Edwards: 3 Raiders to watch in 2025 preseason finale

Aug 22, 2025 at 10:12 AM

Levi Edwards

Digital Team Reporter

Heading into the 2025 preseason finale, Pete Carroll doesn't need any of his players to do anything out of character.

He's not looking for anyone to try and be Superman against the Arizona Cardinals.

"I don't want them to try to be like somebody else. I want them to be the best version of themselves in the face of all that may be built up in their minds," the head coach said. "I going to try to calm them down as much as possible, and trusting that the work that we've done, the reps that we've taken, will give them if they can execute that on gameday, again, under these circumstances, and they can handle it and deal with it really well."

This final preseason game will give the coaching and front office staff one last opportunity to evaluate their team before roster cuts that must be finalized by Tuesday.

"[W]e've got an eye on all those preseason games as they come in and constantly kind of monitoring all those situations," Assistant General Manager Brian Stark said. "Because our goal is to put the best roster we can, so we're going to explore every option there is. It starts with knowing our roster first, to understand where our strengths and deficiencies are, where we think we can get better, but I was taught early in my career that the most important evaluation is self evaluation."

Before kickoff, here are three players to keep an eye on in Saturday's game.

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Alex Bachman, Wide receiver

It's been a long road for Alex Bachman.

The former Wake Forest receiver spent time with the Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants and Houston Texans before signing with the Raiders in 2024. He split time between the active roster and the practice squad throughout the year, appearing in six games.

After signing a future/reserves contract this offseason, he's come into OTAs and training camp locked in. He's been a consistent target with the second-team unit and has recorded four catches for 51 yards in the past two preseason games.

"He's one of those guys who can play every spot," said Chris Beatty, wide receivers coach. "He's a pro. He's been in it so long, he knows in and outs, how to run routes, how to actually be a professional receiver. So, those things make it easy for him. He can see coverages and be able to read them and play a little bit faster than he really is. He's done a great job."

With another good showing in Arizona, he could make a serious push to be the fifth or sixth receiver on the roster, and it would be the first time he'd make a initial 53-man roster in his career.

"I take pride in my journey," Bachman said. "I'm trying to be an inspiration to the next guy. I think that's what's kept me going. ... But just all those different things I've had to overcome to finally have that breakthrough, it would be awesome, it would be great. But like I said, there's only so much that's in my control. I control what I put on the field every day."

Thomas Booker IV, Defensive tackle

Thomas Booker IV is not necessarily competing for a roster spot, but very much a starting role.

After appearing in every game for the the Philadelphia Eagles in their 2024 Super Bowl run, he was traded to the Silver and Black in the midst of training camp. While originally considered a move to add depth to the interior line, he's consistently seen first-team reps in practice and started in last Saturday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. He's recorded four tackles so far.

"I'm excited to see what I can do," Booker said after the trade. "I see that the the organization believes in me, like they believe in all the players here. You can feel it, it's palpable. So, you know, I'm just trying to give them a great return on investment."

If the preseason is an indicator for what to come, he'll be featured heavily in a rotation with Jonah Laulu, Adam Butler, Tonka Hemingway and Tyree Wilson. But once again, a good showing against the Cardinals could earn him a more prominent role.

"He's done really well," Carroll said of Booker. "I mean, quick learner. Just pick stuff up right off the bat. He's right now battling to play a lot and that means he's going with ones quite a bit. He deserves to. He's already shown that. I'm really excited about our chance to get him here, and he's an amazing kid. I can't wait for you guys to talk to him, to hear from him; he's really something."

Greedy Vance, Cornerback

Of the rookie UDFAs currently on the roster, Greedy Vance possibly has the best chance to make the initial 53.

The former USC Trojan has had flashes in camp and is working his way up to earning more reps in the process. His composure at this level makes sense considering he played in 54 career games in college.

He's made an impression on Carroll as well, which is even more impressive considering the head coach's affinity for tall, physically imposing cornerbacks. Vance stands at 5-foot-9, 177 pounds.

"Greedy Vance, he did a nice job too," Carroll said earlier in camp. "He's a young kid coming out of nowhere, not USC nowhere, but just being a free agent and all that, little guy, he played like crazy yesterday and again today."

There's a high level of competition in the cornerback room, but one thing Carroll has shown is he's not scared to put young players on the field. While competing for a role with Decamerion Richardson, Kyu Blu Kelly and fellow rookie Darien Porter, Vance doesn't look too far off from a talent perspective from my eye test. His ability to show flashes in special teams coverage will also play a huge factor as well.

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Las Vegas Raiders guard Atonio Mafi (56) walks to the weight room before practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.