Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak keeps it all the way real regarding an X-factor position battle at OTAs and into training camp
The Las Vegas Raiders have a ton of position battles going on, and they’re all starting now at OTAs.
There are still several question marks with this team.
One of the bigger X-factors is the wide receiver room. There was always the belief that the Las Vegas Raiders wanted to see what Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton could do in a real offensive system before giving up on them. That’s why they didn’t draft a WR until the sixth round in Malik Benson. So, they’re very confident in what they have.
“Yeah, we’re counting on them. We’re counting on them to produce for us. The good thing is there’s competition with [Jack] Bech and with DT [Dont’e Thornton Jr.]. There’s a lot of competition in that receiver room, and may the best man win.”
The Raiders have good competition in their wide receiver room
Kubiak is telling it exactly how it is—may the best man win. Really, the top four receivers are set in stone. Nailor and Tucker are the two smaller guys who have speed and versatility to play either in the slot or downfield. Then Bech and Thornton are the two guys with dedicated roles: Bech is the big-body receiver who gets open vs. zone coverage, and Thornton is the downfield, big-body receiver who beats man press with speed.
The next two positions, if they even decide to keep six wide receivers, as some teams keep just five, are more difficult. The easy way out would be to say that Dareke Young, the former Seahawks WR they signed this offseason, and Malik Benson, whom they drafted, are the next two in line for the next two spots. However, there’s more competition than meets the eye. Any one of the very talented UDFA WRs could take that spot.
Phillip Dorsett and Shedrick Jackson were on the team last season. UDFA WRs EJ Williams, Chase Roberts, Jonathan Brady, and Corey Rucker are all very talented. They could make some noise, too. It’s very clear they have a talented room, and some tough decisions to make. The Raiders like where they are with the wide receivers.
“I like our WR room, I love Tre Tucker, we’re excited about Jalen Nailor, we drafted Jack Bech in the second, we have belief in Jack, we drafted Dont’e Thornton in the 4th last year, we believe in him, I’m excited with Malik Benson,” general manager John Spytek said on the Kay Adams show.
Many thought the Raiders would go and sign a veteran wide receiver. However, it’s clear that Kubiak will let it play out.