3 defensive players to watch for the Raiders vs. Cowboys

Justin Churchill — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer

Aug 25, 2023 12:35 PM EDT

It's not often you can say that a preseason game is one of the biggest games of a player's career; however, it is for three of the Las Vegas Raiders' young defenders.

The Raiders have a better defense on paper than they did last year, so it's not as easy to make the 53-man as it maybe was in 2022. A lot of guys are fighting for spots on the team, and we will see players we usually don't see a lot play their hearts out.

Three guys in particular need this game, and they need it to go well.

Raiders defenders to watch vs. Cowboys

Amari Burney, LB – Burney's situation is a bit different because he isn't at risk of not making the roster. When Darien Butler and Darius Harris got hurt, Burney moved right up into that backup linebacker role. However, he may not get to play a ton in the regular season, so he should get some run on Saturday night.

He's a guy to watch because he still has a lot of development left. Burney is a former defensive back turned linebacker. His skills still need sharpening, so that is what this game will be all about for him. Nurney has a lot of potential, though, especially in coverage as a linebacker, so be watching how he does against the Cowboys' tight ends and any other receiver that goes over the middle.

Curtis Bolton, LB – Now, this is a guy who needs this game to go well for him badly, and with the way he has been playing this preseason, it probably will. Bolton has been one of the best linebackers in the preseason for the Raiders, but he is still stuck down the depth chart. If he can play well in this one, he may save himself a spot on the roster.

Bolton's preseason has seen him create havoc, whether through forced fumbles or big hits. But he still needs to work on his coverage game. I think Robert Spillane and Amari Burney are ahead of him right now on the depth chart. If he has a huge game again, Bolton could move up past Burney.

Isaiah Pola-Mao, S – The nephew of the legendary safety Troy Polamalu had himself a great game last week where he had a pick-six against the Los Angeles Rams. He doesn't necessarily need to do that again, but he does need to have a huge game, or he won't make the roster. There is a chance he could have a good game, and he still won't make the roster.

That is nothing against him, but the Raiders like who they have ahead of him in Tre'von Moehrig and Roderic Teamer. However, the potential is there for Pola-Mao. He needs to go out and stun people.

The Raiders have some good problems on their hands this year, where they have too many good defensive players on the roster and not enough spots. We will see how things start to shape up after the third preseason game.