The Las Vegas Raiders are gearing up for their second preseason game of the year, squaring off against the franchise’s former Bay Area rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. Beyond both fanbases despising one another, this matchup is interesting since the Raiders leaned heavily on offensive players in last April’s NFL draft, while the 49ers loaded up on defenders.
So, there are a handful of rookie-on-rookie battles to keep tabs on Saturday afternoon, especially in the trenches.
One note before diving in, with no injury report and several starters not playing in the preseason, there’s a chance a player or two below doesn’t suit up for the game.
Charles Grant vs. Mykel Williams
In reference to the note above, Williams hyperextended a knee last week and didn’t participate in San Francisco’s first preseason game. He didn’t work Thursday in the joint practice, either. So, there’s a chance he won’t play this weekend. However, if he does, the Georgia product presents a significant challenge for Grant.
Williams was an excellent run defender in college, possessing impressive strength to set the edge and record 23 tackles for loss over three seasons. While his pass-rush skills could use some polish, he did manage to rack up 14 sacks in Athens, primarily winning with power.
Meanwhile, Grant’s play strength is one of his biggest question marks in the transition from FCS to the NFL. Also, the third-round pick had a tough time in his professional debut last week, earning a 53.4 grade from Pro Football Focus against the Seattle Seahawks. In other words, not only is this an opportunity for Grant to work on one of his weaknesses, but it’s also important for him to have a bounce-back performance.
Even if Williams doesn’t play, the 49ers have another notable edge rusher in Bryce Huff, who has 20 sacks in five NFL seasons and is just two years removed from a 10-sack campaign. Obviously, that’s not a rookie-rookie matchup, but it is an opportunity for Grant to prove himself against someone who has had success in the league.
Caleb Rogers vs. Alfred Collins & C.J. West
Rogers had a strong showing as a pas protector in Seattle, surrendering just one pressure on 30 opportunities, according to PFF. However, he had a tough time in the ground game with a mark of 46.3. Unfortunately, that’s not going to get any easier this weekend.
Collins was one of the better interior run defenders in this year’s draft class, showcasing impressive strength to be a monster in the trenches. He defeated one-on-one blocks with ease and was stout against double teams at Texas, which is likely the reason San Francisco used a second-round pick on him. That sets up for an interesting battle between the two rookies from the Lone Star State.
Additionally, the 49ers double-dipped at defensive tackle in the draft, spending a fourth-rounder on West. Like Collins, the Indiana product also has impressive strength to be a factor against the run. But he’s also quick and athletic to be effective when slanting, adding an extra element to the former Hoosier’s game.
So, regardless of which rookie lines up across from Rogers, he’ll be facing some quality competition.
West suffered a knee injury in Thursday’s joint practice, but appears to have avoided a major injury, per NBC Sports’ Mat Maiocco. Vic Tafur of The Athletic (new 49ers reporter and a traitor) reported that it’s a hyperextended knee for the defensive tackle.
Jack Bech vs. Upton Stout
The Raiders’ coaching staff has reportedly been moving Bech around more recently and listed him behind Tre Tucker (an outside receiver) on the most recent depth chart. But the second-round pick is still expected to take a good amount of snaps in the slot this season, and that means he should be facing off against Stout for a handful of reps on Saturday.
At 6’1 1/4” and 214 pounds, the wideout shouldn’t have much trouble doing what he does best, hauling in contested catches, against the 5’8 1/2” and 181-pound corner. According to Bleacher Report, that was one of Stout’s weaknesses as a draft prospect. That’s good news for the former Horned Frog since he had a quiet debut against the Seahawks with just one catch for five yards.
But where these two can really get after it is in the running game. Bech was known for being a good blocking receiver at TCU, while the Western Kentucky product is fiesty and can be a menace against the run at nickelback. That sets up for some interesting battles in Las Vegas’ perimeter run and screen games.
Albeit Stout is nursing a calf injury, which 49ers’ head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team is being cautious with (h/t Niners Wire’s Josh Helmer). Shanahan didn’t rule the defensive back out for the game, though.
