Raiders announce starters for Hall of Fame Game vs. Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders Starters

Headlining the bunch, stars Davante Adams and Chandler Jones make their debuts in the Silver and Black. Also making noise, last year’s RG Alex Leatherwood earned the starting nod at RT — after posing as the third-string during weekend practices. However, the decision doesn’t induce a sigh of relief for the second-year lineman, as he must prove he is better than T Brandon Parker and Thayer Munford. Aside from Leatherwood, the offense’s starters are the same — except for Lester Cotton Sr., who emerged as the week’s lock at RG. Defensively, Las Vegas remains somewhat familiar. At ILB, newly acquired Jayon Brown from the Tennessee Titans is number one on the depth chart. At CB over Nate Hobbs, ex-Colt Rock Ya-Sin will represent the Raiders’ past defense vs Jacksonville. Incumbent starter DT Johnathan Hankins is currently facing injury, so expect Andrew Billings to get some first-team reps. The defense will be something to keep an eye on, featuring some new components for Josh McDaniels’ new group. 

Josh McDaniels’ First Raiders Game

The Raiders also have a new starting coach. As an Ohio native, Josh McDaniels is eager to take on the Hall of Fame Game. When discussing coaching a game on the same field he played on as a high schooler, Las Vegas’ HC said “Surreal is probably a good word for it,” per the Raiders’ official website. What will be an emotional night for McDaniels will also be a fun showcase of a new scheme to the Raider Nation. Thursday’s test against the Jags’ will be a nice introduction to football in the 2022 edition of the Black Hole.