Las Vegas Raiders: Studs and Duds from Hall of Fame Game vs Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders Stud No.1: QB Jarrett Stidham

Well, bless those scales and feathers; Jarrett Stidham has some wheels. The touchdown run by the former Patriots backup quarterback certainly had the fans of the Silver and Black giving him some worthy applause.

Additionally, he had a solid overall performance.

8/15 for 96 yards isn’t great, but the rushing touchdown gives him the approval to join the stud list for this game. Moreover, he seemed to manage the game better when he was playing and looked more comfortable, likely helping his case to be the backup quarterback for Derek Carr once the season begins.

Stats don’t tell the whole story; it’s what takes place on the field that matters most. Jarrett Stidham didn’t dominate, but he made enough plays to earn a “stud” title for this game, and more of these performances in the preseason can ensure his safety on the roster.

Las Vegas Raiders Stud No. 2: RB Austin Walter

The preseason shows us that unknowns will do anything to make the team or at least impress the coaching staff enough to ensure a good recommendation. In the case of Austin Walter, not only did he score a touchdown as well, but he ran pretty well and showed the ability to move the chains.

Eight carries for 49 yards, including a bruising 22-yard run, shows Walter has some talent and may be worth keeping around. Though he went undrafted back in 2019, the former Rice standout has fresh legs, having bounced around a bit, meaning by joining the Raiders, he would be helpful in any rotation.

Granted, it’s just one game, and, likely, Austin Walter may not replicate this performance for the rest of the preseason, but at least in this game, he got the attention of the public and head coach Josh McDaniels. That’s bound to mean something, and he deserves credit for it.