News Raiders Team Notes

[Las Vegas Raiders]

Raiders fans want a cornerback added

Pete Carroll | Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

It’s been a need all offseason

The Las Vegas Raiders’ need to add a cornerback has bene a topic throughout the offseason and it still is.

They have visited with and been rumored to have interest in multiple veterans at the position and yet nothing has developed.

So, we asked our community members if they would be fine if the Raiders don’t add a cornerback soon.

The results are clear: Fans want to see Las Vegas general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll add another player at the position for the season. In our poll, 62 percent of the voters want to see the Raiders sign a cornerback, while 38 think the team will be fine with their current group of corners.

I get the reason why this poll went the way it did.

Las Vegas has signed Erick Stokes in free agency and drafted Darien Porter n the third round. They are the current favorites to start on the outside during the regular season. They also have Darnay Holmes, Jakorian Bennett, Decamerion Richardson, Sam Webb and Ky Blu Kelly.

They can use some more depth there and the good thing is, there is time for it to happen.

Here are some of your responses. Sign up and go to the comments section.

Nunchucks
With the new and improved Raiders front office and scouting department... I am super confident that Spy is going to add a couple of quality free agents at CB and another DL, OL, Safety or WR before the season starts...preferably around the beginning of training camp...He says it's a constant process and he is patiently waiting for the right players to become available like roster cuts due to salary cap issues or for existing free agents that are done bargaining for a contract...need a team and finally are ready to sign their deals...Spy and his scouting department are not done yet Nation!...It's just getting started..."We are always looking for players that can improve the team"...John Spytek
jdg3
even if we get guys that step up as starters, we don't have much depth. Adding a vet would be a good idea.
My hope is JB and Porter end up earning the outside spots as they will be here beyond this year. Slot is an issue
enufizenuf
100% no, Has to be top priority. Right now our biggest need. PFF just named us dead last for cornerbacks and I agree. Even though Jones sucked, I think wiith the departure of him and Hobbs we're way worse off than last year, not to mention the continued injury problems of Wilkins. Patrick Graham has totally failed to produce good pass coverage, so why should this year be different, especially with diminished talent.​

Source: https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2025/7/16/24465888/raiders-needs-cornerback-2025-season-preview

 

[Las Vegas Raiders]

Special teams is where these Raiders can punch their roster ticket

Taken with the 222nd overall pick in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, linebacker Cody Lindenberg can punch his roster ticket by showcasing not only his defensive acumen, but his special teams prowess. | Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Rookies Cody Lindenberg, Darien Porter have special teams prowess to stick in Las Vegas

Pete Carroll’s Las Vegas Raiders are set to embark on all-important training camp at the tail end of this week and next. The rookies report first on July 17 with veterans joining their neophyte teammates on July 22.

The Silver & Black’s veteran head coach has preached open competition and earning roster spots since he was hired way back in January. So much so, the proper tagline for Carroll’s Raiders is: Com-Pete.

With NFL rosters bloated at 90, the staggering change to the 53-man roster come cutdown day is going to leave swaths of players on the waiver wire and free agent market — effectively ending the dream for many.

But as I’ve said before — and how the NFL has proven so — the easiest way to punch a roster ticket is to become a special teams standout. Raiders hopefuls don’t have to look very far for inspiration as safety Isaiah Pola-Mao followed this exact blueprint of shining on special teams and grinding to get starting snaps. There’s also former New England Patriots wide receivers Julian Edelman (special teamer to starter) and Matthew Slater (core special teamer for 16 seasons), and former Los Angeles Rams/Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Corey Littleton (special teamer to starter).

Thus, let’s take a look at five Raiders who can ensure they’re on the 53-man roster by making an impression on special teams boss Tom McMahon, the rest of the coaching staff, and general manager John Spytek.

