Four breakout candidates who could establish themselves as Silver and Black centerpieces

Edge rusher might be the biggest position of strength on the Raiders’ roster, at least defensively, despite the two starters both being overlooked to start their NFL careers.

Neither Maxx Crosby nor Malcolm Koonce were considered can’t-miss prospects coming out of the lowly Mid-American Conference in college. Crosby notoriously fell to the fourth round of the 2019 draft out of Eastern Michigan, while Koonce went in the third round two years later out of Buffalo.

But Crosby stood out the moment he got on the field, while Koonce had a breakout campaign in this third season.

Organizations must expect to hit on their first-round draft selections, but a real edge can be found when they discover franchise cornerstones later on.

Here are four players who could emerge as staples for coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek to build around going forward this season.

Right guard: Jackson Powers-Johnson

Eighth year left tackle Kolton Miller, who signed a three-year, $66 million extension this offseason, has long been the leader of the Raiders’ offensive line, but he may need an heir apparent.

Powers-Johnson, a second-round pick in 2024 out of Oregon, looks like the strongest candidate. Some believed Powers-Johnson shouldn’t have slipped out of the first round, and he showed why in spurts of his rookie season by playing with power and an edge that fans say exemplifies the Raider way.

He had something of a rocky training camp this year, though. Powers-Johnson, who won the Rimington Award as college football’s top center two years ago, wanted to shift to the position permanently this season, but Carroll and staff preferred him at guard.

Former undrafted free agent Jordan Meredith will now man the middle of the line with Powers-Johnson playing in between him and second-year right tackle D.J. Glaze.

Wide receiver: Dont’e Thornton

Las Vegas believes it found a steal in the fourth round of this year’s draft with the 6-foot-5, 205-pound burner out of Tennessee.

Thornton blew away all expectations from the minute he arrived at rookie minicamp and claimed a surprise starting spot right away. Most scouted Thornton as an athletically tantalizing player who needed more seasoning, but his route-running and hands have been better than forecasted.

Few players in the league can match up with his 4.3-second 40-yard dash time, and his ability to use that speed has matched well with quarterback Geno Smith’s touch throwing deep passes. 

Thornton capped the preseason by making a contested catch in the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown on a throw from Smith.

Cornerback: Darien Porter

Porter is Thornton’s equivalent on the defensive side of the ball.

Few labeled the Iowa State graduate as a Day 1 starter going into this year’s draft, but Carroll saw something in Porter and pushed for the Raiders to draft him in the third round.

The coach immediately likened him to his most famed former cornerback pupil with the Seahawks, Richard Sherman.

Porter is a converted receiver measuring at 6-foot-3, 195-pounds, making him a nightmare physical matchup for those who line up against him, especially with his 4.3-second 40-yard dash speed.

Porter had some ups and downs throughout training camp but made as many splash plays as anyone in the secondary aside from prized free agent signing safety Jeremy Chinn. Carroll has a strong record in developing young defensive backs, and Porter is his newest project. 

Defensive tackle: Jonah Laulu

The Raiders have a hole in the middle of their defensive line following the release of Christian Wilkins less than a year and a half after signing him to a four-year, $110 million contract. Centennial High graduate Laulu looks to be the likeliest to fill it.

Las Vegas claimed Laulu off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts at the end of last year’s training camp and quickly expressed optimism about the rookie seventh-round draft pick.

By the end of the year with Wilkins sidelined, Laulu was wreaking havoc on opposing offensive lines at the top of the interior rotation. He stuck around the Raiders’ headquarters all offseason, and the new coaching staff took notice of his diligence to improve. 

Laulu could become a fan favorite as one of two locals—alongside Bishop Gorman High cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly—slated to play prominent roles on the Raiders’ defense this year.

This story appeared in Las Vegas Weekly.