Mailbag: Will Raiders add a veteran S or CB ahead of training camp?

Mailbag: Will Raiders add a veteran S or CB ahead of training camp?
Silver And Black Pride Silver And Black Pride

Returning Raider Nation’s questions for the week.

The 2025 season will be here before you know it. The Las Vegas Raiders’ rookies report to training camp next Thursday, and the veterans will join them five days later. So, the countdown to camp is officially on, but first, we have this week’s mailbag to get to!

Q: Will the Raiders finally go and get a veteran safety or cornerback to complement the existing roster? Much needed!

A: Mike Hilton is still available, I’m just sayin’!

In all seriousness, the fact that we haven’t even heard about anyone coming to Las Vegas for a workout during the down period and that training camp is less than a week away, I think the Raiders are going to roll with the roster they have.

It wouldn’t surprise me if someone gets signed during camp or the front office looks to add a defensive back after cutdown day next month. However, I wouldn’t expect to see any moves before the team reports.

Q: Considering that Chip Kelly’s Eagles took over for a 4-12 team, and went 10-6 the following year. Would you say that the Raiders’ 2025 offense is better or worse on paper than the 2013 Eagles?

A: Player for player, that Eagles offense had a little more talent. They had LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson in their primes, on top of a good tight end duo with Brent Celek and rookie Zach Ertz. On the offensive line, Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson were starting to ascend in the league, while Jason Peters had been an All-Pro, and Evan Mathis ended up being a first-team All-Pro that year.

However, I do think the Raiders’ quarterback situation heading into the season is better than the ‘13 Eagles’. Mike Vick was at the end of his career and eventually got benched for Nick Foles, who played well that year but was a “no-name” going into the campaign. Also, Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers can surpass their Philadelphia counterparts in this comparison.

So, I think there’s potential for the Raiders’ offense to be pretty good, or at least much better, this fall, and Kelly having some history excuting a quick turnaround helps provide more optimism.

Q: Several beat writers listed Jordan Meredith’s minicamp position as backup center behind Jackson Powers-Johnson. Is this to give him experience at his 2nd position? Do you think he gets a chance at starting left guard? Same beat writers listed Parham 1st team and Thayer Munford 2nd team at left guard.

A: I think there’s some truth to the coaching staff wanting to cross-train Meredith so they have a backup interior offensive lineman who can play all three positions, if he isn’t starting. Also, he has some experience playing center, as he got some run there during the 2023 preseason, and the spot behind JPJ is very much up for grabs this summer.

That being said, I do think Meredith still has a chance to win the starting job at left guard....