Will the #Vikings regret not drafting LB Cody Lindenberg? @thorku thinks so pic.twitter.com/aX79usQ35D

— SKOR North - Minnesota Sports (@SKORNorth) June 19, 2025​

Cody Lindenberg​

Rookie, Linebacker​

Taken with the 222nd overall pick in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, this 6-foot-2 and 236-pound defender from Minnesota has the size and football IQ to make a run at earning one of the linebacker spots.

This Golden Gophers intelligence and instincts allow him to be patient, read and react, and flow to plays. And Lindenberg is a fundamentally sound tackler — a trait that’s golden for special teams work.

Las Vegas did waive Amari Burney (a linebacker who 2023 sixth-round pick who had 384 snaps on McMahon’s units in 2024) and those are snaps Lindenberg should gun for as a late-round rookie. A core special teams role is there for the taking.

Darien Porter​

Rookie, Cornerback​

Talk about a prototypical Carroll cornerback. This Iowa State product boasts a 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame with 33 1/8-inch arms and 4.3-flat (40-yard dash time) speed to boot. It’s no wonder the Raiders made Darien Porter the 68th overall pick (third round) in the 2025 draft.

That elite combination of size, speed, and length afforded Porter the ability to become a special teams maven in college as he racked up an ungodly five blocked kicks in his career at Iowa State.

He only had one full season as a starting cornerback for the Cyclones so while development and refinement is needed to become a defensive back in the Raiders’ defense, he arrives readymade to become an elite special teamer for McMahon, and that’s likely to make Porter a roster mainstay for years to come.

“Practice. And I’m going to be honest with you, experience. 999 reps of special teams. I’ve never, ever have seen that many in my career, personally,” McMahon said of Porter. “So, when you’ve played six years in college and you have that many reps, it’s practice. And he plays fast now. He’s a big player that plays really, really fast. He’s detailed and he’s got a lot of we can’t teach what he can do.”

"It's not the sexiest job... they are game-changing plays."

Darien Porter blocked a kick in Iowa State's win over K-State. The senior from Bettendorf has now blocked five kicks in his career.

Porter talks about the pride he takes in his job. pic.twitter.com/XvwvPqY4t3

— Jake Brend (@JakeBrendTV) December 1, 2024​

Tommy Mellot​

Rookie, Wide Receiver​

Transitioning from athletic and elusive college quarterback to NFL wide receiver is going to be a steep climb for this Montana State product. But with the Raiders in dire need of an impact return men in both the kickoff and punt department, an opening is there.

At 6-feet and 200 pounds, Mellot’s 4.39 speed (pro day time) along with his vision, intelligence, and elusiveness give him the traits to make a go as a returner for Las Vegas.

Mellot displayed the explosiveness and ability to hit top speed quickly at Montana State and the Raiders can’t have enough of that on special teams — all the while developing and refining himself as a route-runner and pass-catcher as a wideout.

“If you go fast, I can’t teach fast. I can correct everything else. If you make a mistake with leverage, I’ll correct it. But we want to see every single guy compete,” McMahon said of the special teams group in June. “You talk to Pete [Carroll] and everything’s about competition, and the person you’re trying to compete with is yourself. You’re striving for that excellence. And the bottom line is, if you give effort, I’ll fix what needs to be fixed. And I think in tribute to all these guys in this league, I think all of you know this, what these guys can do, we can’t teach. What they can’t do, we can.”

Dylan Laube,​

2nd Year, Running Back​

With Ashton Jeanty’s arrival in the backfield as the sixth-overall pick in the 2025 draft along with veteran speedster Raheem Mostert joining the team as a free agent, Las Vegas running back room is more well-stocked than last season.

Which can leave this sixth-round pick in the 2024 draft in no man’s land.

Laube’s fumbling issues scuttled his chances of becoming a contributor on offense but he did play on special teams — including a highlight 59-yard kickoff return against the Denver Broncos last November. The New Hampshire product needs to do this consistently and make a case for return-man duties or he’ll be one of the hopefuls waxed on cutdown day.

Dylan Laube takes the kickoff back 59 yards for the @Raiders!

