The Las Vegas Raiders are about a week away from the start of training camp. As the players prepare for position battles and padded practices, the coaching staff must be aware of a few factors that can make or break the team’s 2025 season.
First and foremost, the Raiders should have a plan to fill a starting role if one of their high-paid defensive players is out for a period of time.
Moreover, despite the continuity under defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and his willingness to make adjustments under head coach Pete Carroll, the Raiders have uncertainties on that side of the ball that could turn into major flaws if inexperienced players struggle in their development.
Offensively, Las Vegas has a young unit, specifically at the skill positions. That being said, the front line has a couple of wide-open battles and much room for growth.
We’ll go in-depth on these three factors as the keys to the Raiders’ 2025 season. If the club adequately addresses the potential issues below, the Silver and Black could surprise this year. Conversely, these question marks raise concerns.
Compensating for loss or limitations of Christian Wilkins
When the veterans report on July 22, Christian Wilkins’ status will generate headlines. He hasn’t played since early October because of a Jones fracture. The seventh-year veteran has gone through a lengthy recovery process and currently wears a walking boot on his injured foot.
Carroll called Wilkins’ recovery “a challenging process” during the spring, but he also said there’s plenty of time for him to get back on the field.
“Locked On Raiders” podcast host Q Myers believes Wilkins will open training camp on the physically unable to perform list, which would create opportunities for backups to take on bigger roles.
According to The Athletic’s Tashan Reed, Zach Carter took snaps with the first-team defense in place of Wilkins. As the team goes through training camp, rookies Tonka Hemingway and JJ Pegues could see more snaps at defensive tackle with the first-stringers.
Adam Butler has been the most consistent defensive tackle on the roster, logging five sacks in 2023 and 2024. At 31, he may be the team’s best pass-rusher and run-stopper at the position. Without a strong presence on the interior, teams will look to run the ball up the middle. Also, the defensive front can’t allow quarterbacks to get comfortable stepping up in the pocket.
Growth of inexperienced secondary
Carroll has a strong track record of developing long, athletic defensive backs. He played a key role in developing the Legion of Boom with the Seattle Seahawks, which included unheralded players, such as former fifth-rounders Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor, along with former first-round pick Earl Thomas III.
The Raiders don’t have a defensive back with Thomas’ draft pedigree and accolades. Moreover, they have moved around Jeremy Chinn, who’s the most accomplished player in their secondary.
Carroll has the tough task of molding a young group into a formidable starting unit.
Last season, Jakorian Bennett rebounded from a subpar rookie campaign, but he missed seven games because of a torn labrum. Rookie third-rounder Darien Porter only started for one full collegiate season at Iowa State, though he’s closely compared to Sherman because of his background as a wide receiver.
Eric Stokes struggled with injuries and fell into a backup role over the past few years in Green Bay. Decamerion Richardson is entering his second year after playing sparingly in 2024.
At safety, Isaiah Pola-Mao has limited starting experience. He’ll try to carve out a role as the center fielder of the defense. Alongside him, Lonnie Johnson Jr. and Thomas Harper will compete for snaps when Chinn moves into the slot position. Johnson has started 20 out of 83 games. Harper is entering his second season after going undrafted last year.
Other than Chinn, the Raiders need at least two defensive backs to play at a high level, or else teams will attack their secondary with the deep passing game.
How quickly unsettled offensive line jells under Brennan Carroll
Brennan Carroll, Pete’s son, will have his first opportunity to be a lead offensive line coach on the pro level. He served as an assistant offensive line coach on Pete Carroll’s Seahawks staff and had previously coached the position at Arizona and Washington over the past four years.
Brennan Carroll will have some help from experienced offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, but he holds a key position on the staff given the Raiders’ need for development along the offensive line.
Remember, Las Vegas will have competitive battles at both guard spots. Though Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze are in line to start at center and right tackle, respectively, they’re entering their second year as pros.
Carroll and the offensive coaching staff must field a solid five-man unit that’s able to protect the quarterback and open lanes for Kelly’s run game. The offensive line will either enable signal-caller Geno Smith and rookie running back Ashton Jeanty to perform at their peak levels or limit the effectiveness and productivity of the offense.
Maurice Moton covers the Raiders for Sportsnaut. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton.
