The Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs have nothing to play for and both teams are expected to start backup quarterbacks in Week 18. So, instead of highlighting key matchups for the Raiders, this week’s game preview focuses on five young players who should get more playing time in the season finale.
In full disclosure, rookies Caleb Rogers, Tonka Hemingway and JJ Pegues were not included because they’ve been getting regular playing time over the last month.
Charles Grant
It was understandable why Grant didn’t play in the first half and maybe even the first three months of the season. He relied on being bigger, stronger and more athletic than opposing defensive linemen at the FCS level, and his technique needed a lot of work coming out of college. However, Stone Forsythe and DJ Glaze have allowed the most and second-most sacks among offensive tackles this season with 11 and 10, respectively, per Pro Football Focus. Also, those two haven’t been much better in the run game, owning sub-par PFF run blocking grades.
Meanwhile, the William & Mary product has received some run over the last three weeks, recording eight snaps as an extra tight end and six at left tackle in garbage time. Obviously, that’s a small sample size, but he’s shown promise and, more importantly, improved technique on the limited opportunities. Grant’s footwork has been much better than it was in college by maintaining a wide base and not crossing his feet over or heel clicking in pass protection, while also showing improved pad level.
In other words, the time is now for the rookie to get a bigger opportunity and show what he can do heading into the offseason.
The Bergs
I’m cheating a bit here by listing two players under one subhead, but the logic is the same. Devin White and Elandon Roberts have been Las Vegas’ primary linebackers all season. However, White (39.2) owns the fourth-worst PFF grade at the position and Roberts (53.1) ranks 72nd out of 94 qualifiers (minimum 218 snaps). Additionally, both are on one-year contracts and shouldn’t be brought back in the offseason. So, it would be smart to give Tommy Eichenberg and Cody Lindenberg bigger opportunities to prove themselves.
Eichenberg has seen the field the most out of all the players listed here, recording 71 defensive snaps on the season. Also, he’s been part of the Raiders’ linebacker rotation for about a month but still hasn’t received 15 or more snaps in a game this year. Especially since he’s been one of the club’s best special teamers, leading the team with 18 total tackles on special teams and owning the third-best ST grade (73.5), it’s time to reward the 2024 fifth-round pick with more reps on defense.
Meanwhile, Lindenberg hasn’t recorded a snap defensively. But, like Eichenberg, the rookie has been a good specialist with eight tackles and a team-leading 79.5 mark in that department. Also like Eichenberg, it’s time to reward the Minnesota product and see what he can do on the second level of the defense.
Greedy Vance
It seems like this is already in the works since Vance doubled his snap count last week against the New York Giants, receiving 35 defensive snaps to bump his figure up to 70 for the campaign. That trend needs to continue in the season finale.
The undrafted free agent did struggle in coverage during Week 17, allowing three completions on four targets for 30 yards. However, a lot of his issues were minor and can be chalked up to a lack of experience: not playing with the correct leverage or trusting his leverage, and getting caught trying to overplay or anticipate routes rather than reacting to them. In other words, it wasn’t as if he looked overmatched physically or athletically out there.
Additionally, Vance had a handful of intriguing reps against the run and as a blitzer, two other elements of the game that are important for nickelbacks. Seeing as Las Vegas should be looking for someone who can cover the slot this offseason, the organization might as well take advantage of one more opportunity to see what the USC product can bring to the table.
Decamerion Richardson
After receiving over 550 defensive snaps as a rookie last year, it’s surprising that Richardson hasn’t played a down defensively in 2025. Granted, the Raiders do have another young cornerback in third-round pick Darien Porter, who also needs as many reps as possible, and free-agent signing Eric Stokes has been solid this season. However, Stokes is on a one-year deal and has played in 15 games to show the front office what he can bring to the team.
In a contest that means nothing and is actually more beneficial for Las Vegas to lose, there’s no reason not to give the second-year pro a bigger opportunity. Plus, in the same vein as The Bergs and Dylan Laube, Richardson has been a key special teamer this year and deserves to get rewarded.
Dylan Laube
As mentioned above, Laube has contributed as a specialist this year. His primary duties have been as a kick returner, where he’s logged 835 yards, which ranks 10th in the NFL, per PFF. However, the 2024 sixth-round pick only has 10 offensive touches on the campaign. The New Hampshire product was drafted to be a potential third-down back, which the Raiders should be in the market for this offseason.
Considering the team’s other options behind Ashton Jeanty are impending free agents Raheem Mostert and Zamir White, this Sunday is a great opportunity to see how the backfield combination of Jeanty and Laube can function.
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