Three Raiders in need of a big final few weeks of camp

On Thursday, the Las Vegas Raiders will be joined by the San Francisco 49ers for a joint practice.

For players on the roster bubble, this week will do wonders for their status going forward. Performing well against players on an opposing team and improving on what was an up-and-down effort in the Raiders’ first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks could be what some players need to cement themselves on the Week One roster. With a little over two weeks remaining until the roster cutoff date of Aug. 26, time is of the essence for players to state their case.

Here are three players who need to put together a strong performance during a high-stakes week.

JT Woods, CB

Woods looked like a potential contributor during training camp, but the game against the Seahawks was a reminder that the 2022 third-round pick is still a work in progress.

Woods did not have the best of days against Seattle, finishing the game with a Pro Football Focus grade of 35.6. It is not a good look for a player fighting for a roster spot when the Raiders essentially have their top three cornerbacks figured out. Whether he is used as a cornerback or a safety, Woods has to show he is not just a versatile practice squad body.

It is not too late for Woods to change the narrative of his NFL career, but his Raiders debut put him on the back foot.

Trey Taylor, S

Taylor’s chances of landing a roster spot have taken a hit over the past few days.

Even after a forgettable performance against the Seahawks, Taylor has seen Chris Smith impress at training camp, putting him behind the eight ball already. To compound matters, the Raiders signed veteran safety Terrell Edmunds on Sunday, adding another competitor for Taylor to get a roster spot. With his Raiders future in doubt, Taylor needs to string together some quality performances to keep himself on the radar.

Taylor is one of the Raiders most in danger of getting bumped off the roster, but he can change that with a strong close to the preseason.

Amari Gainer, LB

Unlike the other names on the list, Gainer has a good case to make the 53-man roster on his own merits.

That being said, Gainer finds himself firmly in the glut of linebacker depth behind Germaine Pratt and Elandon Roberts. Jamal Adams put together a strong performance in his first game as a linebacker, putting himself in the conversation with veterans Devin White and Jaylon Smith for spots. Along with fellow young linebackers Tommy Eichenberg and Cody Lindenberg, Gainer is going to have to push harder than initially expected to get a roster spot.

Gainer’s youth might give him the benefit of the doubt in a close race, but a strong end of camp could erase all such doubt.