: #DENvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/lkkzX3gq8x

— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2024​

Kyle Phillips​

3rd Year, Wide Receiver​

This former UCLA Bruin wideout is someone Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly is familiar with, but it’s Phillips’ special teams potential that will dictate if the third-year pro remains in the league.

A slot receiver by trade, Phillips was a shifty punt returner in college (26 returns for 501 yards and two touchdowns in four years at UCLA) and had limited opportunities with the Tennessee Titans the last two years (23 receptions, 259 yards; nine punt returns, 85 yards (long of 46).

At 5-foot-11 and 189 pounds with 4.58 speed, the measurables and numbers aren’t going to wow you, but if Phillips can recapture that Bruins’ magic, he has a shot (longshot).

Source: https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2025/7/16/24465859/raiders-2025-cody-lindenberg-special-teams

 

[Las Vegas Raiders]

What to expect from Laki Tasi?

Laki Tasi | Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Pete Carroll talks up big, developmental offensive lineman

One of the more interesting players to watch for the Las Vegas Raiders when they begin training camp later this month is a player who very likely not appear in a regular-season game in 2025.

But there is no doubt, there is internal excitement about Laki Tasi. The Raiders signed Tasi in April through the International Player Pathway Program. The Raiders brought in the massive Tasi (he is 6-foot-6, 348 pounds) as a defensive tackle. But they moved him to the offensive line early in their offseason process.

Las Vegas head coach Pete Carroll went out of his way to address Tasi at the end of the team’s mandatory minicamp in June.

“My favorite guy out there to watch is Laki Tasi,” Carroll said. “He knows nothing about football when he walked in the door and he’s made tremendous progress, and he’s enormous. He’s the biggest guy you ever saw. I think he weighed in at weigh-ins the other day at 369. He’s learning and we got to keep an eye on him. It’s an exciting process. I don’t know how long it’s going to take, but he’s starting from ground zero, and he’s made a lot of progress so far.”

That a pretty interesting quote by Carroll. he didn’t have to even mention Tasi (the question was a general one about the offensive line). But Carroll sees something in Tasi. Usually, players from International Player Pathway Program toil quietly without much notice or expectations because they are learning the game basically from scratch. But Tasi has caught Carroll’s eye.

Tasi was born in Samoa but grew up in Brisbane, Australia, where he became a standout rugby player. He began playing football in 2024 via the NFL Academy in Gold Coast, Queensland.

The plan has been for Tasi to start on the practice squad and develop. So, it could take some time for him to be ready for the 53-man roster, but it’s clear it’s not out of the question that he eventually plays meaningful snaps for the Raiders at some point.

Source: https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2025/7/17/24455146/raiders-laki-tasi-offensive-lineman

 

[Las Vegas Raiders]

Raiders draft: The entire class is signed

Jack Bech | Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images

Las Vegas signs second-round pick Jack Bech

The Las Vegas Raiders have now signed their entire 2025 draft class.

Las Vegas has signed second-round pick Jack Bech and now has signed all 11 of their selections from the April 24-26 draft process.

The #Raiders have agreed to terms with WR Jack Bech on a four-year rookie contract, per source. There had been an NFL-wide log jam on second-round picks getting their deals done until recently. Now, Las Vegas has all 11 picks from their 2025 draft class locked in.

— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) July 18, 2025​

There have been some high second-round pick getting fully guaranteed contracts, which is the first time that has ever happened. So, there was a bit of a delay with some second-round picks around the league, but that logjam was alleviated late Wednesday and second-round picks quickly began to sign.

Bech, the No. 58 overall pick, out of TCU, has a chance to be a Week 1 starter opposite of Jakobi Meyers.

