Silver Minings: Raiders add new nickelback option ahead of Commanders game

Ahead of the Week 3 matchup against the Washington Commanders, the Las Vegas Raiders elevated undrafted rookie defensive back Greedy Vance from the practice squad to the active roster, according to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden.

It’s no secret that the Raiders’ defense could use help at nickelback. The team currently leans heavily on base personnel (three linebackers, four defensive backs), but could use an upgrade over who covers the slot in passing situations. Per Pro Football Focus, Darnay Holmes took 26 defensive snaps in Week 1 and surrendered five catches on six targets for 73 yards before having his playing time reduced to 13 snaps last Monday.

Vance primarily played nickel in the preseason, and getting called up is a decent sign that he’ll get some playing time in Washington. Teams are only allowed to elevate a player three times before having to add said player to the practice squad or release them. On that topic, Las Vegas also activated wide receiver Alex Bachman for the third time in as many weeks, meaning he’ll either stay on the roster or get let go next week.

In Other Raiders’ Links:

• 3rd down, red zone success key: “Patrick Graham’s Raiders defense limited opposing offenses to eight third-down conversions on 25 attempts and that 32 percent rate gives the Silver & Black the third stingiest in the league,” our Ray Aspuria wrote. “Joe Whitt Jr’s Commanders defense, on the other hand, allowed just nine third-down conversions on 28 attempts and the 32.1 percent rate ranks fourth best in the NFL.”
• Bounce back Geno?: This week’s mailbag focuses heavily on the Raiders’ quarterback, running game and offensive line.
• Why has the running game failed to catch fire: “[Offensive coordinator] Chip [Kelly] has always been a guy that’s run the ball a lot, and me too, and so we see eye to eye on that,” coach Pete Carroll said, via McFadden. “The numbers haven’t been as good as we want so far in the first two games. … We want more of [Jeanty]. He ran very well when he had the ball, and so we just needed to get more snaps.”
• Ryan Clark throws shade at Ashton Jeanty: ESPN analyst said the Raiders’ rookie “doesn’t have that “IT” factor”.