Three positions that the Raiders can get a little more clarity on vs. 49ers
The Las Vegas Raiders need to gain some clarity with a few of their position groups. They have positions that we think got better compared to last season, positions that may have gotten worse, and other positions where we just don't know.Now, with the preseason, tell us everything we need to know. No. The starters […]
The Las Vegas Raiders need to gain some clarity with a few of their position groups. They have positions that we think got better compared to last season, positions that may have gotten worse, and other positions where we just don't know.
Now, with the preseason, tell us everything we need to know. No. The starters may not even play, as head coach Josh McDaniels wouldn't reveal his plan for the first unit, so there isn't a ton we can take away from the game.
We can, though, kind of get an idea of what still needs to be improved, what unit could cause some trouble during the season, and what units could be better than we thought. That's what preseason is for.
Position groups the Raiders will gain more clarity with
Is the secondary actually improved?
Last offseason, the Raiders had one of the worst secondary units in the league. This offseason, they made quite a few changes to the secondary, whether it be in free agency or the draft. We won't be able to tell if they are improved, but preseason game one will help give us an idea.
Even if the starters don't play, we should get to see rookies Jakorian Bennett and Christopher Smith. We should get to see guys like Duke Shelley and maybe even Amik Robertson. Be looking for the discipline in that unit to be better. But keep in mind, if the unit looks the same or even worse, it is just the preseason.
How does the right tackle position look?
Jermaine Eluemunor won the starting right tackle job outright at the end of last season. Coming into this year, he was the starter at the position. However, he has not had a great training camp. He has had penalty after penalty and even given up some "sacks" in practice.
However, Thayer Munford, a rookie last season, is having a good camp. In this preseason game, will we see Munford or Eluemunor start, and who is more effective or plays better?
How does Carter do in the return game, and does Tucker get any reps?
The Raiders drafted Tre Tucker because of his speed and ability to play special teams as a returner in all phases. However, they brought Deandre Carter in, who played very well as a returner for the Los Angeles Chargers last season.
We know that Carter may be the starting returner, and if he plays, how does he do? If he doesn't play, who is getting those other reps? Is it Tucker, or is it Hunter Renfrow, and how well do they play?
These are all the questions the Raiders are likely asking themselves before this game kicks off. They won't have an outright answer to any of them, but they will have some sort of clarity.
How to watch the Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco 49ers preseason game
It’s going to be a fun one.
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