To recap, here is the Las Vegas Raiders’ 11-player 2025 draft class:

• Round 1, Pick 6: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
• Round 2, Pick 58 (from HOU): TCU WR Jack Bech
• Round 3, Pick 68: Iowa State CB Darien Porter
• Round 3, Pick 98 (from MIA): Texas Tech G Caleb Rogers
• Round 3, Pick 99 (from HOU): William & Mary OT Charles Grant
• Round 4, Pick 108: Tennessee WR Dont’e Thornton Jr.
• Round 4, Pick 135 (from MIA): South Carolina DT Tonka Hemingway
• Round 6, Pick 180: Ole Miss DT JJ Pegues
• Round 6, Pick 213 (comp): Montana St QB/WR Tommy Mellott
• Round 6, Pick 215 (comp): North Dakota State QB Cam Miller
• Round 7, Pick 222: Minnesota LB Cody Lindenberg

Source: https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2025/7/17/24429604/raiders-draft-class-signed-jack-bech

 

[Las Vegas Raiders]

Raiders fans sent message about T.J. Watt

T.J. Watt | Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Go get him ... too late of course

T.J. Watt, you say?

Yes, please, said the Raider Nation.

But, course, it won’t happen.

Thursday, the star pass-rusher and the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to a massive new contract that will keep him with the franchise. They had been embroiled in a growing contract dispute this offseason and teams were reportedly calling the Steelers about him.

So, if Watt were to have became available, Raiders fans wanted the team to be on the receiving end of a massive trade for a pass-rusher this time around. We recently asked our community members if they would want to see the Raiders pull off a blockbuster for Watt.

If a poll with nearly 1,100 votes cast, 57 percent of the voters want to see the Watt do whatever it takes to secure Watt, while 43 percent won’t allow themselves to dream that big.

I get what the majority of the voters are thinking. Watt, who turns 31 in October, is a premier NFL player. He has been an NFL Defensive Player of the Year and a six-time first or second-team All-Pro pick. He has 108 sacks in eight NFL seasons.

It would have been nice if it got to that point.

Here are some of your responses. Sign up and go to the comments section.

DaysofOld
There is no way Pittsburgh lets him get out the door. It would have to be a Mack trade…lol
raiderz28
I don't think we can afford him, we only have projected $25 million in cap space, presumably some of that is going towards resigning Jakobi Meyers and Koltin Miller
Vila41
Fun food for thought, but it's not happening.
Although, if it did, then good coaches know how to use players who have a similar skillset (i.e., Maxx & Watt). The fact they are both edge players shouldn't be an issue.​

Source: https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2025/7/18/24464562/raiders-tj-watt-steelers-trade

 

[Las Vegas Raiders]

Alex Cappa a good case study in John Spytek’s roster building, evaluation skills

Alex Cappa, right, has reportedly been a mainstay at right guard on the Las Vegas Raiders offensive line. The free agent was one of the first new additions to the team by general manager John Spytek. | Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Offensive lineman was one of Raiders GM’s first new additions in Las Vegas

The connection with John Spytek and Alex Cappa is undeniable.

Spytek was part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers front office that made Cappa — a Division II small-school product out of Humboldt State (now Cal Poly Humboldt) — a third-round pick (94th overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft.

(Full disclosure: I’m a Humboldt alumni myself and covered Cappa during his time with the Lumberjacks football team.)

Cappa was an integral part of the Bucs offensive line that protected quarterback Tom Brady and while he missed Tampa’s Super Bowl LV victory due to a fractured ankle, the 6-foot-6 and 312-pounder was a mainstay up front.

As you can see, the connections run deep. Spytek is now the Las Vegas Raiders general manager and Brady is a minority owner of the Silver & Black. And one of Spytek’s initial additions to his and head coach Pete Carroll’s roster: Cappa.

A cap casualty for the Cincinnati Bengals after he inked a four-year, $35 million contract, Cappa was released on March 3 and on March 5, inked a two-year, $11 million deal with the Las Vegas.

