The regular season is almost here as the Las Vegas Raiders will end on Saturday’s preseason against the Arizona Cardinals. Then Tuesday will be approaching under the NFL, where the Raiders will have a 53-man squad, and we are waiting for the game until September 7! But first, we have the mailbags to arrive this week.
Q: Given the Raiders’ QB2 position in the first two preseasons, Aidan O'Connell and Cam Miller. I know this is the second half of the year, but do you think we should consider getting QB2 through a deal or FA?
A: I think the alternate quarterback position is a minor issue. In my opinion, O'Connell performed better against San Francisco, watching most of his throws. But the interception is terrible, and it feels like he can’t avoid making a key mistake while outside. Plus, throwing three draft picks on the backup side is not comfortable.
Also, I think Miller looks good in Seattle and can push O'Connell. However, last week's rookie was also terrible and threw interceptions, as if he wasn't ready yet. This is good for his long-term projection, but this year's QB2 seats don't have much comfort.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Raiders were closely watching the layoffs next week, monitoring the Browns, Giants and Chargers. Kenny Pickett, Jameis Winston or Taylor Heinicke/Trey Lance may get some notable options after the lower date. Toss Case Keenum there too, as the bear just extended Tyson Bart.
As far as free agents are concerned, I think Carson Wentz, CJ Beathard and Jeff Driskel are the top three. Therefore, the picking is slim.
Having said that, I don't think O'Connell is a bad alternative. But I also think he needs a good outing on Saturday to ease some of the concerns.
A: If the Titans were willing to trade for O'Connell, I would at least hear them. I was worried about what the backup quarterback plan was, as Miller was a rookie who jumped from the FCS to the NFL and could sit in the fire for a year. But anyway, I'll pick a draft pick for someone who may not be on the roster after 2026.
If O'Connell does get handled, look for the above-mentioned quarterback (or someone else) on the radar in the front desk. Another name I would throw is Kyle Trask. John Spytek was in Tampa Bay when the Bucs drafted Trask in the second round, while Bucs signed Teddy Bridgewater at the start of training camp. Therefore, Trask may be a potential trade target.
Q: I really haven't heard of Malcolm Koonce's progress after an injury, and didn't hear the name he mentioned in the game in the first two preseasons. He made a tackle in every game. But how did he perform in training camps and practices? Will he have an impact during practice/smash?
Henderson, Nevada – July 23: Maxx Crosby #98 and Malcolm Koonce #51 are in their first practice for the Las Vegas Raider Training Camp at the Las Vegas Raider Headquarters/Intermountmount Mountain Health Performance Center on July 23, 2025 in Henderson, Nevada. (Image by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Getty Images
A: There are not many Koonce about training camp, he has different opinions in the two preseason games, lacking some of the explosions he showed in 2023. Recently, Pete Carroll even said that Pete Carroll seemed to have taken some time to go back to his old self.
“It took a long time to feel like I'm back,” Carroll, the passing ball, said on August 20. “He came here and was ready to go, and he missed so much in the offseason that he was disappointed. …I think it took him some time to realize he was fine and he was in good health. It.”
ESPN's Ryan McFadden recently played Koonce's role this season, outlining the Raiders will often count on him this fall. McFadden's article can learn more about this situation.
A: We play the role of Tyree Wilson on the same page, where he lined up it up as the basic end in the running situation and swiped in the passing situation. He performed well at both attractions last week, so it seems like this is the way the coaching staff plans to use him this season.
Especially if Koonce isn't 100% yet, I'm kind of like Maxx Crosby, Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu/Thomas Booker IV (or other starter DT) and Wilson as starter or early Down unit. Then, when Wilson moved in, Koonce could be in the pass situation, while Laulu/Laulu/Booker appeared.
Q: The defender who can effectively oppose running and defensive passes (Fred Warner, Zack Baun) is a sports unicorn. Ideally, I think that's exactly why the Raiders use 4-2-5 defense. That being said, why can't the Raiders find/draft/develop a defender that can at least effectively defend the pass? Why can't we have good things?
A: I've always wondered about the same thing – in the case of the defender and why the Raiders can't have a good thing – there was also a while, lol.
But, I'm going to say that although Robert Spillane has never been known for his reporting skills, he is at least a defender in the area. Spillane played several games on the ball in Las Vegas, resulting in five interceptions and 11 passes in two seasons. That's not bad for the defender who stands out, and if Pratt can go back to his 2022, we can see Germaine Pratt's role/production type when he has two draft picks and 10 pds.
