Raiders Preseason Mailbag: Does Las Vegas have backup quarterback drawback?

The common season is nearly right here because the Las Vegas Raiders will wrap up the preseason in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday. Then, Tuesday is cutdown day for the NFL, the place the Raiders could have their 53-man roster set, and we play the ready recreation till September 7! However first, we’ve got this week’s mailbag to get to.

Q: Given the play of Aidan O’Connell and Cam Miller via the primary two pre-season video games, I’m apprehensive in regards to the Raiders’ QB2 place. I do know it’s late within the 12 months, however do you assume we must always contemplate buying a QB2 through commerce or FA?

A: I believe the backup quarterback spot is a small concern. In my view, O’Connell performed higher in opposition to San Francisco, trying on the majority of his throws. However the interception was horrible, and it seems like he can’t keep away from making the one essential mistake when he’s on the market. Plus, throwing three picks in opposition to backups isn’t precisely comforting.

Moreover, I assumed Miller seemed good in Seattle to doubtlessly push O’Connell. Nonetheless, the rookie was dangerous final week, additionally throwing an interception, and it looks like he’s simply not prepared but. That’s nice for his long-term projection, nevertheless it doesn’t supply a lot consolation for the QB2 spot this 12 months.

I wouldn’t be stunned if the Raiders pay shut consideration to who will get lower subsequent week, monitoring the Browns’, the Giants’ and the Chargers’ conditions, simply to call a couple of groups. Kenny Pickett, Jameis Winston or Taylor Heinicke/Trey Lance may grow to be out there after cutdown day as a couple of noteworthy choices. Throw Case Keenum in there too, for the reason that Bears simply prolonged Tyson Bagent.

So far as present free brokers go, Carson Wentz, C.J. Beathard and Jeff Driskel are the highest three out there, for my part. So, the pickings are slim.

All that being stated, I don’t assume O’Connell is a nasty backup choice. However I additionally assume he must have a great outing on Saturday to ease some considerations.

A: If the Titans are prepared to commerce for O’Connell, I’d hear them out on the very least. I’d be involved about what the plan is for a backup quarterback, since Miller is a rookie making the soar from FCS to the NFL and will use a 12 months to sit down earlier than getting thrown into the fireplace. However I’ll take draft picks for a man who doubtless received’t be on the roster after 2026, anyway.

If O’Connell does get dealt, search for one of many quarterbacks talked about above (or another person) to be on the entrance workplace’s radar. One different title I’ll throw in there’s Kyle Trask. John Spytek was in Tampa Bay when the Buccaneers drafted Trask within the second spherical, and the Bucs signed Teddy Bridgewater in the beginning of coaching camp. So, Trask might be a possible commerce goal.

Q: I actually haven’t heard something about Malcolm Koonce’s progress after his damage, haven’t heard his title talked about on performs through the first two pre-season video games. He’s made one sort out in every recreation. However how was he doing via coaching camp and practices? Is he making an impression throughout apply/scrimmage video games?

A: There hasn’t been a lot speak about Koonce in coaching camp, and he hasn’t seemed the identical within the two preseason video games, missing a few of the go off the road he confirmed in 2023. Lately, Pete Carroll even stated it seems to be like Koone has taken a while to get again to his previous self.

”It’s taken him a short while to really feel that he’s again,” Carroll of the pass-rusher stated on August 20. “He got here out right here and able to go, and he missed a lot within the offseason that he was dissatisfied in. … I believe it took him time to understand he’s okay and he’s in nice form. It’s usually with accidents, notably decrease leg accidents in knees and ankles and all that, you bought to consider that it’s okay, and typically you must show it.”

ESPN’s Ryan McFadden lately dove into Koonce’s function this season, outlining that the Raiders are going to be relying on him rather a lot this fall. McFadden’s article can shed some extra gentle on the state of affairs.

A: We’re on the identical web page with Tyree Wilson’s function, the place he traces up as a base finish on run downs and slides inside in passing conditions. He made a handful of fine performs in these two spots final week, so it seems to be like that’s how the teaching employees is planning on utilizing him this season.

Particularly if Koonce isn’t 100% but, I type of like a defensive position with Maxx Crosby, Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu/Thomas Booker IV (or whoever is the opposite beginning DT) and Wilson because the starters or the early down unit. Then, Koonce can are available on passing conditions whereas Wilson strikes inside and Laulu/Booker subs out.

Q: Linebackers who can excel each in opposition to the run and defend in opposition to the move (Fred Warner, Zack Baun) successfully are athletic unicorns. Schematically, I’m assuming that is exactly the explanation the Raiders make the most of a 4-2-5 protection. All of that being stated, why can’t the Raiders discover/draft/develop a linebacker who can, on the very least, situationally defend in opposition to the move effectively? Why can’t we’ve got good issues?

A: I’ve been questioning the identical factor—on the linebackers and why the Raiders can’t have good issues—for some time, too, lol.

Nonetheless, I’ll say that whereas Robert Spillane was by no means identified for his protection abilities, he was no less than servicable as an beneath defender in zone protection. Spillane made a number of performs on the ball in Las Vegas, arising with 5 interceptions and 11 passes defended in two seasons. That’s not dangerous for a run-defending linebacker, and we may see an analogous kind of function/manufacturing from Germaine Pratt if Pratt can return to his 2022 kind, when he had two picks and 10 PDs.

