Las Vegas Raiders training camp preview: Sizing up QB battle
COSTA MESA, Calif. -- The Las Vegas Raiders will open 2024 training camp with veterans reporting Tuesday, July 23, at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa. Here's a closer look at a few storylines:
Biggest question: Who will be the starting quarterback?
After failing to trade up to draft a QB of the future, the Raiders are in the throes of a wide-open quarterback competition between second-year returner Aidan O'Connell and vagabond free-agent veteran Gardner Minshew that is more mutual admiration society than cutthroat battle. O'Connell, who went 3-1 down the stretch with eight TD passes and no INTs, already has the respect of the locker room and coach Antonio Pierce, who installed him as the starter upon his ascension to interim coach last November and called him his "BFF."
Minshew, meanwhile, has more ability to extend plays, a prerequisite in today's NFL. And with a new system authored by new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, both QBs began at ground zero. Still, neither O'Connell nor Minshew pulled away in OTAs or minicamp. Whoever makes better use of receiver Davante Adams and playmaking tight ends Michael Mayer and Brock Bowers will earn the gig.
Most compelling non-QB position battle: Cornerback opposite Jack Jones
While it may seem strange that Jones, who has started just five games in his three-year career, has locked down one corner spot, his two pick-sixes last season and emotional growth under Pierce has him, well, a lock. And with Nate Hobbs one of the best slot corners in the league, who starts on the other side? You can write in with certainty 10 of 11 starters on defense before camp commences.
Six-year veteran Brandon Facyson, who spent most of last season on injured reserve with a shin injury and appeared in only two games, looked to be taking the lead against Jakorian Bennett, who started the first four games of his rookie season. Facyson and his 17 starts in 75 career games may provide the stability needed opposite the oft-trash-talking Jones, whose playmaking ability feeds off his emotions. Yes, even as Facyson has one career interception.
The player with the most to prove: RB Zamir White
The third-year back has not entered a season as his team's clear-cut No. 1 RB since his final year of college at Georgia in 2021, and filling the shoes of two-time Pro Bowler and one-time first-team All-Pro in Josh Jacobs, who left for the Green Bay Packers in free agency, only increases the scrutiny. White did impress in a four-game sample size last season, rushing for 397 yards and a touchdown, averaging 4.7 yards per carry and catching nine passes for 60 yards with Jacobs out with a quad injury. If White is not up to the task, expect free-agent signee Alexander Mattison, a five-year vet who was in a similar situation with the Minnesota Vikings, to get a look.
Most impactful offseason addition: DT Christian Wilkins
It has been a long time since the Raiders have been carried by their defense, but given how the unit closed the season under Pierce and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham -- Las Vegas allowed a league-low 16 points per game to opponents from Week 9 on while scoring a league-best four defensive TDs in that time frame -- here they are. Throw in Wilkins, a premier pass-rushing defensive tackle who signed a four-year, $110 million deal with $84.75 million guaranteed in free agency, and the bar is raised.
Three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby is already coming off a career-high 14.5-sack season, defensive end Malcolm Koonce added a career-best 8.0 sacks while last year's first-round draft pick Tyree Wilson came on strong and finished with 3.5 sacks. With Wilkins, whose 9.0 sacks last season for the Miami Dolphins were a career-high, opposing offensive lines are going to have to pick their poison when it comes to scheming whom to block on passing downs.
