Predicting Raiders' Breakout Players at 2023 OTAs, Minicamp

The Las Vegas Raiders have leaned heavily into the rebuilding process this offseason, adding new veteran starters such as Jimmy Garoppolo and Jakobi Meyers while drafting potential building blocks like Tyree Wilson and Michael Mayer.

The 2023 NFL season could be a rocky one in Las Vegas, but it's all about laying the foundation for a more fruitful future. Having returning players grow and develop along the way is a big part of that.

A great example from last season is the emergence of cornerback Amik Robertson. The 2020 fourth-round pick had his most productive season as a pro, recording nine passes defended, two interceptions and a fumble recovery that was returned for a touchdown.

The 24-year-old could become a defensive staple moving forward, and Las Vegas will look to uncover more players like him in 2023.

Starting jobs aren't won or lost during offseason team activities (OTAs) and minicamp, but the workouts could give the Raiders a glimpse at some developing players who deserve to stick around.

Below, you'll find a look at three returning veterans who could begin standing out this offseason.

The Raiders used a third-round pick on former Memphis lineman Dylan Parham last offseason and were rewarded with a player who started all 17 games and played 94 percent of the offensive snaps.

That's a strong return on a third-round investment, though the 23-year-old certainly left room for improvement. According to Pro Football Focus, he was responsible for five penalties and six sacks allowed—a high number for an interior lineman.

Parham is now poised to show some second-year growth, and there are a couple of reasons for this. For one, he's entering his second season under offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, who followed head coach Josh McDaniels over from the New England Patriots.

Secondly, McDaniels has "his" players in former Patriots such as Garoppolo and Meyers. He should be able to run more of what he and Bricillo were accustomed to in New England, and the offense as a whole should show a bit more cohesion than it did in 2022.

This all adds up to a promising situation for Parham, who will be a better player in Year 2 and will begin showing his growth during offseason workouts. The second-year man could easily be one of Las Vegas' most improved players this summer.

The Raiders used a 2022 fourth-round pick on running back Zamir White. While he played only 40 offensive snaps as a rookie—as Las Vegas leaned heavily into Josh Jacobs being an every-down back—he came in with immense potential.

"White is a tough runner who consistently falls forward through contact. He has enough speed to get to the edge and create yards at the second level," Nate Tice wrote for the Bleacher Report Scouting Department last year.

Expect the Georgia product to start showing more of that potential this offseason, as Las Vegas begins preparing for the potential departure of Jacobs. The 2022 rushing champion was given the franchise tag, has yet to sign his tender and skipped voluntary workouts earlier in the offseason.

There's a real chance Jacobs is entering his final season with Las Vegas, and the Raiders need to have a succession plan in place. White can be a part of that plan, and he should see plenty of offseason work because of it.

The 23-year-old will also get additional opportunities if Jacobs continues holding out. Expect the second-year back to make his fair share of offseason highlight reels with his combination of size (5'11", 214 lbs) and quickness (4.40-second 40-yard dash).

Unlike our first two entries, defensive tackle Jerry Tiller wasn't drafted by the Raiders—and he wasn't even a member of the team before midseason. A 2019 first-round pick of the rival Los Angeles Chargers, he was only claimed off waivers in November.

However, the 26-year-old quickly made his way into the Las Vegas rotation, appearing in seven games and recording eight tackles plus a sack.

Las Vegas re-signed Tillery this offseason, and in his first offseason with the team, he'll have a good chance to carve out a prominent role. He's had time to adjust to the coaching and the schemes of defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and should start capitalizing on the potential he flashed occasionally in Los Angeles.

As a full-time starter in 2021, the Notre Dame product recorded 51 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 21 quarterback pressures.

Rookie defensive linemen Wilson and Byron Young will get plenty of offseason attention this year, but Tillery can boost the Raiders defense significantly by taking positive steps during the summer and being more of the player he was in L.A. two years ago for Las Vegas in 2023.

*Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.