Raiders make it official with G Alex Cappa #Raiders pic.twitter.com/wWNirM7Xjy

— Your Boy Q (@YourboyQ254) March 5, 2025​

With Cappa now in the fold, his signing provides a good case study in Spytek’s roster building and player evaluation acumen. It’s no secret that Cappa struggled mightily during the 2024 season with the Bengals as he ranked bottom of the barrel as a starting right guard in 17 starts. The two seasons prior, the offensive lineman was a reliable and stout right guard playing and starting in all of but one game (in 2022).

Cappa’s most recent season output rightfully brought on questions of why did the Raiders hand over a payday to a guard that wasn’t up to league par. But Cappa’s signing can play out in two ways:

1. Spytek knows something that many don’t and Cappa has a resurgent year in Silver & Black.
2. Cappa’s 2024 was indicative of his career trajectory now and he struggles once more.

Either way, it’s something to keep an eye on.

Especially considering Raiders team columnist Paul Gutierrez (ESPN’s former beat writer for the team) dropped a dime regarding Cappa on Raider Nation Radio’s Unnecessary Roughness with Q Meyers last week.

“I think Cappa all but has the right guard position sewn up,” Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez sentiment lines up with other beat writers who attended OTAs and mandatory minicamps in May and June, respectively. Cappa was the mainstay at right guard in between center Jackson Powers-Johnson and right tackle DJ Glaze.

#Raiders guard Alex Cappa brought his son to the presser and the kid made the most of the moment pic.twitter.com/uBYYyd8cut

— Nick Walters (@nickwalt) June 13, 2025​

A team’s offensive line is often the heartbeat of the offense — regardless of how sexy skill positions are like quarterback or running back — and if the trench warriors aren’t up to snuff, the Raiders aren’t going to be able to do enough on offense.

Carroll has entrusted the offensive line development on a trio of coaches: His son Brennan Carroll who is the run game coordinator/offensive line coach; Andy Dickerson who is the assistant offensive line boss; and Joe Philbin who is a senior offensive assistant that was held on to from the previous Raiders’ staff. Philbin has a long history of coaching offensive lines and was the interim line boss last season.

As Las Vegas embarks on an integral training camp later this week and next — rookies report on July 17 while veterans join them on July 22 — identifying the starting five on the offensive line will parlay itself into backups and depth. And when the pads come on and the Raiders can get physical, we’ll find out a whole lot more about the pretenders and contenders for roster spots.

Carroll is a big proponent on open competition and we’ll find out if Cappa is indeed the frontrunner at right guard or a shuffle commences.

We've talked a lot about the energy Pete Carroll brings to the #Raiders and it's so easy to see how quickly he's built up a strong bond with his team

At practice today it looked like he tried to pin Thayer Munford when he was stretching.

How is this dude 73?! pic.twitter.com/H7xawK79PX

— Jesse Merrick (@JesseNews3LV) June 4, 2025​

Which brings us to another jewel Gutierrez dropped, this time on the Raiders official website. Highlighting the offense’s success hinges on the guys in the trenches, the longtime writers column provided a view into the first five heading into training camp.

“Pencils ready, then? Howze about grizzled vet Kolton Miller at left tackle, Dylan Parham at left guard (with Thayer Munford Jr. nipping at his heels), Powers-Johnson at center, free-agent signee Alex Cappa at right guard and DJ Glaze at right tackle entering training camp?,” Gutierrez wrote.

That left guard spot is of particular interest as it appeared early on it was a fight between incumbents Parham and Jordan Meredith. There’s nary a mention of Meredith and it’s Munford who is slated to duke it out with the much lighter Parham (Munford is 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, Parham 6-foot-3 and 285 pounds, for reference).

Protecting new starting quarterback Geno Smith and paving the way for prized sixth overall pick in the 2025 draft, running back Ashton Jeanty, are must-dos this coming year and the offensive line will dictate much of the success (and failure).

In turn, Cappa’s arrival will give us a glimpse to a pass-fail scenario with Spytek as roster man.

Source: https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2025/7/18/24467578/raiders-2025-offense-alex-cappa-guard