The Las Vegas Raiders began their final week of organized team activities on Monday and will have three more sessions this week to close things out before mandatory minicamp next week.
Las Vegas will have OTAs on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with Tuesday being open to the media, which will give us an inside look at practice. Players and coaches will be available to the media, as well. Then, the Raiders will start their three-day mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, June 11.
With this being the last week of OTAs, we’re taking a look at what to watch for over the final three days.
What to watch for
Who returns to practice?
The list of non-participants at least week’s open practice at OTAs was as follows: G Jackson Powers-Johnson, LT Kolton Miller, WR Davante Adams, WR Michael Gallup, WR Jalen Guyton, WR Jeff Foreman, WR Tulu Griffin, DT Matthew Butler, DT Nesta Jade Silvera, DT Marquan McCall, CB Cornell Armstrong, LB Darien Butler.
Miller, Adams, Gallup, Guyton, Griffin, Butler, and Jade Silvera didn’t participate the week prior, either, and Powers-Johnson left that session early due to injury. We’ll be keeping an eye out for all of these players this week.
Which rookies stand out?
The two rookies to stand out the most so far during OTAs are tight end Brock Bowers and running back Dylan Laube, each of whom made our two OTAs standouts articles (here and here) over the last few weeks.
We haven’t heard much about the others, though, a list that includes Powers-Johnson, who has been battling injury, offensive tackle DJ Glaze, cornerback Decamerion Richardson, linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, safety Trey Taylor and cornerback M.J. Devonshire. The UDFAs have been quiet, also.
Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re struggling, but it would be nice to see some positive reviews for the 2024 draft class this week.
Quarterback competition
This may not happen until training camp, but we will be watching to see if there’s any indication that either Gardner Minshew or Aidan O’Connell are getting more first-team reps than the other.
So far during OTAs, reps have been split between the two, and the defense got the better of both during the previous open session.
Other position battles
Quarterback isn’t the only position battle we’re watching.
The most high-profile competitions on offense include one of the guard spots and right tackle, the latter of which seems to be Thayer Munford’s to lose after a standout performance last week.
On defense, the No. 2 cornerback job is up for grabs, and the last we heard, it was Jakorian Bennett and Brandon Facyson getting first-team reps. We’ll see if the Raiders’ fourth-round pick, Richardson, can get involved.
