah is an experienced backup and a solid No. 3 option. If the Raiders do carry a fourth back, rookie Dylan Laube figures to land in that spot, and I think it’s possible Laube pushes for the No. 3 role.
Wide receiver: Low
The Raiders have one of the better one-two punches in the NFL at the top of the depth chart in Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers. However, there are some question marks behind those two, which is a concern in the event of injury.
Battling it out for the No. 3 role is Michael Gallup, Tre Tucker and Jalen Guyton. Tucker showed flashes of being a deep threat last season but has to develop into a more complete receiver. Guyton has battled injuries the past two years and hasn’t done much, and Gallup’s once-promising career has taken a nosedive since 2020.
The good news is, none of the three are needed for a starting role and all present a solid option for the No. 3 receiver job. But the No. 3 receiver job in this offense does not mean the No. 3 option in the passing attack, as Brock Bowers and/or Michael Mayer could have a more prominent role than those receivers.
Tight end: None
Even before drafting Bowers, the Raiders were in good shape at the position, with guys like Mayer and Harrison Bryant set to take the top-two spots on the depth chart. Now, with Bowers, the Raiders are rock-solid.
As we just said, Bowers and Mayer are good enough to be the No. 3 and No. 4 options in the passing attack, and both can block, although Mayer figures to be stronger in that area. Both will be solid red-zone options, also, as will Bryant.
Offensive line: Medium
Kolton Miller and Andre James are two of the better players at their positions in the NFL, and Dylan Parham played well enough in 2023 to have high hopes for him in 2024.
There are some question marks, though. Jackson Powers-Johnson figures to take one of the starting guard spots but he’s unproven, and Thayer Munford stands to start at right tackle after a lackluster showing in 2023.
The good news is, the Raiders have brought in some solid veteran depth options in Cody Whitehair and Andrus Peat. Whitehair is a serviceable guard and center, and Peat has experience at both guard and left tackle, and he can probably step in at right tackle if needed. If not for those two, the concern level would be higher.
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