The 2024 preseason is in the books, and the last step for the Raiders before the regular season will be final roster cuts .
Final cuts are due by 4:00 EST on Tuesday afternoon, but before we turn the page to the regular season, let’s take a look at the Raiders’ top defensive performers of the preseason.
Based on Pro Football Focus analytics, these were the Raiders’ biggest winners of the preseason…
Amari Gainer (74.0) and Charles Snowden (73.8)
Gainer and Snowden were only separated by .2 and that earns Snowden an honorable mention because these grades are not a perfect science. Anyone that watched Snowden in the preseason was impressed.
“I’m going to give my final prediction for the [final roster] here coming up in a little bit, but I think that young man has got a super good chance of making this roster,” Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter said of Snowden on the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast last week.
As for Gainer, head coach Antonio Pierce gave the undrafted linebacker a nod after his 12-tackle (10 solo) performance in week three of the preseason.
“Amari did a really good job,” Pierce said. “You got an opportunity; you make the most of it. If I was a player, I wouldn’t want to get pulled right now when cuts are coming up. He stuck in there to the very end and called the defense tonight… first time he’s done that, as well. Just some bright spots and things he can learn from as well.”
Jakorian Bennett (77.0)
Bennett was one of the surprise stories of Raiders’ training camp and preseason.
The fourth-round cornerback looked overmatched at times in his rookie year but played well in the preseason and is at the top of the Raiders’ depth chart going into the regular season.
If Bennett continues to play well, the Raiders should be in good shape at cornerback, but depth could be an issue if Bennett can’t stay healthy or hits a sophomore slump.
Adam Butler (77.3)
Butler only played 35 snaps in the preseason but was solid against the pass and the rush.
Butler quietly recorded five sacks last year along the Raiders defensive interior and is sure to have more one-on-one opportunities this year with Christian Wilkins in the mix. He’ll be a key contributor as defensive coordinator Patrick Graham loves to rotate defensive linemen not named Maxx Crosby.
Jack Jones (80.0)
Statistically, it looks like Jones is going to have a big year in 2024.
He’s going to gamble and make interceptions, but he’s also going to give up big plays. We saw that trend in the preseason, and it will presumably carry over into the regular season.
It’s a strong statement, but Jones has a good chance to be at the top of the league in interceptions by the end of the season. He’s that good.
Tre’von Moehrig (83.5)
Moehrig looks a little bigger in his fourth NFL season, and he’s a safety that can make plays all over the field. He can cover, but he’s also an playmaker who isn’t afraid to mix it up at the line of scrimmage.
Moehrig is trending toward becoming one of the best safeties in the league and his defensive coordinator listed him as one of two players that he expects to make a “huge stride” this year.
The other was Malcolm Koonce.
Looking ahead, Moehrig and Koonce are both entering the final year of their rookie contracts and it could be difficult for the Raiders to keep both players.
The good news is the Raiders have upwards of $35 million in cap room and some of that money is most likely earmarked for Moehrig and/or Koonce.
