The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off a 4-13 season where they ended up selecting 6th overall and taking Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. Last year saw the impact of a quality 2024 rookie class with TE Brock Bowers being named an All-Pro and offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze headlining the Raiders offensive line at center and right tackle. After those three, the class saw little impact with defensive backs Decamerion Richardson (4th round), Trey Taylor (7th round), and MJ
Devonshire (7th round) making little impact with Richardson serving as a depth piece, Devonshire ending up released prior to the start of the season, and Taylor e-nding up on injured reserve. Midround selection Tommy Eichenberg and Dylan Laube served as depth, but weren’t notable. Las Vegas is going to be relying on their 2024 class to take a jump in their sophomore year to pair with their incoming rookie class in order for the team to take a significant jump.
TE Brown Bowers: 115 receptions, 1250 yards, 11 TD
Brock Bowers is going to be an elite tight end year after year after year in the NFL, he’s a phenomenal athlete with elite route running, strong hands, and a phenomenal IQ for the game. Bowers is likely to be a continual All-Pro and Pro-Bowler year after year with the potential for him to eventually win an OPOY award as well. Bowers is coming off a season where he posted 112 receptions, 1194 yards, and five touchdowns so the numbers this season should be relatively similar if not a touch better in terms of yards and touchdowns. The additions of Ashton Jeanty could make redzone targets less likely as they’ll opt for more focus on the run game. The Raiders also really like third year tight end Michael Mayer who could take pressure off Bowers at times. Despite this, new quarterback Geno Smith is very fond of the tight end, completing nearly 30% of his attempts to the position over the last two seasons and that shouldn’t change in Las Vegas.
IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson: 3 sacks, 24 pressures allowed
Powers-Johnson allowed 23 pressures and 2 sacks last season with most of his time coming at center, with a transition to right guard in place this year there’s a likelihood his numbers stay the same or get a touch worse in terms of sacks and pressures allowed simply due to the nature of the position. Powers-Johnson is going to remain a high end run blocker, and that will likely become more beneficial with his move to guard as the Raiders can opt for clear running lanes designed behind him unlike at center. In terms of pass protection, I’d expect Powers-Johnson to remain about the same. He’s a refined player with great intangibles, a strong lower half, and a knack for being a bully in the run game. For what it’s worth, I don’t see Alex Cappa replacing Powers-Johnson as the week one starter either.
T DJ Glaze: 4 sacks, 38 pressures allowed
DJ Glaze had an interesting rookie season, while allowing three sacks he also allowed 54 pressures which was among the highest at tackle. Additionally, he was flagged eight times, often for holding or a false start and those penalties have to be cut down this season if he’s going to be in their plans long term over Charles Grant. Glaze is highly athletic and has come a long way in preseason so far where he’s looked more comfortable with the pace of the game. I’d expect Glaze to allow 1-3 more sacks this season in an attempt to initially cut back on the holding penalties that occurred when he initially got beat to the outside. Overall, I’d expect Glaze to take a massive leap forward in terms of consistency with both run blocking and pass protection. Glaze has the traits to be a high end franchise option at right tackle and he is slowly putting those together. At only 23 years old, I’d expect for Glaze to take significant strides this season primarily with his consistency.
CB Decamerion Richardson: 55 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 INT, 9 PBU, 91.1 QBR Allowed
The first of a couple bold predictions for the 2024 class, Richardson is likely going to see an uptick in play time this season as the Raiders are going full blown youth in their defensive back room for 2025. Richardson logged 70% of the Raiders defensive snaps last season posting 46 tackles, a TFL, and four breakups while also allowing a 119.7 QBR. Pete Carroll and Raiders DB coach Marcus Robertson have to be fond of the athleticism Richardson possess. Las Vegas saw a good jump from year one to two from now Eagles CB Jakorian Bennett and it’s possible Richardson makes a similar jump. While still a below average QBR allowed above 90, it would be a strong step up for him in terms of his development. Richardson has the traits to make plays on the ball, and does do well as a run defender. Las Vegas is likely to play multiple iterations at CB this season with Darien Porter, Eric Stokes, Richardson, Kyu Blu Kelly, JT Woods, and likely 2-3 others getting key snaps.
ILB Tommy Eichenberg: 15 tackles, 2 TFL, 7 ST Tackles
After posting 13 tackles and just logging 80 snaps last season, I don’t expect a big increase for Eichenberg in year two. The Raiders brought in veterans Elandon Roberts, Germaine Pratt, Jamal Adams, and Devin White all of which seem to be the first four linebackers up. In addition, Eichenberg is competing with rookie Cody Lindenberg, veteran Jaylon Smith, and 2nd year UDFA Amari Gainer to be the 5th and 6th linebackers on the roster for their initial 53 man roster. Eichenberg is primarily going to serve on special teams should be snag a roster spot, which would be similar to his play style at Ohio State.
RB Dylan Laube: 13 att, 72 yards, TD, 11 rec, 135 yards, 2 TD | Key Special Teams Player
Laube also seems to be a sneaky player to make the roster, with the Raiders highly valuing his special teams ability both as a kick and punt returner and as a gunner. Laube has made strides as a tackler this preseason and showed good traits as a returner as well. If Laube makes the roster, and maybe at the time of reading this he did, he’s likely to be the 4th running back and won’t be in line for a ton of attempts and/or targets for the season.
IDL Jonah Laulu: 53 tackles, 6 TFL, 3 sacks, 31 pressures
Similar to Richardson, I’m going pretty bold with this prediction for Laulu. Las Vegas is likely going to start Laulu opposite of Adam Butler with the interior defensive line being a little bit confusing. Rookies JJ Pegues and Tonka Hemingway seem to be making headway to play along with newly aquired Thomas Booker and the interior defensive line is rather confusing in terms of how often everyone is going to play. Laulu played at a good level last season as a rotational player, and the Raiders have a ton of faith in him going into the 2025 season. Laulu posted 10 stops last season and 20 stops serving mainly as a run defender last year. I’d expect for Laulu to take a jump in terms of his pass rush ability this season after finishing last year with a 10% win rate across the last seven games. Laulu posted 35 tackles, 3 for loss, and a sack on top of his pressures and stops last year so the uptick in numbers to go along with an increase in play time should be expected.
ILB Amari Gainer: Special Teams Player
It’s unclear if Gainer is going to make the 53 man roster, and if he does miss he’ll likely see time as a practice squad elevation throughout the season. Gainer is highly athletic, and needs time to really refine his traits to be a backup linebacker. Gainer may make the roster due to his special teams ability where he posses the skillset to make an impact there long term.
SAFs Trey Taylor/Thomas Harper and C Will Putnam:
For safeties Thomas Harper and Trey Taylor they’re likely to end up on the practice squad, and could see elevation into the season with injuries. Taylor has performed at a decent level during pre-season but the Raiders are likely to carry Isaiah Pola-Mao, Jeremy Chinn, Terrell Edmunds, and Chris Smith at safety with Lonnie Johnson on IL. Harper hasn’t performed at the same level as Taylor during preseason but had a strong 2024 campaign with all things considered, and does have versatility between SAF and NCB. For Putnam, he’s the only true center the Raiders have on their roster with the rest being converted guards. Putnam will likely play as a depth player in case of IOL injuries throughout the season but is unlikely to crack the initial 53 man roster.
