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Raiders hoping to gain something from training camp battle

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Derek Hegna | Last updated Aug 22, 2025 9:44 AM ET

With just under a week remaining in training camp, the Las Vegas Raiders are still undecided in a few spots.

Jackson Powers-Johnson has gone from a surefire starter to a curious case in the past couple of months. While many assumed Powers-Johnson would slide into the starting center role, that has now been taken over by Jordan Meredith. Instead, the 2024 second-round pick will be asked to try his hand at guard, which he did play in the first half of his rookie season.

However, even at this point, it does not appear that the Raiders are ready to name Powers-Johnson a starter yet.

Are the Raiders taking an unnecessary risk with Powers-Johnson at this stage?

As of Wednesday’s training camp practice session and the unofficial depth chart for the Raiders’ final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, Powers-Johnson is still splitting first-team reps with Alex Cappa at right guard.

There’s been a rotation at 1st team RG today at @Raiders practice between JPJ and Cappa.

— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) August 20, 2025

It is understandable why the Raiders insist on playing their five best offensive linemen wherever they can, but the idea that Powers-Johnson is not one of them can only lead to serious issues down the road.

Cappa was the first offseason signing by the Raiders, joining the Silver and Black on a two-year pact worth $11 million after being released by the Cincinnati Bengals. The move comes after Cappa’s worst season in the NFL, putting up a paltry 39.7 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. The veteran has also suffered from injury woes this training camp, but the Raiders still insist that there is competition between him and Powers-Johnson.

The Raiders have clearly sent their message to Powers-Johnson that nothing will be handed to him, but now should be the time to give him a vote of confidence and make him an official starter.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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