Silver And Black Pride
Returning Raider Nation’s questions for the week
Las Vegas Raiders training camp is finally here! Rookies reported to camp on Thursday, and the veterans will join them on Tuesday, signaling the start of the 2025 season. That also gives us a few topics to cover for this week’s mailbag, so let’s get to it!
Q: What might be a training camp storyline or two not already discussed?
A: It’s getting lost in the mix with all of the other questions on defense, but I’ll be interested to see how Malcolm Koonce looks after missing all of last season with a torn ACL. The 2024 campaign was supposed to be a big one for Koonce, as he looked to build on a strong second half in 2023 and was entering a contract year. Obviously, that got delayed with the injury, and it becomes a storyline again this year with the added element of him recovering from a major injury.
On a similar note, who takes on the third-down pass-rusher role will be noteworthy. The Raiders have a few options, where maybe Tyree Wilson, Tonka Hemingway or Jonah Laulu prove they can be decent interior rushers who come in during passing situations. That would mean Koonce and Maxx Crosby stay on the edge while Adam Butler and one of those three are on the interior. Or someone like Jah Joyner or Charles Snowden steps up, and Patrick Graham can get creative with the third-down packages, maybe lining Crosby up inside or just moving him around.
Granted, if Christian Wilkins is healthy and ready to go Week 1, that kind of negates this since Wilkins can rush the passer and Butler would either stay on the field or come off the bench.
A: This is a similar question to the previous one, so we’ll keep the storyline theme going!
I’d argue the most important is how the young defensive backs look, especially Darien Porter. Las Vegas has a lot of question marks in the secondary, where the defense is counting on a handful of inexperienced players to step up this season. If they can hit the ground running, not only will it help the team this season, but it will also steer the long-term outlook in the right direction.
While we won’t get to see his full offense in the preseason, Chip Kelly’s return to the NFL will be something to take note of. He’s always been viewed as an offensive innovator, and I like how he’s constantly adapting his system. So, I think it will be worthwhile to pay attention to what Kelly is doing this summer, especially in the running game.
On a similar note to the defensive backs, how quickly Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton adjust to the NFL will be important. Wide receiver was a position group that lacked depth in Las Vegas heading into the offseason, so Geno Smith and the offense can use a young wideout or two to step up and answer the call. Plus, Jakobi...
