For some players, pressure can be a positive, rather than a stressful element in a make-or-break situation. Several Las Vegas Raiders have gained steam ahead of Thursday's preseason game against the Houston Texans.
Although the Raiders lost their first exhibition game against the Arizona Cardinals by a score of 27-14, the offense showed positive signs. A handful of youngsters also made plays that provided hope for the future.
Win, lose or draw, the Raiders are looking for improvement at this stage of the game. Against the Texans, these five players can continue to stack impressive performances as a tune-up for the regular season.
Raiders' young offense is loaded with players who need to build on strong start
WR Jack Bech
Jack Bech may be the type of player who looks ordinary at practices and shines on game day. Raiders beat reporters didn't have much to say about him through the first two weeks of training camp, but he recorded three receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown in the preseason opener.Â
For Raider fans who remember "3rd-and-Renfrow," Bech filled that role last week, hauling in all three of his passes on third down. Kirk Cousins connected with him on the first drive, and Fernando Mendoza found him twice, once in the end zone.
A second-rounder from the previous year, Bech still holds a top-three spot on the Raiders' receiver depth chart. On Thursday, he can prove again to be the most reliable wideout on critical third downs.
RT Charles Grant
Last week, Charles Grant played 31 snaps at left tackle, though he allowed two hits, per Pro Football Focus, the second-year pro created wide-open lanes for the ground attack.
Grant moved a defender so far off his spot that Mike Washington Jr. ran through a gaping hole on a long gain. He certainly put himself back on the radar as a top backup offensive lineman.Â
Last year, the Raiders signed Stone Forsythe as veteran insurance for their offensive line, and he struggled at left tackle. If Grant has another solid outing, the coaching staff should feel comfortable about him in the primary swing tackle position.Â
QB Fernando Mendoza
According to The Athletic's Sam Warren, head coach Klint Kubiak delivered on his word to give Mendoza more reps with the first-team offense. After a joint practice, first-team All-Pro pass-rusher Will Anderson Jr. spoke highly of the rookie quarterback's future.
"Ton of respect for him. Going to be a really great quarterback in this league."Â
In his preseason debut, Mendoza had a decent showing, going 10-of-16 for 97 yards and a touchdown. He played through most of that game and should see the field for an extended stretch on Thursday.
According to the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander, the Texans won't play most of their starters, but Mendoza can focus on his command of Kubiak's offense while under center.
RG Caleb Rogers
As we previously noted, Caleb Rogers has a major opportunity in front of him. He could put himself in the lead position for a starting role.
Kubiak told reporters that Jackson Powers-Johnson will miss Thursday's game. In Week 1 of the preseason, he split most of the snaps at right guard with Rogers, who had a better performance.
According to Pro Football Focus, Rogers didn't allow a pressure over 12 pass-blocking snaps. Powers gave up a sack over 14 pass-blocking snaps.
With Powers-Johnson sidelined, Rogers could emerge as the clear-cut best option on the right side of the interior line.Â
RB Mike Washington Jr.
While some credit goes to the Raiders' offensive line, specifically Grant, Washington broke free for a 53-yard run and finished with six carries for 63 yards in the preseason opener.
According to KPRC-2 Houston's Aaron Wilson, Washington picked up chunk yardage during a joint practice session.Â
"#Raiders backup rookie running back Mike Washington Jr., who met extensively with #Texans in #NFLDraft process, long run against team's defense as he gets around the perimeter."Â
With Washington's big-play ability on the ground, the Raiders' backfield may be the most explosive dimension of their offense. Ashton Jeanty and the rookie fourth-rounder could lead one of the league's most productive downhill ground attacks.
Moe Moton writes about the Raiders for Just Blog Baby. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton.Â
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