Training camp gets underway this week for the Las Vegas Raiders with the season inching closer. In this latest edition of Raiders Notes, we’ll catch you up on the latest musings.
In what’s been one of the most prolific offseasons for the Raiders, training camp finally means that fans can look forward to actual football. Obviously, the news surrounding the new team president was huge and certainly would’ve made Al Davis proud. Another subject that’s been heavily talked about these past few months is the team’s rookie class. As most of you recall, the Raiders didn’t have a first or second-round pick this year following the Davante Adams trade. Acquiring a talent such as Adams is certainly worthy of that draft haul, though this left this year’s class short. The question now is, what are some realistic expectations for these rookies?
The Raiders won’t be rushing this year’s rookie class
Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal recently wrote on the organization’s outlook for its rookies. It should be obvious to anyone who understands football that this year’s rookie class shouldn’t be rushed. For example, take Dylan Parham, the versatile offensive lineman and third-round choice, who should play behind last year’s unit as he transitions into the NFL. He’s versatile and, at one point, could be a starting guard or perhaps the team’s starting center. Be that as it may, the new regime clearly believes in last year’s unit when you take into consideration that they were all retained. Parham can be developed this year with no rush and no heavy or unrealistic expectations placed on him.
The same goes for their other choices, especially their running backs. The Raiders are heading into this season with a potent one-two punch featuring Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake. If the team’s brass has no intention of retaining these two, you might as well milk them for everything they have left. While doing this, the team’s coaching staff, especially RB coach Kennedy Polamalu, can develop Brittain Brown and Zamir White. Again, no rush for these youngsters. For the first time in a long time, the Raiders have tons of depth at several (not all) positions, so it definitely makes sense to not rush anyone this season.
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