The Las Vegas Raiders have been hard at work revamping their defense under Antonio Pierce's regime. One of the first players to step up and stand out during Pierce's interim head coach tenure was cornerback Jack Jones. Jones was acquired in the middle of the 2023 season after he was cut by the New England Patriots following injury concerns, underperformance, and some off-the-field issues. Jones may not have worked out in New England, but he fit right in with Las Vegas. He has huge expectations for himself and his team in 2024.

“I believe I’m a premier corner already,” Jones said. “I’m not really worried about what y’all say. I just go out there and play ball.”

Jones certainly does not lack confidence, and the ability to ignore outside noise is important for an NFL player. Jones will have to gain some consistency in 2024 if he does want to become a true CB1 for the Raiders. The Raiders would welcome such a transformation.

Jones went on to add a few of his goals for his team this season.

“My goal this year is to be the No. 1 defense and make the playoffs,” Jones said.

Jones has encountered several obstacles in his short NFL career. He suffered a season-ending knee injury as a rookie with the Patriots and was suspended while on IR for missing a rehab session.

Then, during the next offseason, he was arrested at Logan Airport in Boston when two loaded guns were found in his carry-on luggage.

Jones also suffered a hamstring injury early in the 2023 season and didn't see the field until October.

Jones is aware that he will need to work on being consistently available if he wants to achieve his ambitious goals with Las Vegas.

“The (Raiders coaches) know my intent is good,” Jones said. “As long as my intent stays good, then I don’t think we’ll have a problem.”

Zamir White replaces Josh Jacobs in Raiders backfield

Zamir White will finally get his chance to be the Raiders' lead back in 2024. White sat behind Josh Jacobs the past few seasons but now has the chance to be the lead guy after Jacobs left for Green Bay.

The succession plan for White started in 2023. White got an opportunity for a heavy workload early in the 2023 season due to Josh Jacobs' holdout due to contract concerns. White eclipsed 20 carries per game in the first four weeks of the season, accumulating just under 400 rushing yards and one TD in that stretch. He took a back seat to Jacobs after his return, but it was enough of a taste to make the coaching staff confident in his abilities.

Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah will be the change-up options behind Zamir White in 2024.

Aidan O'Connell, Gardner Minshew rotating in with first team offense

The Raiders coaching staff have been very open about the fact that O'Connell and Minshew will have to battle for the QB1 spot.

That battle is now taking place in OTAs. The two QBs are reportedly rotating in with the first team offense during practice.

“It’s competitive,” quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello said. “They both have incredibly good personalities and they balance each other well. They’re different in how they approach it and they’re different in how they play, but their mindsets are similar. They’re bringing out the best in each other. We’re throwing a lot at ’em, and they’ve handled it well.”

The Raiders will be eager to have a definitive answer before the start of the regular season, but they have plenty of time.

“There’s enough reps to go around,” Scangarello said. “Obviously, you’d always like to have one guy established, but I don’t think it will linger. I think someone will emerge. And it’s exciting. It’s a good problem to have.”