Raiders' Biggest Weaknesses Ahead of 2024 NFL Training Camp (2024)

The Las Vegas Raiders wrapped their mandatory minicamp on June 13, which means the next stage in the 2024 offseason is training camp. Las Vegas has done a solid job of addressing some of its biggest needs over the past few months, but the roster is far from Week 1-ready.

Part of the purpose of minicamps and organized team activities (OTAs) is to prepare players for the upcoming summer grind. However, offseason workouts are also used to identify where lingering weaknesses reside.

The Raiders still have $34.1 million in cap space, so the free-agent and trade markets are still viable options for filling needs. Naturally, Las Vegas will try plugging holes with its own players first, but it shouldn't come as a surprise if a player or two is added between now and training camp.

Here, we'll examine the Raiders' three biggest roster weaknesses with training camp looming at the end of next month.

The Raiders secondary was far from awful in 2023, ranking 11th in net yards per pass attempt allowed. However, Las Vegas has yet to find a premier cover corner on the perimeter.

The safety duo of Tre'Von Moehrig and Marcus Epps is solid. So too is nickel corner Nate Hobbs. Brandon Facyson missed time with injury last season, while Jack Jones was a late addition after being waived by the New England Patriots.

Jakorian Bennett had his fair share of rookie struggles in 2023, though Hobbs believes that Bennett can rebound.

"Some people need a little bit to get started. And when he gets started, he's a competitor," Hobbs said, per Levi Damien of Raiders Wire.

Rookie fourth-round pick Decamerion Richardson is in the mix as well and could be an early contributor as Bennett was last season. However, in a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, the Raiders would be wise to find a true No. 1 corner to lead the secondary. To this point, they haven't uncovered one.

The good news is that the free-agent pool still features quality corners like Xavien Howard, Stephon Gilmore and Adoree' Jackson. If Las Vegas isn't happy with the depth it has, it can examine exterior options.

The offensive line is a weakness that could well become a strength, depending on how positional battles unfold in training camp.

Las Vegas' foundation is fairly strong. Kolton Miller has become a terrific left tackle, while center Andre James has justified the three-year, $24 million extension he got this offseason. Donald Parham has also settled in as a reliable guard.

However, the Raiders have questions at left guard and right tackle, especially after losing tackle Jermaine Eluemunor in free agency. Using second- and third-round picks on Jackson Powers-Johnson and Delmar Glaze, respectively, may help answer those questions, but rookies are almost always unknowns.

Powers-Johnson is expected to compete with Cody Whitehair, who played under new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy with the Chicago Bears. Glaze is expected to compete with Thayer Munford Jr., who has had his fair share of issues as a pro.

According to Pro Football Focus, Munford allowed four sacks across 521 offensive snaps last season.

Competition may erase the offensive line from the list of question marks during training camp. If it doesn't, however, the Raiders may have to consider free-agent alternatives like Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Billy Turner and former Raider Greg Van Roten.

The Raiders lost standout running back Josh Jacobs in free agency, which means they'll turn the starting role over to Zamir White. The third-year back flashed some real potential late in 2023—he rushed for 397 yards over the final four games—but he isn't a proven starter just yet.

White still must show that he can be a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield (15 career receptions) and that he can handle a large workload over the course of a season. He may do just that, but Las Vegas doesn't have much in the way of a Plan B.

Ameer Abdullah returns for depth, but he saw a mere 15 carries in 2023. The Raiders also added former Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison in free agency, but Mattison was a flop as a featured back last season.

Rookie sixth-round pick Dylan Laube provides some intriguing value as a pass-catcher, but he's probably too unpolished to step into a starting role if needed. While the Raiders have plenty of pass-catching playmakers to support quarterbacks Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew, their ground game will hinge on White and his continued development.

There aren't many enticing free-agent options out there either, so don't be surprised if Las Vegas looks to supplement its backfield during the preseason cutdown process.

*Cap and contract information via Spotrac.