It’s time to start thinking ahead now that the 2024 NFL Draft has concluded and we are deep into the Las Vegas Raiders offseason schedule. With the draft and free agency, Vegas has added some noteworthy players this offseason. As training camp draws up in a few weeks, there will be some exciting roster battles.
However, a few players will narrowly lose out on a roster berth as a result of some of the less publicized struggles. Who are their rivals, and which players are those? For these Raiders to make the team, they will require a further push throughout training camp.
Amari Burney, MLB
The Raiders selected Florida linebacker Amari Burney with a sixth-round pick in the previous season. Burney played in seven games as a rookie, contributing to 19% of defensive plays and 39% of special teams plays.
Burney already trails Ohio State superstar Divine Deablo, the starting inside linebacker, and will probably trail newcomer Tommy Eichenberg, a fifth-round selection. As one of the five linebackers retained in 2023, Burney may find himself on the outside looking in as a result of Eichenberg’s arrival.
Brittain Brown, RB
The Raiders ended up keeping four running backs in the previous season. Las Vegas chose to keep four, whereas some teams only keep three. Is it going to be the same this year? If so, Brittain Brown, a seventh-round pick in 2022, could not have much luck.
Brown is now behind rookie Dylan Laube, Ameer Abdullah, Alexander Mattison, and Zamir White of the Raiders. He was not selected for the squad for the 2022 season, and as a rookie, he played on special teams in very few games.
Anthony Brown Jr., QB
This summer, the contest between second-year pro Aidan O’Connell and seasoned veteran Gardner Minshew will be fierce at quarterback. Let’s say, however, that the Raiders retain three quarterbacks in 2024 based on their actions from the previous season. Who will stick out among the veterans, Anthony Brown Jr.? Not so quickly.
Carter Bradley, a rookie who was not selected, has already gained some attention this offseason. The two seasons that the former South Alabama great spent in the NFL saw him throw for almost 6,000 yards, 47 touchdowns, and just 19 interceptions.
Matthew Butler, DT
Christian Wilkins, a defensive tackle from Miami, was by far the greatest offseason addition to this Raiders club. Wilkins’s arrival greatly bolstered the defensive line; ideally, he can inspire those around him as well.
Tyree Wilson, John Jenkins, Adam Butler, Byron Young, and Matthew Butler are in order of behind Wilkins. The Raiders held six defensive tackles on roster last season. Butler has a chance to stick if the top six remain in that position. But if any of the undrafted free agents (Tomari Fox or Noah Shannon) made a stir during training camp, he would be the first left out.
Kristian Wilkerson, WR
The top three wide receivers for the Raiders are still Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and second-year player Tre Tucker, despite some changes from a year ago. Jalen Guyton and newly-signed Michael Gallup are behind those three. DJ Turner, a free agent who is not picked in 2021, is currently the sixth-best wideout.
However, Kristian Wilkerson did make this team the previous season, and he will have another chance. Vegas kept six wideouts in the previous season. Depending on your perspective on the depth chart, Wilkerson is presently ranked either sixth or seventh.
MJ Devonshire, CB
While it may seem strange to include a rookie on a list of possible cuts, MJ Devonshire, a seventh-round pick, is a good match. The Raiders kept six cornerbacks in the previous season. Devonshire is now probably ranked seventh, after Cornell Armstrong, Jack Jones, Jakorian Bennett, Brandon Facyson, Decamerion Richardson, and Nate Hobbs.
Even if you believe Devonshire is superior to Armstrong, there is still very little opportunity for error on the side of the rookie. In Year 1, may Devonshire end up as a candidate for the practice squad?
