Monday, Aug. 9, 2021 | 4:21 p.m.
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The starting 11 for the first preseason game in the history of the Las Vegas Raiders is set — unofficially.
NFL teams are required to release depth charts heading into all games, and the Raiders complied by releasing their first one of the season heading into a 6 p.m. kickoff Saturday night against the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium. There were no major surprises on the depth chart as it mostly mirrored rotations from training-camp practices over the last two weeks but perhaps a few curious characteristics — especially on defense.
Linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski and defensive end Clelin Ferrell indeed appear to be moved out of starting spots after they’ve mostly run with backups in camp.
Nicholas Morrow has overtaken Kwiatkoski’s starting middle linebacker role from last year, with Tanner Muse filling the latter’s empty outside linebacker spot. Ferrell is listed behind 2019 NFL Draft classmate Maxx Crosby at defensive end.
Quinton Jefferson had appeared to be a likely defensive tackle starter next to Johnathan Hankins but the depth chart lists him with Solomon Thomas and Darius Philon all as co-starters. Recent free-agent signee Gerald McCoy, perhaps the most decorated veteran on the defense, is listed as fourth-string presumably because he hasn’t even practiced in full with the team yet.
The depth chart is, again, unofficial and subject to change but it provides a pretty good idea of where the team currently stands heading into the first week of preseason. Check out the full two-deep below.
QB: Derek Carr-Marcus Mariota
RB: Josh Jacobs-Kenyan Drake
FB: Alec Ingold-Garrett Groshek
WR (1): Henry Ruggs II-John Brown
WR (2): Brandon Edwards-Zay Jones
WR (SLOT): Hunter Renfrow-Willie Snead
LT: Kolton Miller-Brandon Parker
LG: Richie Incognito-John Simpson
C: Andre James-Nick Martin
RG: Denzelle Good-Patrick Omameh
RT: Alex Leatherwood-Jaryd Jones-Smith
TE: Darren Waller-Foster Moreau
DE: Yannick Ngakoue-Carl Nassib
NT: Johnathan Hankins-Niles Scott
DT: Quinton Jefferson or Solomon Thomas or Darius Philon
DE: Maxx Crosby-Clelin Ferrell
SLB: Tanner Muse-Asmar Bilal
MLB: Nicholas Morrow-Nick Kwiatkoski
WLB: Cory Littleton-Javin White
LCB: Trayvon Mullen-Keisean Nixon
RCB: Casey Hayward-Damon Arnette
CB: Nevin Lason-Nate Hobbs
SS: Johnathan Abram-Karl Joseph
FS: Tre’von Moehrig-Dallin Leavitt
Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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