The Las Vegas Raiders' preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday presents a critical opportunity for several players to solidify their positions before the regular season roster is finalized. Among those under a brighter spotlight is rookie running back Mike Washington Jr., who is expected to see increased carries due to an ankle injury sustained by starter Ashton Jeanty.
Washington, a fourth-round pick, has impressed during the preseason, averaging 7.9 yards per carry and recording two runs of over 30 yards. His performance has showcased vision, burst, and big-play ability, making him an intriguing prospect for the Raiders' backfield. However, questions remain about his ability to handle a larger workload, protect the quarterback, contribute in the passing game, and execute all the responsibilities of an NFL starting running back. Thursday's game will be a key indicator of his readiness to fill Jeanty's role until his return.
Beyond the running back position, other areas of focus for the Raiders include the quarterback competition, the right guard battle, wide receiver reliability, and the development of the young secondary. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza has an opportunity to make a final push to challenge Kirk Cousins for the starting job, despite a mixed preseason performance that included a touchdown pass and an interception returned for a touchdown. Coach Klint Kubiak has maintained that no position is settled, keeping the door open for Mendoza if he can play efficiently and protect the football against the 49ers.
The right guard position remains unsettled, with Jackson Powers-Johnson and Caleb Rogers competing. Powers-Johnson's potential is high, but his injury history is a concern, making dependability a factor. Rogers has gained valuable starting experience and rotating with the first-team offense. A strong showing from either could secure the starting role, but the Raiders need to feel confident in having two capable guards.
Wide receivers must demonstrate consistent separation and a thorough understanding of Kubiak's offense, including route adjustments, blocking, and precise timing with the quarterback. The unit has struggled to create separation, particularly against other teams' starting defenses. Performance will be evaluated beyond statistics, focusing on assignment execution and critical blocks.
In the secondary, rookies Jermod McCoy, Treydan Stukes, and Hezekiah Masses are receiving significant playing time. Stukes is competing for a safety role, while McCoy and Masses are developing at cornerback. The coaching staff will assess their communication, positioning, tackling, and ability to make corrections after mistakes. While Thursday is not the final judgment, it is the last preseason measure of their readiness to contribute when the regular season begins.