Anthony Bardalo from California asks:
"Who will get good playing time this preseason?"
To state the obvious, the Raiders' rookie class will probably see the field a good bit.
However, there are a few rookies that could see far more reps than other. That's a great thing for several reasons.
Ashton Jeanty, Darien Porter and Dont'e Thornton Jr. have enjoyed successful training camps and are in the driver's seat to become starters this season. Therefore, the coaching staff will most likely roll out some other guys for substantial playing time to see what role they could play on the roster.
Of those players, Jack Bech and Greedy Vance come to mind. Bech has made multiple highlight reel catches in camp and impresses as a run blocker. While currently second on the unofficial depth chart at slot receiver, he could earn a prominent role for the season with a good preseason showing.
And as for rookie UDFAs on the roster, Vance has a good shot at making the initial 53-man roster. With an interception and a handful of pass breakups in camp, he's worked his way into second-team reps.
Along with Bech and Vance, Caleb Rogers, Tonka Hemingway and Cam Miller are also rookies to keep an eye on heading into Seattle.
"Like I've said to you guys from the start, I'm not hesitant to play young guys," Pete Carroll said Tuesday. "And we've kind of almost forced them into it and forced to feed them until they show us who they are, what they're all about and how much they can handle. And it isn't all on them. It's on us to make sure that we ask them to do things that they're capable of doing at this time."
Sam Hoff from Montana asks:
"How is Tommy Mellott fairing in camp?"
Learning an entirely new position during your first NFL training camp isn't an easy task. Nevertheless, Tommy Mellott has embraced the challenge.
The first week of camp, Mellott largely saw the field on special teams. Tom McMahon has placed him in position to try out kick and punt returns and also work with the coverage team. In the last couple of practices I've watched, he's been earning more reps on offense with a few catches from Aidan O'Connell and Cam Miller in team period.
And while adjusting to a new position at the next level, his experience playing quarterback has helped him more than he'd realize.
"I essentially knew where people would be at what timing," Mellott said. "I do believe that I still have that intuition feeling as a receiver, but yeah, there's so many different details, and there's so much."
"It's all like a dance. It's an art every single play," he added. "And so, again, getting to watch the guys taking in every single rep I possibly can, watching them – if it's routes on air, if it's just a route during team that I'm not in – and just watching all those guys, seeing how they do it because it's almost like a dance in and out of the defense."
John Hanson from California asks:
"Has there been any improvement in the Raiders' pass protection?"
There's reason to be optimistic that the Raiders will be a better pass blocking team heading into this season.
Starting with the blind side, Kolton Miller wasn't necessarily himself in 2024. He missed most of training camp while recovering from shoulder surgery amd ended up allowing 11 sacks, his most since his rookie season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Now fully healthy, Miller has played well this training camp, also being rewarded with a multi-year extension.
The team is also exploring their options in the interior offensive line with Jordan Meredith, Jackson Powers-Johnson and Alex Cappa. Meredith showed great promise last season in his eight starts, prompting the coaching staff to place him at center. Powers-Johnson and Cappa are involved in a healthy competition for the starting right guard spot.
"We have a lot of guys returning, and there's a sense of maturity, especially maturity from the young guys," Miller said. "The young guys are pushing the old guys, the older guys. So, it's been real cool to see, and the pads have come on, but there hasn't been much regression, so we keep carrying it over and keep getting better. It's been real cool to see."
As the Silver and Black prepare for their first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, take a look back at their past matchups through the years.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Pat Toomay (67) and defensive tackle Dave Rowe (74) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 6, 1977, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders tackle Lindsey Mason (71) and quarterback David Humm (11) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, October 22, 1978, in Seattle, Wash.
The Oakland Raiders during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, September 16, 1979, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders tight end Dave Casper (87) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 16, 1979, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland raiders defensive end Cedrick Hardman (86) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, Sunday, September 20, 1981, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Rod Martin (53) and linebacker Ted Hendricks (83) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, November 29, 1981, in Seattle, Wash.
Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett (16) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 5, 1982, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders center/guard Dave Dalby (50) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 5, 1982, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, October 16, 1983, in Seattle, Wash.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the postseason AFC Championship home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, January 8, 1984, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett (16) during the postseason AFC Championship home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, January 8, 1984, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders center Dave Dalby (50) and quarterback Marc Wilson (6) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 7, 1984, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Monday, November 12, 1984, in Seattle, Wash.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the postseason away AFC Wild Card game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Saturday, December 22, 1984, in Seattle, Wash.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Dokie Williams (85) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 1985, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Napoleon McCallum (34) and guard Mickey Marvin (65) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 12, 1986, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders center Don Mosebar (72) and quarterback Rusty Hilger (12) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 25, 1987, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the postseason AFC Championship home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, January 8, 1984, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Monday, November 28, 1988, in Seattle, Wash.
Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Jay Schroeder (13) and center Bill Lewis (51) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 18, 1988, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders placekicker Jeff Jaeger (18) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 1, 1989, in Los Angeles, Calif.
The Los Angeles Raiders during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 1, 1989, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders tight end Trey Junkin (87) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, December 17, 1989, in Seattle, Wash.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, September 16, 1990, in Seattle, Wash.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Nick Bell (38) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, October 13, 1991, in Seattle, Wash.
Los Angeles Raiders guard Steve Wisniewski (76) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, November 17, 1991, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders defensive end Anthony Smith (94) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, October 18, 1992, in Seattle, Wash.
Los Angeles Raiders linebacker Aaron Wallace (51) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, November 15, 1992, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Nick Bell (38) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 12, 1993, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders linebacker Greg Biekert (54) and defensive tackle Jerry Ball (93) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, September 11, 1994, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders defensive end Alberto White (96) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, December 18, 1994, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 8, 1995, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Pat Swilling (56) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, December 17, 1995, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Greg Biekert (54) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, November 24, 1996, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Lorenzo Lynch (43) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 22, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders tight end Andrew Glover (87) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 22, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Tim Hall (45) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, October 26, 1997, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Darrell Russell (96) and defensive end Aundray Bruce (99) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 14, 1997, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Donald Hollas (12) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, November 1, 1998, in Seattle, Wash.
The Oakland Raiders during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 15, 1998, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker K.D. Williams (59) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome , Sunday, October 3, 1999, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Sam Sword (56) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, December 5, 1999, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders tackle Lincoln Kennedy (72) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, October 22, 2000, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Tony Bryant (94) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Husky Stadium, Saturday, December 16, 2000, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson (24) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, September 30, 2001, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Grady Jackson (90) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Husky Stadium, Sunday, November 11, 2001, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders running back Charlie Garner (25) rushes for a 20-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, September 8, 2002, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo (8) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field, Thursday, August 31, 2006, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Kirk Morrison (52) and linebacker Sam Williams (54) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field, Monday, November 6, 2006, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins (15) returns a punt for a 90-yard touchdown during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field, Thursday, August 30, 2007, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Carlos Francis (82) and cornerback Marquice Cole (18) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field, Thursday, August 30, 2007, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders fullback Luke Lawton (44), linebacker Jon Alston (47), defensive back Adam Archuleta (42) and tight end Chris Wagner (43) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field, Friday, August 29, 2008, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Chris Cooper (78) during the preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Thursday, September 2, 2010, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Michael Bennett (32) during the preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Thursday, September 2, 2010, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 31, 2010, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders guard Robert Gallery (76) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 31, 2010, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Derrick Hill (98) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, Friday, September 2, 2011, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders running back Mike Goodson (25) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, Thursday, August 30, 2012, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Nathan Stupar (54) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, Thursday, August 30, 2012, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, Thursday, August 29, 2013, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings (27) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, Thursday, August 29, 2013, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders guard Kevin Boothe (67) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks at O.co Coliseum, Thursday, August 28, 2014, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Stacy McGee (92) during the preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks at O.co Coliseum, Thursday, August 28, 2014, in Oakland, Calif.
The Oakland Raiders line up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Century Link Field, Sunday, November 2, 2014, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Brice Butler (12) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Century Link Field, Sunday, November 2, 2014, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Denico Autry (96) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Century Link Field, Thursday, September 3, 2015, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Rod Streater (80) goes to make a 28-yard touchdown catch during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Century Link Field, Thursday, September 3, 2015, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Shelby Harris (75) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Century Link Field, Thursday, September 3, 2015, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders tackle Darius Latham (75) and defensive end Jihad Ward (95) during the preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Thursday, September 1, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.
The Oakland Raiders line up before the snap during the preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Thursday, September 1, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Shilique Calhoun (91) during the preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Thursday, September 1, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Keon Hatcher (14) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field, Thursday, August 30, 2018, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, Eng.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee (55) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, Eng.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) during the Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field, Thursday, August 29, 2019, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Jason Cabinda (53) during the Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field, Thursday, August 29, 2019, in Seattle, Wash.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Matt Bushman (84) during the preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium, Saturday, August 14, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (99) ad defensive end Carl Nassib (94) during the preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium, Saturday, August 14, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) makes an 18-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, Sunday, November 27, 2022, in Seattle, Wash.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) rushes during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, Sunday, November 27, 2022, in Seattle, Wash.
