The early days of Raiders training camp are giving Las Vegas a chance to sort out more than just the starting lineup. They’re also opening the door for reserve players to push for bigger roles, the kind of climb Kyu Blu Kelly made last season.
Head coach Klint Kubiak has made it clear that the players themselves will have to set the tone.
"Yeah, well, I think it's really important that it's those guys that define it. There's things we talk about in team meetings, but words are really just words,” Kubiak said.
“So, I think the most important thing is we go watch our tape, and then we talk about what is acceptable and what is not. What effort looks like, what it doesn't look like, and then we let the players go set that standard. So, it's their game, not ours."
That approach has already shown up in the first few practices. With the Raiders still sorting through depth-chart questions, a handful of players have gotten off to solid starts and could use a heavier workload to speed up their development.
One of them is receiver Dont’e Thornton Benson. Las Vegas’ committee approach at wide receiver gives him a real opening, even though he needed a little luck along with his talent to get here. At one point, it looked possible that Benson might miss the 53-man roster or end up mostly as a returner.
That role may still be where he sees the most action at first, but there’s obvious intrigue in seeing what he can do alongside Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Brock Bowers, and Ashton Jeanty. Benson’s speed could stretch the field and help create space for the offense.
Another player who could benefit from more snaps is cornerback Darien Richardson. He’s in the middle of trying to establish himself in a Raiders cornerback group that will need its best players to contribute, even if they aren’t all starters. Richardson still has development ahead of him, and camp reps are the best way to get it.
The same logic applies to running back Mike Washington Jr. The Raiders know what they have in Ashton Jeanty, but if Jeanty is going to handle most of the carries this season, there’s no reason not to keep giving Washington extra work in camp and the preseason. He looks like a player who can matter for this team sooner rather than later.
"Mike's [Washington Jr.] been great, man. I mean, he really worked his butt off during the offseason, and you could really tell and see that,” Raiders running backs coach Omar Young said after training camp.
“And it's a great deal for him to just be able to come out here every single day and put forth and show the work that he put on in the offseason and let it come fruition. So, I'm really proud of him and excited to see what he continues to do."
Then there’s cornerback Vance, who has already flashed enough to make the Raiders pay attention. He intercepted rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza in seven-on-seven and took it back for a touchdown, one of the plays that has stood out so far. Vance has clearly taken a step forward from last season, and with a wide-open cornerback group, he deserves a longer look against better competition.
As camp rolls on, Las Vegas has a chance to learn plenty by leaning on these players a little more. If the Raiders want to find out who can rise, the best move is simple: give them more chances and see who keeps taking them.
In Other News...
Raiders First Padded Practice Exposed One Concern Fans Cant Ignore
The Raiders first padded training camp practice under new head coach Klint Kubiak brought the kind of full-speed evaluation that changes the feel of camp, and it quickly offered a clearer look at where this roster stands. With the pads on, veterans and newcomers alike had to show they could handle more than offseason optimism, and that meant a closer eye on the trenches, the passing game, and how the group responds when the intensity rises.
There were encouraging signs elsewhere on the field, including strong showings from key returning pieces and a rookie quarterback getting his share of reps as the staff works through the early stages of development. But the session also reinforced why the offensive line remains a talking point, especially on the right side, where one spot drew more scrutiny than anything else and made it hard to ignore a concern fans have been watching since camp opened. [Read more 🡒]
Maxx Crosby Just Sent A Message About Where Raiders Stand
Around the AFC West, the tone this week has been familiar: coaches and front offices trying to steady the roster picture while everyone else keeps building toward camp and the season ahead. Sean Payton had little to add on Nik Bonitto beyond saying the Broncos expect him to be fine, Denver also cleared room by reworking Ben Powers deal, Jim Harbaugh is still sorting out the Chargers left guard spot with Kayode Awosika currently on top, and Andy Reid spent his update praising the Chiefs younger players while working through injuries.
For the Raiders, the most meaningful note came from Maxx Crosby, who once again made clear where his head is as the team continues to try to push itself back into relevance. In a division where the other three clubs are busy reinforcing depth, settling position battles and smoothing out contract situations, Crosbys message matters because he remains the face of what Las Vegas wants to be. The bigger question now is whether the Raiders can turn that kind of commitment into the kind of team success Crosby has been chasing. [Read more 🡒]