Heading into the second preseason game against the Houston Texans, Klint Kubiak's plan for the Las Vegas Raiders' starters was pretty unclear. There was a "case-by-case" element inherent in his words about who would play or not play, though easy assumptions could be drawn about certain players.
Before the game, after seeing Fernando Mendoza working with the second-team offense during a walkthrough, ESPN's Ryan McFadden suggested that none of the Raiders' presumed starters would play against the Texans.
That turned out to be correct. At least, for the most part. But who was deemed to fit that '"starter" label had a good chance to become telling. Mendoza's first pass attempt of the game read like this in the play-by-play.
-F. Mendoza pass incomplete short left to J. Nailor
After a false start penalty, Mendoza's second pass attempt against the Texans went like this.
(Shotgun)-F. Mendoza pass short right to J. Nailor to LV 43 for 22 yards
"J. Nailor" is, of course, wide receiver Jalen Nailor. Also known as the Raiders' biggest offseason free agent signing on the offensive side of the ball this side of center Tyler Linderbaum. Yet, he played the first offensive series in a preseason game where starters were rested.
Jalen Nailor is clearly being promised nothing in Raiders' WR battle
Not only that, Mendoza very quickly targeted Nailor twice to shine the spotlight on the fact that he was playing. It is quite interesting that, while the rest of Las Vegas' assumed starters sat on the sideline, other than cornerback Darien Porter, Nailor was out there on the field.
Donte Thornton Jr. continuing to not be available created one less wide receiver option for the Raiders to get through the second preseason game. With that in mind, new addition Noah Brown (10 snaps) almost played as many snaps as Nailor did, albeit with the third- and fourth-stringers.
Tre Tucker, by being rested against the Texans, has been declared as the one Raiders' wide receiver whose role is secure and unthreatenable. Everyone else who was available, including Jack Bech (16 snaps), played. That is quite the message.
For the game against Houston, Nailor played 13 of the Raiders' 69 offensive snaps, with that aforementioned one catch for 22 yards on three targets. He did leave the game before the other players who started did, but that he played at all lands notably.
Playing against Houston is not necessarily a negative referendum on Nailor's work thus far in training camp. But it's also fair to mention notes from reporters about him standing out, like, say rookie Malik Benson has, have been rare; if not non-existent.
Kubiak is trying to establish a culture where nothing other than what happens on the grass will determine who has roles and jobs. With that, the notable investment in Nailor is clearly guaranteeing him nothing as Raiders' wide receivers not named Tucker jockey for roles here in August.
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