It’s Week 15 and the Las Vegas Raiders have just four more games to evaluate their roster heading into the offseason. So, this Sunday’s contest against the Philadelphia Eagles is one of the final opportunities
for the Raiders’ youngsters to show the front office what they can bring to the table. With that, let’s get to this week’s key matchups.
Darien Porter vs. A.J. Brown/DeVonta Smith
With Kyu Blu Kelly officially out for the rest of the season, Porter’s training wheels should be off since those two have been splitting reps over the last few weeks. Kelly exited last week’s game early, and the rookie ended up taking 69 of the team’s 74 defensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
He had a pretty encouraging performance, drawing six targets and allowing three completions for 34 yards while logging a few pass breakups along the way, via PFF. What’s even more impressive is that the Denver Broncos tested the Iowa State product with their No. 1 receiver, Courtland Sutton, and Porter managed to hold his own. But, as is life in the NFL, he faces another tough test on Sunday with the Eagles’ duo of receivers.
While there has been a lot of chatter about Brown’s involvement in Philadelphia’s offense this season, he’s still managed to put up 62 catches for 799 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games. Also, he’s been on an impressive run over the last three weeks with 24 grabs, 342 yards and three scores, while reaching triple digits in receiving yards in each game.
Considering the Eagles have the three-time second-team All-Pro line up as an outside receiver on the left and right nearly equally—306 snaps on the left and 299 on the right—while Porter is primarily a right cornerback—239 out of 361 snaps—the rookie will also get a healthy amount of reps against Smith.
The five-year pro may not have the accolades that his counterpart has, but he’s been consistently productive with 60-plus catches and over 800 yards every season. This year, Smith is trending toward recording a third 1,000-yard performance with 64 catches, 839 yards and three touchdowns so far.
In other words, Porter should expect to be tested all game long. This is an opportunity for him to establish himself as a full-time starter moving forward.
DJ Glaze vs. Jaelan Phillips
After showing promise as a rookie, year two has been a struggle for Glaze. He’s given up 36 pressures (seven sacks) in pass protection, which is tied for the sixth-most among all offensive tackles and the second-most when looking at right tackles specifically, per PFF. Unfortunately, it won’t be any easier for the 2024 third-round pick this week since he’ll be facing one of the hottest pass-rushers in the league.
After getting traded to the Eagles in Week 10, Phillips ranks sixth among edge-rushers with 27 pressures, via PFF. Additionally, his 17.7 percent win rate is ninth at the position (minimum 94 pass rushes) during that timeframe. Clearly, the former Miami Dolphin has been a problem for opposing offenses since finding a new home in Philly.
Also, Phillips has been a lot more productive as a run defender after switching teams. According to PFF, he’s recorded 11 ‘defensive stops’ since the trade, trailing only Maxx Crosby (17) at the position. Meanwhile, Glaze owns the ninth-worst PFF run-blocking grade (48.7) among offensive tackles this season.
Right now, it looks like right tackle will be one of the Raiders’ needs this offseason. So, the second-year pro has to use these next four weeks to show why he should keep his spot, starting with this Sunday in the City of Brotherly Love.
Jack Bech vs. Quinyon Mitchell
Bech enjoyed a “breakout performance” last week against the Broncos, hauling in six out of six for 50 yards. While those numbers are modest, they’re season/career highs for the rookie who hasn’t gotten much playing time for the majority of this season. He finally received a bigger opportunity, recording 34 pass snaps, and made the most of the increased workload.
Now, the TCU product’s challenge is building on that momentum and stacking strong performances together, and that will be a tough challenge against Mitchell this week. While Bech was viewed as a slot receiver during training camp, 68.5 percent of his pass snaps have come out wide, including nearly 75 percent last Sunday.
A year after finishing in second place for Defensive Rookie of the Year, Mitchell has picked up right where he left off in 2025. His 42.5 completion percentage allowed when targeted ranks third among cornerbacks with at least 120 coverage snaps, per PFF, and ranking tied for fourth with 12 forced incompletions is a big reason why.
Dating back to his college days, ball skills have always been the Toledo product’s biggest calling card. Considering Bech is known for his ability to make contested catches, hauling in three of five such targets this season, that sets up for an interesting one-on-one battle between a couple of young pros.
