5 Notable Raiders Players At Risk Heading Into Training Camp, Including Aidan O’Connell

The Las Vegas Raiders are gearing up for another grueling campaign with a new source of hope. After years of struggle, the team now has a Super Bowl-winning head coach in Pete Carroll.

Carroll vanquished one of the best AFC West teams of all time in Super Bowl 48, giving plenty of hope that he can do it again before all is said and done.

However, if vanquishing the Kansas City Chiefs is the peak of the mountain, solidifying the roster is reaching for the first climbing hold.

Some of the 2025 Raiders will likely be part of the team that eventually peaks under Carroll, but not everyone. Here’s a look at who could be in danger of an unplanned exit or a demotion.

Aidan O’Connell, QB, Las Vegas Raiders

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders Minicamp
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Carroll’s new presence, coupled with the addition of John Spytek, signals a radical change in the team’s vision. Aidan O’Connell was part of one plan with the last regime, but that plan has changed. Every player that was part of the previous plan is at risk, including O’Connell. No one is safe (except, of course, Maxx Crosby).

The Raiders could have let it ride with O’Connell, but instead spent draft capital to acquire Geno Smith. One can’t forget about the addition of rookie Cam Miller, either.

O’Connell has had his moments with the team, but neither Carroll nor Spytek was around to see it. He may need another big moment this August to convince the new regime.

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Zamir White, RB

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Rams
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Zamir White is heading into an important fourth year with the Raiders on a downtrend. After earning 4.3 yards per carry in 2023, White slipped to earn 2.8 yards per carry and under 200 total rushing yards on the season in 2024.

White needs to not only make the roster but also convince the Raiders to extend his deal beyond 2025, which could be a tall order in a backfield shared with Ashton Jeanty.

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Raheem Mostert, RB

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders Minicamp
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Raheem Mostert has had a long career with plenty of ups and downs, but the reason the Raiders added him was likely due to his 2023 output, in which he crossed the 1,000-yard mark and led the league in rushing touchdowns.

However, his 2024 production was shockingly small in comparison, despite playing nearly as many games. The reason could be his advanced age at 33 years old, and if the Raiders arrive at that same conclusion before September, Mostert could be on the chopping block.

Related: What Pete Carroll Refuses To Ignore Could Change Everything For Raiders

Christian Wilkins, DT

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos
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Christian Wilkins was brought in with the hopes of maintaining the momentum he displayed in 2023, but it didn’t work that way in 2024. Wilkins earned just two sacks with the Raiders after earning nine with the Miami Dolphins in 2023.

To be fair, he played in just five games that season, so if he can stay available with perfect attendance throughout training camp, there will likely be enough hope cultivated to get the Raiders defensive tackle to the regular season.

Wilkins might not be removed from the equation entirely this summer, but he could be at risk for a demotion heading into an age-30 season.

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Ian Thomas, TE

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders Minicamp
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Ian Thomas hasn’t had the most monumental pass-catching career, but he did find a way to make it through seven seasons in the NFL with the same team. The former Carolina Panthers tight end, however, ran out of runway after the 2024 season.

If the Raiders can’t find what the Panthers saw in Thomas for so many seasons, the team could move on, and with Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer in the building, there is hardly a need at the position.

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