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Raiders Mailbag: What to expect as Raiders enter training camp

Jul 16, 2025 at 12:37 PM

Levi Edwards

Digital Team Reporter

Joseph (@MutationX2) asks:

"What does the practice schedule look like? Will we get more coverage of offense vs. defense?"

Rookies report for training camp this Thursday, while veterans arrive five days later on July 22.

The team will immediately start practicing the day after veterans report.

Fans can get in on the action in Allegiant Stadium on August 2 for an open practice. The next week, the Raiders travel to the Pacific Northwest for their first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on August 7.

Another important date to keep an eye on is August 14, as the Raiders will host the San Francisco 49ers for a joint practice. They'll compete against each other in the Raiders' lone home preseason game on August 16. After another week of practices and their final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on August 23, the initial 53-man roster will be announced.

As for training camp coverage, you can expect live updates from yours truly @theleviedwards on X (shameless plug) as well as our Training Camp Notebook and more exclusive training camp content on Raiders.com and on all Raiders social media platforms.

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Phil Robinson III (@PhilRobinsonIII) asks:

"Rank camp battles."

There will be more than enough battles that will demand attention. After all, Pete Carroll is all about competition.

A certain position group on offense I've been locked in on is the offensive line. It's a deep group of young players trying to earn reps and veteran players trying to keep their jobs. The Raiders signed Alex Cappa this offseason and drafted Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. I expect these three to compete with the likes of Dylan Parham, Jordan Meredith, Thayer Munford Jr. and DJ Glaze for first-team reps. The latter quartet of players mentioned have started at least nine games for the Raiders over the last two seasons.

On the defensive side, the cornerback position will be a hot topic. The Raiders added Eric Stokes to the unit, who had 14 pass deflections his rookie season. They also drafted Darien Porter, who is regarded as one of the most athletic players in this draft class, and signed UDFA Mello Dotson, who was a First-Team All-Big 12 at Kansas last season.

They will compete for a job against a few players that have gained substantial reps for the team over the last few seasons, starting with Jakorian Bennett who is returning from a shoulder injury. Despite missing seven games, No. 0 finished the season with eight pass deflections. Decamerion Richardson could also be in line for a bigger role heading into his second season. The 6-foot-2, 195 pounder provides good size at the position and started seven games his rookie campaign.

Jorge Alanis (@raider_al82) asks:

"Amari Gainer, chance to start for him?"

On a Pete Carroll team, everyone has a chance.

The Raiders nearly turned over their entire linebacking corps, with Gainer and Tommy Eichenberg being the only two returning players in the room.

Gainer has seemingly made noticeable strides from his rookie season, even in the small sample sizes showcased in OTAs. He also seems to have taken his training regimen very seriously over the last few months, coming into mandatory minicamp as one of the more chiseled players on the roster and winning The Sampson Award voted on by players, staff, nutrition and training staff.

He was one of two rookie UDFAs to make the initial 53-man roster last season and earned a prominent role on special teams. Additionally, he was one of nine defensive players to appear in all 17 games last season for the Silver and Black. Once pads come on, the second-year linebacker will receive his opportunity to earn his keep on this Raiders defense.

"Man, that guy works extremely hard and he talks a lot," Devin White said about Gainer. "He works extremely hard and he talks a lot, but he will help this team with his energy and his dog mentality."

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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) signs autographs before the Battle For Vegas at Las Vegas Ballpark.