A New Fear Unlocked, Rookies Under the Microscope, & Pickett Steps In

ARE THE RAIDERS’ ROOKIES DEVELOPING?

FORMER WR RYAN HOAG’S HONEST ASSESSMENT

If you want a real, unfiltered look at where the Raiders’ young players actually stand, make sure you watch this week’s podcast. Former Raiders receiver Ryan Hoag joins me for a deep dive into the rookie class after their extended snaps in Denver — breaking down the film on Jack Bech’s development, Dont’e Thornton’s long-term outlook, Darien Porter’s emerging traits, and what the tape shows about the identity (or lack thereof) of this offense. Ryan doesn’t sugarcoat anything, and his two bold takes at the end are must-hear for Raider Nation. After that, Jason Dumas stops by to preview the matchup with the Eagles, share behind-the-scenes stories from his days covering the team, and explain where Vegas might find an edge on Sunday. If you care about the Raiders’ future — and what this roster is building toward — you’ll want to watch the full episode.

PICKETT GETING THE START VS. PHILLY?

Geno Smith’s injury situation took another turn this week, as he missed practice for the second straight day with right shoulder and back issues stemming from last week’s loss to the Broncos. Smith’s availability for Sunday’s game in Philadelphia is now very much in question, and he’s considered unlikely to start. While Pete Carroll has called Smith’s status “day to day,” the Raiders are clearly preparing for life without him this weekend.

That opens the door for Kenny Pickett, who relieved Smith late against Denver and went 8-for-11 for 97 yards and a touchdown. If Pickett gets the nod, he’ll be facing his former team — the Eagles — adding an intriguing wrinkle to an already difficult matchup. With the season winding down, this could be a pivotal stretch for Pickett’s future in Las Vegas. While it’s unlikely he’s viewed as a long-term starter, strong performances down the stretch could position him as a viable bridge or backup option if the Raiders draft a quarterback this spring.

Be sure to watch the video linked above for our full locker room conversation with Pickett this week, where he discusses the opportunity, his mindset, and how he’s preparing for a possible start in Philadelphia.

NEW FEAR UNLOCKED?

Raider Nation, former receiver Ryan Hoag dropped a theory about Andy Reid that genuinely made me stop mid-show. It’s a move the Chiefs could make that would completely change the Raiders’ path to finding their quarterback of the future — and it’s something almost nobody is talking about. Check out the clip below and tell me if you think Reid would actually pull this off.

ROOKIE OL GOES VIRAL FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS

Rookie offensive lineman Caleb Rogers made his first full start at right guard last week against the Broncos — and the kid held his own. According to PFF and several other early grading reviews, Rogers didn’t allow a single pressure or sack in 41 pass-blocking snaps against one of the NFL’s toughest front sevens. That performance earned him a 74.7 overall grade from PFF.

But don’t tell Caleb that. When we spoke with him this week, he made it clear he wasn’t buying the grade. Rogers said PFF’s evaluation wasn’t accurate, going as far as saying that “they’re lying” and that the numbers don’t fully reflect what actually happened on the field. It was an honest, self-critical response — and exactly the kind of accountability you want from a young lineman trying to carve out his place in the league.

To PFF’s credit, they later corrected their initial review and credited Rogers with one hurry and one pressure allowed, bringing his season totals to two pressures, two hurries, and zero sacks allowed in 51 pass-blocking snaps across two games. Even with the adjustment, Rogers sits at a strong 75.0 overall grade through his first two appearances. Pete Carroll confirmed he’ll start again this week against the Eagles — another major test for the rookie as he faces yet another loaded defensive front.

MISS ANYTHING?

Catch up on some of our recent stories:

KOLTON RETURNS TO PRACTICE

Raiders left tackle Kolton Miller returned to practice on Wednesday, marking his first on-field action since suffering an ankle injury back in Week 4 against the Bears. His return triggers the team’s 21-day activation window, giving the Raiders the choice to add him back to the active roster or place him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

While the Raiders sit at 2–11 and many outside the building have one eye on draft positioning, Pete Carroll made it clear this week that he wants Miller back on gameday if he’s healthy enough to go at some point.

RAIDERS ROUNDERS

THE BEST BETS OF THE WEEK FOR THE RAIDERS VS. EAGLES GAME

We’ve rolled out something new for Raider Nation this season: Raiders Rounders. Each week, I team up with betting analyst Matt Perrault (The Bostonian vs The Book, The Daily Juice) to spotlight the best Raiders bets of the week and a few smart plays from around the NFL. Think of it as the perfect mix of insider football talk and betting insight, giving you a sharper look at how Vegas views the Silver & Black — from player props to game lines — and where the edges might be heading into Sunday.

With that in mind, here are our best plays for the Raiders’ Week 15 matchup against the Eagles:

• Eagles -12

Here’s Matt’s take on the game, and how Kenny Pickett likely getting the start impacts how he’s betting this one.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Raiders Rounders is all about sharing our perspective on the game. These aren’t betting recommendations — any wagers you place are 100% your responsibility. Bet responsibly.

FANSHOTZ FRIDAY

“FanShotz Friday”

By now, you have seen the phenomenal photos we’ve been using in many of our newsletters. They’re some of the best shots you’ll find of your favorite team, captured through the lens of our friend Arnie Bazemore of Fanshotz.com. Every Friday, we’ll feature Arnie’s favorite Raiders shot of the week that he captures at practice or on game day.

This week, we’re featuring a shot Arnie snagged of Ashton Jeanty on one of his ten carries against the Broncos. His usage still hasn’t been what many have hoped. He has 86 carries for 221 yards (2.6 yards per carry, 31.6 yards per game) in his last seven games. Having said all that, he needs just 76 scrimmage yards to join Brock Bowers, Josh Jacobs, Amari Cooper, and Marcus Allen as the only Raiders to record 1,000 scrimmage yards in their rookie season. That’s not an insane number, but it’s still pretty nice company, and would be a great feather in Jeanty’s cap heading into the offseason. I’ve said it many a time, once they get him an offensive line, this kid is gonna be good.

Check out Arnie’s work at his site linked above and reach out if you’re interested in working with him. He’s a great guy and has been so supportive of me over the years when I was at NBC here in Vegas, and he’s come along for the ride with Silver & Black Sports Network, too.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Make sure you’re subscribed to us on YouTube so you don’t miss our postgame podcast after Sunday’s matchup with the Eagles. At this point, we’re still breaking down each game, but the bigger focus has shifted toward identifying building blocks for the future as the draft and a full roster rebuild come into view.

Last week was all about getting extended looks at the young guys. This week, we’ll likely get some answers on the long-term viability of Kenny Pickett as a backup option if the Raiders select a quarterback early in the upcoming NFL Draft. With development now being as important as wins were earlier in the season, every rep matters.

Catch ya next time,