Silver And Black Pride
The Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs have nothing to play for and both teams are expected to start backup quarterbacks in Week 18. So, instead of highlighting key matchups for the Raiders, this week’s game preview focuses on five young players who should get more playing time in the season finale.
In full disclosure, rookies Caleb Rogers, Tonka Hemingway and JJ Pegues were not included because they’ve been getting regular playing time over the last month.
It was understandable why Grant didn’t play in the first half and maybe even the first three months of the season. He relied on being bigger, stronger and more athletic than opposing defensive linemen at the FCS level, and his technique needed a lot of work coming out of college. However, Stone Forsythe and DJ Glaze have allowed the most and second-most sacks among offensive tackles this season with 11 and 10, respectively, per Pro Football Focus. Also, those two haven’t been much better in the run game, owning sub-par PFF run blocking grades.
Meanwhile, the William & Mary product has received some run over the last three weeks, recording eight snaps as an extra tight end and six at left tackle in garbage time. Obviously, that’s a small sample size, but he’s shown promise and, more importantly, improved technique on the limited opportunities. Grant’s footwork has been much better than it was in college by maintaining a wide base and not crossing his feet over or heel clicking in pass protection, while also showing improved pad level.
In other words, the time is now for the rookie to get a bigger opportunity and show what he can do heading into the offseason.
I’m cheating a bit here by listing two players under one subhead, but the logic is the same. Devin White and Elandon Roberts have been Las Vegas’ primary linebackers all season. However, White (39.2) owns the fourth-worst PFF grade at the position and Roberts (53.1) ranks 72nd out of 94 qualifiers (minimum 218 snaps). Additionally, both are on one-year contracts and shouldn’t be brought back in the offseason. So, it would be smart to give Tommy Eichenberg and Cody Lindenberg bigger opportunities to prove themselves.
Eichenberg has seen the field the most out of all the players listed here, recording 71 defensive snaps on the season. Also, he’s been part of the Raiders’ linebacker rotation for about a month but still hasn’t received 15 or more snaps in a game this year. Especially since he’s been one of the club’s best special teamers, leading the team with 18 total tackles on special teams and owning the third-best ST grade (73.5), it’s time to reward the 2024 fifth-round pick with more reps on defense.
Meanwhile, Lindenberg hasn’t recorded a snap defensively. But, like Eichenberg, the rookie has been a good specialist with eight tackles and a team-leading 79.5 mark in that department. Also like Eichenberg, it’s time to reward the Minnesota product and see...
