LAS VEGAS — The Raiders are set to face the 49ers in their preseason finale on Thursday, which could be a crucial moment for addressing lingering questions that have persisted throughout training camp.
Some of these questions revolve around uncertain starting positions, while others focus on younger players who might need to step up sooner than anticipated. Additionally, for a few Raiders, this game is their last chance to leave a mark before the team narrows down its roster to 53 players.
Here are five key items to keep an eye on:
Is Mike Washington prepared if Ashton Jeanty isn’t?
Although the Raiders seem to have dodged a serious issue with Ashton Jeanty’s ankle injury, his status for the season opener is still unclear.
This throws rookie Mike Washington Jr. into a more prominent role.
The fourth-round pick has stood out as one of the team’s more impressive offensive talents during the preseason, showing off the vision and big-play potential that made him an enticing addition to the roster. So far, he’s averaging 7.9 yards per carry in two preseason games and has already made two runs of over 30 yards.
Now, the Raiders need to see if Washington can do more than just flash talent.
Can he manage a heavier workload? Is he capable of protecting the quarterback? Can he contribute effectively in the passing game? Can he handle the various responsibilities that come with being a starting NFL running back?
Jeanty is pivotal to the Raiders’ running attack, but Washington might need to step into that role until he returns. Thursday’s game will be key for determining his readiness.
Can Fernando Mendoza close the gap?
If Fernando Mendoza plans to challenge Kirk Cousins for the starting quarterback job going into the season, he has to make an impact on Thursday.
Klint Kubiak has refrained from naming a starter, emphasizing that no player should feel secure in their role. This keeps the door open for Mendoza, even if Cousins is still the likely frontrunner.
Mendoza has shown glimpses of why he was the Raiders’ top pick. He threw a touchdown in his first preseason game against Arizona and displayed good command of the offense.
However, his debut against Houston was a mixed bag. He completed only 8 out of 15 passes for 86 yards and threw an interception that got returned for an 80-yard touchdown. That mistake is an unfortunate but expected part of a rookie’s growth.
This final game provides him an opportunity to demonstrate how quickly he can learn from those errors.
The Raiders aren’t looking to rush him, but if Mendoza can play smoothly, protect the ball, and move the offense well against the 49ers, he could make Kubiak’s decision much tougher.
He likely won’t solidify the job in just one game, but he can narrow the gap.
Who will secure the right guard position?
Jackson Powers-Johnson and Caleb Rogers are expected to see action, which offers the Raiders one last direct comparison in a competition that has been murky all camp.
Powers-Johnson may have higher potential, but his availability has been an issue. Injuries have plagued his first two seasons, and a recent setback kept him from participating in practice and the previous game against Houston.
At some point, reliability needs to be part of the evaluation.
This is why the Raiders should prepare Rogers as if he’s going to be the starter, regardless of who wins out in the end. Even if Powers-Johnson starts, recent experiences suggest Rogers could be called upon at any moment.
Rogers has gained useful starting experience and has been rotating with the first-team offense during camp. A standout performance against San Francisco might just secure him the role outright.
Ideally, the Raiders want to feel assured that they have two guards ready to go instead of relying on just one with a backup option.
Which wide receivers can Klint Kubiak rely on?
The Raiders don’t just need receivers who can catch the ball. They require players who can consistently gain separation and demonstrate reliability in executing Kubiak’s plays.
This involves aligning correctly, recognizing defensive schemes, adjusting routes, and blocking effectively in the run game. They need to be where the quarterback expects them to be.
During practice and previous games, the receiver group hasn’t always created enough separation, especially against Houston’s starting defensive backs during their joint practice.
Kubiak has made it clear that improvement is necessary. Thursday gives the receivers one last chance to show who is prepared to rise to the occasion.
The assessment won’t rely solely on stats—receivers might not get targeted but can still gain Kubiak’s trust by executing their assignments well. Conversely, a few catches won’t absolve them of missed assignments or poorly run routes.
The Raiders really need to pinpoint which receivers they can count on when the season kicks off. Someone has to step up.
Final evaluation of the young secondary
The Raiders have put significant resources into revamping their secondary, and they will get one last look at rookies Jermod McCoy, Treydan Stukes, and Hezekiah Masses.
All three have seen significant action during camp, including time with the first-team defense. They’ve had encouraging moments, alongside the growing pains that come with relying on less experienced defensive backs.
Stukes is pushing for a starting safety position, while McCoy and Masses are vying for spots in a cornerback group that urgently needs young talent to develop.
The Raiders will look beyond completions and pass deflections. They will gauge communication, positioning, tackling, and how well these rookies respond after making mistakes.
It’s a given that young defensive backs will give up plays. It’s crucial, though, that they grasp what went wrong and correct it in the future.
Thursday won’t be the ultimate test for any of them, but it will serve as the final preseason measurement to gauge how ready they are when the actual games start.
