The Las Vegas Raiders should stick to the plan in place with Fernando Mendoza. Kirk Cousins was brought in to start at quarterback and allow Mendoza to sit until he’s ready. Throughout the preseason, Mendoza has shown he is the real deal; he has also struggled with what he has around him. Pass protection hasn’t done him any favors; none of the second-tier wide receivers have separated from the pack or other teams’ defensive backs, for that matter. He has pushed Cousins for the starting role, but
here are some reasons why the Raiders need to stay the course.
Offensive line is strike one
Cousins has maintained his lead at the top of the depth chart with an emphasis on the short-yardage, quick-passing game. Pass protection issues have plagued the Raiders since the (Derek) Carr Insurance offensive line policy was canceled and disbanded. The Raiders’ team of offensive line coaches has done wonders with what they have, but they aren’t miracle workers.
The Raiders’ complete starting offensive line has only taken the field for three series in the entire preseason. Mendoza has yet to take a game snap from Tyler Linderbaum or enjoy blindside protection from Kolton Miller. Meanwhile, the battle at right guard between Jackson Powers-Johnson and Caleb Rogers has yet to be decided with the conclusion of preseason competition. Left guard free-agent acquisition Spencer Burford is a much better run blocker than a pass protector. Yet he is still much better than his backups.
The tackle situation is a sturdy foundation rooted in eroding soil. Kolton Miller, one of the last holdovers from the Oakland Raiders, has an extensive injury history and the gap between him and Charles Grant isn’t as large as it used to be. Delmar Glaze is the starting right tackle and like most of his peers, his run blocking in this scheme far exceeds his pass protection. Glaze has maintained his lateral quickness deficiency as best he can. It now takes the more premier defensive ends to completely outclass him.
Which wide receiver is number one
Head coach Klint Kubiak called out his entire receiving corps, charging the entire unit with taking a step back during joint practice and the preseason game in Houston. Paramount to the success of any rookie quarterback are trusted and reliable wide receivers. Most importantly, ones who fulfill the obligation of catching the football when targeted, capable of running correct routes, and getting to their landmarks in phase and on time. Receivers who generate separation either coming out of the break or at the top of the route.
None of the receivers on the Raiders depth chart have been “wide receiver one” since high school. Former fourth-round pick Tre Tucker has had the best showings of the bunch thus far. Jalen Nailor has been inconsistent throughout his preseason action. Often trading wow plays of opposite extremes and can go from hand-raising to head-scratching on back-to-back plays.
Jack Bech has made more plays throwing blocks than he has catching passes. Sixth-round draft pick Malik Benson has been the Cinderella story of camp. However, down the preseason’s home stretch, he has begun to waver against unfamiliar competition. Against the Houston Texans, butterfingers and catch-point disruptors got the better of him. He had a nice sideline grab out of bounds after a San Francisco 49ers defensive back bumped him off his spot and out of bounds. He would draw a flag on that play, but his production has downshifted as his competition has increased.
There is no rush
Mendoza is the Raiders’ future at quarterback and Kubiak is going to be afforded every opportunity and resource to build a winner around Mendoza. The benefit to Cousins being on the team is not having to rush Mendoza out into adverse situations. Having Aidan O’Connell on this roster provides another sacrificial lamb should the pass protection not keep Cousins upright. Mendoza has had very good play but it’s just not quite jiving the way it’s supposed to.
Mendoza has continued to demonstrate an ability to get through all of his reads if necessary. Meaning if he is dropping back and given time to throw, he will find the open guy. He isn’t holding onto the ball for no reason; guys just aren’t getting open.
It is still at least a year before the Raiders will either draft or sign in free agency Mendoza’s “wide receiver one” of the future. Not having receivers consistently capable of generating separation and catching the football is too much of a hindrance for a pocket passer. Maybe sometime before the end of the year he’ll actually get a couple of starts and the chance to play with all of the starters instead of some.
