Las Vegas Raiders stock up, down following preseason Week 1 loss

Mike Moraitis

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Las Vegas Raiders stock up, down following preseason Week 1 loss image

The Las Vegas Raiders took part in their first 2024 preseason game on Saturday, but it did not result in a win, with the Minnesota Vikings turning on the jets in the second half to emerge victorious, 24-23.

The Raiders jumped out to a 20-7 lead in the first half, as their first- and second-team units played well. But things really went off the rails in the second half on both sides of the ball, leading to Minnesota climbing back into the game and eventually winning it with a last-second field goal.

The good news is, wins and losses mean absolutely nothing in the preseason. This is really a time for teams to evaluate their players who are competing for starting and depth roles, as well as roster spots in general.

With that in mind, here's the list of players who helped or hurt their causes the most in preseason Week 1.

Stock up: QB Gardner Minshew

Minshew saw three drives in the preseason opener and the Raiders scored on all of them, with two touchdowns and one field goal, although the field goal was set up by a blocked field goal from the Raiders' defense on the previous drive.

Nonetheless, Minshew orchestrated two touchdown drives, with highlight passes to DJ Turner for a 20-yard touchdown and a 44-yard dime to Tre Tucker to help set up the second scoring drive. He finished 6-of-12 for 117 yards and one touchdown and may have given himself a slight lead in the competition.

Stock down: QB Anthony Brown

With the top-two spots on the Raiders' depth chart locked up, Brown needs to force his way onto the roster with strong play. Unfortunately, he did the exact opposite of that on Saturday.

Brown looked completely lost and showed terrible pocket presence. He completed just 1-of-3 passes for 24 yards and was sacked three times. He also added five carries for 13 yards.

At this rate, Brown's best chance at saying in Vegas is on the practice squad.

Stock up: QB Aidan O'Connell

O'Connell saw just one series, but it was a good one. He finished 7-of-9 for 76 yards, although the drive stalled out in the red zone thanks to a sack. The second-year signal-caller could've had better ball placement on some throws, but he was solid regardless and showed some good pocket presence on most of his reps.

His primary target was Jakobi Meyers (three catches, 45 yards) and he connected with Brock Bowers twice for 25 yards. All in all, O'Connell remains just about neck-and-neck with Minshew, leaving the job very much up for grabs.

Stock down: RT DJ Glaze

Glaze had been making inroads toward creating a legitimate competition for the right tackle job with Thayer Munford Jr., but he took a step back in his debut.

While Munford Jr. played a mostly clean game, Glaze looked overmatched at times while playing at both left and right tackle, with the rookie giving up a sack at the former spot to wreck the first drive of the second half.

His showing may have just sealed the deal that Munford Jr. will be starting at right tackle in Week 1.

Stock up: WR Tre Tucker

By all accounts, Tucker has had an up-and-down training camp this year as he tries to secure the No. 3 receiver role behind Davante Adams and Meyers. But he no doubt made progress to solidifying the job in preseason Week 1.

Tucker led all Raiders pass-catchers with 73 receiving yards and flashed his big-play ability with a 44-yard grab that saw him fully extend to make the catch. He contributed a 23-yard punt return for good measure, also.

Stock down: LT Andrus Peat

With left Kolton Miller still sidelined, Peat got the start on the left side and gave up a pair of pressures on the opening drive, both to Dallas Turner. The second one led to a sack that saw Peat get beat on the outside before ending up on the ground.

Granted, O'Connell could've helped himself by stepping to his left instead of the route he took, but Peat shouldn't be given a pass for his lackluster showing.

Stock up: WR DJ Turner

Turner took a step in the right direction toward his quest to be the No. 4 receiver on the depth chart. He had two catches for 23 yards, including his touchdown grab on the pass from Minshew.

Stock down: Secondary reserves

There were defensive lapses all over the place in the second half, but Devonshire had one of the most glaring when he allowed Trishton Jackson to blow right past him for a 45-yard touchdown pass.

But that wasn't the only lapse in coverage. Trent Sherfield also broke loose for a 33-yard touchdown reception in the second half, and it looked like rookie safety Trey Taylor was responsible for that one.

Devonshire was listed as the backup slot cornerback behind Nate Hobbs on the first unofficial depth chart and that play could prove costly for his hopes of earning a roster spot and a role. Taylor entered the game in a much more precarious spot considering Las Vegas listed him third at one of the safety positions.

Stock up: TE Brock Bowers

Bowers didn't look like a rookie in his first game, with the Georgia product reeling in both of his targets for 25 yards. We also saw him impact the game from multiple spots, with Bowers catching passes after lining up out wide and in the fullback position.

The rookie looks like he's going to make an immediate impact.

Stock down: Run defense

The Radiers' run defense really wasn't good the entire game, but things were really bad after the first-team defense went off the field. Not only did Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu break loose for a 48-yard touchdown run, Minnesota managed to rip off 6.5 yards per carry en route to 142 rushing yards.

Stock up: Starting CBs

At this point, we should expect Jakorian Bennett to get the nod to start opposite Jack Jones, which he did on Saturday.

With the Vikings trying to score from the four-yard line in the first quarter, Bennett made a heck of a diving pass break-up to prevent Minnesota from getting six and force a turnover on downs. On the next drive, Jones halted the Vikings' offense, picking off a J.J. McCarthy pass. He also had two tackles.

Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis Photo

After cutting his teeth with Bleacher Report, Mike Moraitis has covered the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans for FanSided, and the Titans and New York Giants for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. On top of his duties with Sporting News, Mike is the managing editor and lead writer for Titans Wire.