The Raiders are about to get their first preseason look at the Arizona Cardinals in front of their home crowd, and for a roster with a new coaching staff, these August games carry real weight.
Pete Carroll’s team already saw Arizona close out last preseason, with the Cardinals coming out on top. But the result in the summer isn’t the point. What matters now is what Klint Kubiak and his staff learn while sorting through the roster and deciding who belongs among the best 53 players.
A few Raiders have a clear chance to make themselves harder to keep off the field. If they flash in the preseason, they could carve out more snaps right away.
One of those players is Rogers, who is in position to push for a bigger role on the interior offensive line. The third-round pick from last year played only 284 snaps as a rookie, according to Pro Football Focus, but that number should climb if he shows more growth this summer.
General Manager John Spytek has a strong belief in Rogers as a key piece in the years ahead, and with the guard spots still unsettled, he has a real path to starting. Even if he doesn’t win a first-team job, he should still be a major part of a line that needs more youth.
McCoy is another name to watch, and the rookie could end up being one of the most intriguing players in camp. A fourth-round pick, he has been practicing in full after dealing with multiple knee injuries in college.
The Raiders took the bet that he can stay healthy, and now they’ll get a chance to see what he looks like when the games begin. Because the team has been careful with his workload, he may not get a long preseason runway, but he can still prove he’s ready to contribute in limited work.
Then there’s Crawford, who may be the answer the Raiders have been searching for opposite Maxx Crosby. The third-round rookie handled a specific job at Auburn as a stand-up edge rusher, and that usage could fit nicely at the NFL level.
Defensive Coordinator Rob Leonard should be comfortable unleashing him on passing downs, especially with preseason offensive line play usually uneven. If Crawford can get into the backfield and pile up sacks, he could play his way into a meaningful role once the regular season arrives.
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That uncertainty is what makes the longer-range outlook so interesting, because the conversation around Las Vegas does not stop at 2026. If things go the wrong way, the Raiders could be staring at a much bigger roster reset than they expected, and the next wave of draft projections only adds to the pressure surrounding a season that may end up carrying more weight than it first appears. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Are Watching Something Bigger Than Stats With Fernando Mendoza
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Sullivan pointed to Mendozas commitment to self-study, including handwritten notes on his throws, as part of why the staff believes the development is moving in the right direction. The preseason, in that view, is less a one-night exam than a chance to reinforce the right routine and keep stacking the details. For the Raiders, it is another reminder that the best signs from a quarterback room are not always the easiest ones to quantify. [Read more 🡒]
Treydan Stukes Is Forcing A Raiders Battle Fans Need To Watch
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Stukes is competing for a starting role in the slot while also projecting as a player who can fill multiple jobs across the defense this season, which only raises the stakes of every rep he takes in camp. For a Raiders defense still being evaluated in real time, his emergence is worth watching because the decision at nickel could shape both the immediate depth chart and how quickly Leonard can trust a young defender in bigger packages. [Read more 🡒]