So far as drafting and growing linebackers, the development across the league in recent times is to take an opportunity on athletes who want a 12 months or two to place some weight on and be higher run defenders. The Raiders tried that with Divine Deablo, however Deablo was a school security who was switching positions, which added an additional aspect to his improvement.

In my view, one of the simplest ways to get an entire linebacker (in addition to discovering one of many unicorns you talked about) is to draft a great athlete who performed the place in school, after which give them a 12 months or two to spend time within the weight room and develop their skill to tackle blocks.

Q: Why hasn’t the teaching employees given Amari Gainer extra of an opportunity versus Tommy Eichenberg and Matt Jones?

A: Eichenberg has performed higher than most individuals notice, particularly final week. He’s proven numerous development from final season, so I believe the teaching employees likes him as a backup/potential starter down the highway. Jones is the one I don’t get, based mostly on what he’s proven within the preseason. Nonetheless, he has apparently been higher in apply than within the video games, in keeping with the Las Vegas Overview-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore.

I want I had a greater reply for you on Gainer; apart from I don’t assume he suits the Pete Carroll mildew at linebacker.

Gainer has solely had six defensive snaps within the preseason, per Professional Soccer Focus, which is a powerful indication that he’s getting lower. Carroll sometimes likes linebackers who’ve a thick construct, and Gainer is extra lanky at 6-foot-3 and 232 kilos. For comparability, Eichenberg is simply a few kilos heavier than Gainer, however he’s an inch shorter to have a extra compact and stout construct.

Q: Is Ian Thomas a lock to make the staff? Whether or not or not he’s, what different tight ends would possibly make the staff past Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer?

A: “Lock” is likely to be somewhat robust, however I’d be stunned if Thomas doesn’t make the roster.

Carter Runyon is an fascinating tight finish to maintain tabs on. He’s had 5 catches for 62 yards within the first two preseason video games and is a stable blocker. It’s extra doubtless that Runyon finally ends up on the apply squad, however he might be a sneaky decide to make the roster subsequent Tuesday with a great efficiency in Arizona.

Q: Why all of the love for Zeus? I’m not seeing it. I’d maintain Dylan Laube and Chris Collier, together with Ashton Jeanty and Raheem Mostert. How about you?

A: That’s one other one I don’t fairly get, both. I believe the employees likes Zamir White because the downhill/energy again to enrich Mostert because the perimeter run/velocity again.

But when it have been as much as me, I’d maintain Jeanty, Mostert, Laube and Honest McCormick at operating again. It was a small pattern dimension final 12 months, however McCormick was actually spectacular together with his imaginative and prescient and pure operating abilities. It looks like he’s going to get lower, which is unlucky as a result of I believe he has the potential to be a well-rounded again.

Q: I’m fairly impressed with Dalton Wagner this 12 months. Any likelihood he beats out Thayer Munford (who doesn’t seem to have improved) for the swing sort out place?

A: Wagner is a formidable run blocker however struggles in move safety, incomes a 2.4 PFF grade (your eyes aren’t deceiving you, that’s two-point-four, not 24) final week. He additionally turns 27 in October, so I’ve a tough time seeing him make the staff.

I utterly agree that Munford doesn’t appear to be he’s gotten any higher this 12 months. The issue is the Raiders are younger at offensive sort out, and Charles Grant, who was drafted as a challenge, isn’t able to be thrown into the fireplace. So, I’d think about Munford has a roster spot as a result of the teaching employees doesn’t need to solely have inexperienced tackles to show to if Kolton Miller or DJ Glaze get injured.

Q: Who would you like for the Raiders’ fifth or sixth receiver? I like #4.

A: I do know Tommy Mellott hasn’t carried out a lot within the preseason, however I’d be somewhat stunned if he doesn’t make the staff. Mellott presents particular groups worth, and particular groups coordinator Tom McMahon was a giant fan of his recreation through the draft course of. McMahon is an efficient man to have in your nook for those who’re on the roster bubble.

For that sixth spot, I’m with you on Shedrick Jackson with how he performed in opposition to the Seahawks. I believe it would come right down to Jackson, Alex Bachman and Collin Johnson. Saturday evening might be the deciding issue.

A: I believe Isaiah Pola-Mao has potential, however he worries me because the beginning free security. Pola-Mao isn’t dependable in man protection, which isn’t a requirement for a free security, however the tackling points are an issue. We’ll see the way it works out, however I share your considerations in regards to the secondary, and Pola-Mao is included in that.

The defensive backfield is a group of numerous younger, proficient gamers who want time to develop. Nonetheless, numerous these guys are going to be thrown into beginning roles. Consequently, the Raiders may have a tough time defending the move this season.

That’ll do it for this week’s mailbag. Thanks all for submitting questions and, as your weekly reminder, for those who’d prefer to have your questions answered in a future column, tweet them at me, @MHolder95, e mail them to SBPQuestions1@gmail.com or search for our weekly name for questions on the positioning. The latter will proceed to publish on Thursdays.