In terms of drafting and developing the defender, the league’s trend in recent years is to capture an athlete who takes a year or two to apply weight and run better. The Raiders tried this with Divine Deablo, but Deablo, a college-safe, is switching positions, which adds an extra element to his development.
In my opinion, the best way to get a full guard (besides finding one of the unicorns you mentioned) is to draft a good athlete who plays a role in college and then give them a year or two, spend some time in the weight room, and develop their own obstacles.
Q: Why didn't the coaching staff give Amari Gainer more opportunities with Tommy Eichenberg and Matt Jones?
A: Eichenberg performed better than most people realize, especially last week. He has shown a lot of growth since last season, so I think the coaching staff likes him as a substitute/potential starter. Jones is something I didn't get, based on what he showed in the preseason. However, according to his practice, he is obviously better than the Olympics Las Vegas Review Magazine Vincent Bonsignore.
I wish I had a better answer to Gaine; except that I don't think he's suitable for Pete Carroll Mold at guard.
According to professional football, Gehner has only six defensive balls in the preseason, indicating he was laid off. Carroll usually prefers to have a chunky defender, while Gainer is thinner at 6-foot-3 and 232 pounds. For comparison, Eichenberg weighs a few pounds more than Gainer, but he is shorter, more compact and more sturdy.
Q: Ian Thomas is the lock to become a team? Is he, other close endings that could lead the team outside Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer to surpass?
A: The “lock” may be a bit powerful, but I would be surprised if Thomas didn’t make a lineup.
Carter Runyon is a fun tight end that keeps the label. He had five catches for 62 yards in the first two preseason games and was a solid blocker. Runyon is more likely to end up on the practice squad, but he may be a sneaky draft pick who can do well in Arizona next Tuesday with a great performance.
Q: Why are all the love for Zeus? I didn't see it. I will keep Dylan Laube and Chris Collier, as well as Ashton Jeanty and Raheem Mostert. And you?
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Aug 16: Zamir White #3 embraces the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL preseason 2025 NFL pres The 49ers defeated the Raiders 22-19. (Photo of Candice Ward/Getty Images) Getty Images
Answer: This is another one that I don’t fully understand. I think the staff like Zamir White as the downhill/force to supplement Mostert as the perimeter/speed return.
But if it's up to me, I'll keep the jeans, Mostert, Laube and the sincere McCormick running. Last year, it was a small sample, but McCormick’s vision and natural running skills really impressed. It seems like he will be cut, which is unfortunate because I think he has the potential to be a full-scale defender.
Q: I was impressed by Dalton Wagner this year. Does he have a chance to beat Thayer Munford (who doesn't seem to improve) as a swing tackle position?
A: Wagner is an impressive running obstacle but struggles with passing protection and earns a 2.4 PFF class (your eyes aren't cheating on you, it's two-quarters, not 24 points). He was also 27 in October, so it was hard for me to see him become a team.
I totally agree that Monford doesn't look good this year. The problem is that the Raiders' offensive tackle is young, Charles Grant, who was selected as a program, is not ready to be put out by the fire. So I think Munford has a roster because the coaching staff doesn't want to have only inexperienced tackles to turn to Kolton Miller or DJ Glaze for injury.
Q: Who do you want the 5th or 6th receiver of the Raider? I like #4.
A: I know Tommy Mellott didn’t do much in the preseason, but I would be a little surprised if he didn’t form a team. Mellott offers special team value, while Special Team Coordinator Tom McMahon is a big fan of his game during the draft. If you are on the roster, McMahon is a good guy.
For sixth, I'm with you in Shedrick Jackson and him against the Seahawks. I think it will come down to Jackson, Alex Bachman and Colin Johnson. Saturday night may be the deciding factor.
A: I think Isaiah Polamo has potential, but he is worried that I am free and safe. Pola-Mao is not reliable in human coverage, which is not a requirement for freedom and security, but solving the problem is a problem. We'll see how it works, but I've shared your concerns about minor ones, including Pola-Mao.
Defensive backcourt is a collection of many young, talented players who need time to develop. However, many of them will be sent to the starting role. As a result, the Raiders may have a hard time defending the pass this season.
This will do this in this week's mailbag. Thank you for submitting the question, as your weekly reminder, if you want to answer questions in a future column, please tweet me, @Mholder95emailed to sbpquestions1@gmail.com Or look for us to ask questions on the website every week. The latter will continue to be released Thursday.
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