Once again throwing out the disclaimer here, this is a series where we will look over underrated players that could end up having a significant impact on the game, not the usual “Watch out for Jonathan Taylor! He is really good!”.
Adetomiwa Adebawore
Adebawore has been enjoying a breakout season so far, an unexpected one. He had a career game against the Rams on limited snaps, facing perhaps the hardest quarterback to pressure in the NFL because of his IQ and how fast he gets the ball out. Geno Smith, Raiders’ quarterback, is not characterized by either a strong pocket presence, or getting the ball out fast, giving the Colts’ pass-rushers a prime opportunity to have a massive effect on the game. Adebawore has solidified his status as the main rotational defensive tackle, displacing Eric Johnson II, and slowly eating into Neville Gallimore’s snaps. With how creative Anarumo is with his defensive line, watch out for Ade Ade on Sunday.
Johnathan Edwards
UDFA Johnathan Edwards has played just 11 snaps, but with cornerback Xavien Howard suddenly retiring, after getting absolutely demolished by Puka Nacua, there is a decent chance that Edwards will be starting for the Colts on Sunday. The Raiders’ receivers are not as dangerous as Puka and Davante Adams, but they can still give the Colts’ headaches. If Anarumo decides to have Charvarius Ward follow Jakobi Meyers, then that would leave Edwards lined up against Tre Tucker, who is leading the Raiders in touchdowns, and is a player who can take the top off the defense on any play. It showed against the Rams that no matter how good the other secondary players are, if the opposing team identifies a clear weak link they can just dedicate themselves to exploiting that, so hopefully Edwards holds up better than Howard.
Mike Hilton
With Kenny Moore once again most likely out for the game, Mike Hilton will be once again the starting nickel cornerback. Now like I said before, opposing teams will just continue picking on the weak link of the secondary, and if Edwards ends up being solid, that could easily be Hilton, who had not played in a long time before the Colts signed him. The Raiders rotate what receiver they use in the slot, with either Meyers or Tucker getting some reps there, and if they identify the opportunity to attack there, Hilton could end up seeing a lot of work.
Stone Forsythe (Raiders)
Raiders’ left tackle Kolton Miller will miss Sunday’s game after suffering a high-ankle sprain that also resulted in a hairline fracture. The Colts would be wise to try and exploit new starting tackle Stone Forsythe. Even though he has an amazing name, has been a subpar pass-blocker his entire NFL career. Laiatu Latu is coming off the best game of his career, and should be salivating at the prospect of going up against Forsythe. There is also the chance that the Raiders are forced to use their tight ends and running backs more in pass-protection, which would lift a massive weight off the linebackers shoulders, considering how bad they have been in pass-coverage.
Kyu Blu Kelly (Raiders)
Alec Pierce looks like he will be ready to play on Sunday, taking back the No. 2 wide receiver role opposite of Michael Pittman Jr. He was missed against the Rams, because of Mitchell’s mental mistakes that costed the team the game, and will probably be opposite Kyu Blu Kelly (seriously the Raiders have the coolest names in the NFL man). Kelly has been targeted 21 times so far this season, and has been the weak link in the Raiders’ secondary.
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