Raiders change around depth options ahead of preseason

The Las Vegas Raiders are giving their offensive weapons a minor makeover before their first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday.

On Sunday, the team announced that they had signed wide receiver Kawaan Baker and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam.

In corresponding roster moves, the Raiders have waived tight end Pat Conroy and wide receiver Kyle Philips.

Baker was a seventh-round selection of the New Orleans Saints in the 2021 NFL Draft, appearing in two games for the team. Prior to that, he shined at the University of South Alabama, recording 126 catches for 1,829 yards and 16 touchdowns in his four years there.

Okwuegbunam was a fourth-round pick of the Denver Broncos in the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons in Denver, followed by stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts. With 30 NFL games under his belt, the Missouri product has recorded 54 receptions for 546 yards and four touchdowns.

The two add depth to the offense, but both are going to face uphill battles to make the 53-man roster.

Baker is likely competing for the last receiver spot on the roster with fellow veterans Collin Johnson and Alex Bachman. Meanwhile, Okwuegbunam has a loaded tight end room in front of him, with Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer locked in and veteran Ian Thomas providing a unique skillet to the room. Both could impress the Raiders coaching staff enough, however, to warrant practice squad spots.

Both moves are little more than a restructuring of depth, but the injury to safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. on Sunday could mean bigger moves are on the horizon.