The Las Vegas Raiders are set to play their final preseason game, facing off against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night. Kickoff is at 5p.m. PT.
This will also mark the end of training camp, as the NFL's cutdown day is right around the corner on Sunday, raising the stakes for every player on the bubble to make the 53-man roster. So, this week's rookies to watch are heavily focused on the Raiders' undrafted free agents, with one third-round pick thrown in the mix.
As the 67th pick of the draft, it's highly unlikely that Crawford is in danger of getting cut. Also, the Auburn product was a project coming out of college and wasn't expected to have a big role this year after Las Vegas signed Kwity Paye, re-signed Malcolm and had the Maxx Crosby trade fall through during free agency. However, Crawford has generated just one pressure in the first two preseason games, per Pro Football Focus, and hasn't been a factor against the run, either.
Meanwhile, S&BP's Bill Williamson listed three other edges—UDFA Cian Slone and veterans Patrick Johnson and Jahfari Harvey—as players to watch against San Francisco, and all three have outperformed Crawford this month. Again, the third-rounder's roster spot should be safe, but he's looking at getting buried on the depth chart if he doesn't step up on Thursday night.
Klint Kubiak didn't mince words when talking about the team's wide receivers after last week's game, saying "they gotta get a lot better and fast". The coaching staff is clearly looking for someone to step up and provide some depth out wide, giving Williams an opportunity to earn a roster spot with a strong outing against the 49ers. He had a 41-yard catch a couple of weeks ago, but hauled in just one grab for six yards in Houston.
#roster
This will also mark the end of training camp, as the NFL's cutdown day is right around the corner on Sunday, raising the stakes for every player on the bubble to make the 53-man roster. So, this week's rookies to watch are heavily focused on the Raiders' undrafted free agents, with one third-round pick thrown in the mix.
As the 67th pick of the draft, it's highly unlikely that Crawford is in danger of getting cut. Also, the Auburn product was a project coming out of college and wasn't expected to have a big role this year after Las Vegas signed Kwity Paye, re-signed Malcolm and had the Maxx Crosby trade fall through during free agency. However, Crawford has generated just one pressure in the first two preseason games, per Pro Football Focus, and hasn't been a factor against the run, either.
Meanwhile, S&BP's Bill Williamson listed three other edges—UDFA Cian Slone and veterans Patrick Johnson and Jahfari Harvey—as players to watch against San Francisco, and all three have outperformed Crawford this month. Again, the third-rounder's roster spot should be safe, but he's looking at getting buried on the depth chart if he doesn't step up on Thursday night.
Klint Kubiak didn't mince words when talking about the team's wide receivers after last week's game, saying "they gotta get a lot better and fast". The coaching staff is clearly looking for someone to step up and provide some depth out wide, giving Williams an opportunity to earn a roster spot with a strong outing against the 49ers. He had a 41-yard catch a couple of weeks ago, but hauled in just one grab for six yards in Houston.
#roster
2 months ago
