Raiders: 3 rookies to keep an eye on during the HOF Game

HENDERSON, NEVADA - JULY 24: Wide receiver Davante Adams #17, head coach Josh McDaniels and quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders talk during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on July 24, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
HENDERSON, NEVADA - JULY 24: Wide receiver Davante Adams #17, head coach Josh McDaniels and quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders talk during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on July 24, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 05: Matthew Butler #DL02 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 05, 2022, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 05: Matthew Butler #DL02 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 05, 2022, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Three rookies who have the Raiders’ full attention against Jacksonville.

Defensive tackle: Matthew Butler

We just got done talking about a Butler on defense, and how he’s climbed his way up the depth chart, now poised to be a vital part of the linebacker rotation if he keeps up the good work. Matthew Butler, on the other hand, is sinking on the depth chart.

The Raiders drafted [Matthew] Butler in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, just one round after selecting defensive tackle Neil Farrell.

Currently, Butler finds himself on the bottom of the depth chart when it comes to the team’s defensive tackles.

If this is any indication of how things are shaping up, Butler is in real danger of not making the roster. As is, there are 9 DTs rostered, and the Raiders fifth-round pick is at the bottom.

Moving forward, Butler will have to play well to earn his spot on the team. Luckily, he’s expected to see the field often Tonight, per CBS Bryan DeArdo.

If there’s a silver lining here, rookie running back Zamir White landed as the RB5 on the Raiders’ first depth chart of the ’22 season. The good news is it’s hard to imagine White doesn’t make the roster, yet he’s still so low on the rotation. If there’s a trend here, it may mean there isn’t much for Butler to worry about despite being so low on the chart, as long as the rookie delivers.

We’ll see what happens, but either way, Butler is competing with 8 other players for roster spots on the interior defensive line.