As NFL training camp continues, the monotony of going against the same team in practice becomes real. For those reasons, as well as crafting another game-like situation outside of the preseason as teams focus on cutting down their roster, NFL organizations have joint practices, where they compete against each other in drills and usually a scrimmage.
Several joint practices are happening this upcoming week, with the San Francisco 49ers set to visit the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, August 14, in Henderson, NV, sparking particular interest. Here are five matchups to watch, complete with full analysis and using our PFSN metrics.
5 Battles to Watch During the 49ers and Raiders’ Joint Practice
49ers LB Fred Warner vs. Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty
Though Ashton Jeanty is a rookie, he’s coming off a historic rushing season with the Boise State Broncos and a high draft slot, putting high expectations on him to be an impact starter from day one. Meanwhile, Fred Warner is a known commodity: a four-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro.
Jeanty and Warner matching up in space will be something to see.
Last season at Boise State, Jeanty carried the ball 374 times, gained 2,601 yards, and scored 29 touchdowns. He was downright unstoppable, which led to him being a Heisman finalist from a Group of 5 program.
At 5’8″, 208 pounds, he’s elusive and has game-breaking speed, but also possesses a powerful, physical running style that should serve him well in the NFL.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but I’ve consistently heard Ashton Jeanty has been turning heads in a major way since the moment he stepped on the field in Vegas. The pre-draft buzz around his elite contact balance, explosiveness and natural feel as a runner wasn’t just hype.… pic.twitter.com/Jz3H2bx3TY
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 6, 2025
One of his first tests in the league will come in the form of Warner, who’s been one of the sport’s top linebackers for years. Warner registered an 81.95 (B-) LB+ score, the 16th-highest mark per our metrics. That may be a tad low on the BYU alum, who was named an All-Pro after totaling 131 total tackles, four forced fumbles, and seven passes defensed.
Excellent in space, the 6’3″, 230-pound Warner will be tested when having to defend Jeanty in the pass game. Just as intriguing will be seeing them meet in the hole, as both are extremely powerful at the point of attack.
Raiders S Jeremy Chinn vs. 49ers TE George Kittle
As the strong safety in Las Vegas’ defense, Jeremy Chinn will be tasked with either getting his hands on or defending tight ends this season. Soon enough, we’ll see whether that will be an issue for the Raiders.
Drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second round in 2020, Chinn quickly became known as one of the more physical and rangy safeties in the league, using his 6’3″, 220-pound frame to thump ball carriers and close throwing windows. But when two seasons mired by injuries followed two excellent seasons, he wasn’t re-signed.
He rekindled some of his skills a season ago with the Washington Commanders, finishing the year with 117 total tackles, five passes defensed, and a 74.31 (C) score in our SAF+ database. But, once again, he wasn’t re-signed. Though just 27, his 2-year, $16.2 million deal with Las Vegas is seen as a last chance of sorts to prove his worth.
His matchup with George Kittle will be challenging, to say the least. Forget the stats, which don’t account for his insanely good blocking: Kittle owns all three top season spots in our TE+ database, with 2024 coming in at No. 2 and a near-perfect score of 99.43 (A+).
Kittle does it all, ensuring that Chinn will have his hands full on Thursday.
49ers DC Robert Saleh vs. Raiders OC Chip Kelly
How about a good ‘ole coaching matchup to keep an eye on? While this is much broader than just player vs. player, it’s a good reminder that coaches have to dust off their play-calling skills during training camp as well. And for both Robert Saleh and Chip Kelly, they’ll be easing themselves into roles they weren’t in last season.
Saleh’s transition should come more easily, as he served as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator for four seasons (2017-2020). He was then hired by the New York Jets for three-plus seasons before returning to San Francisco to coordinate the defense once again.
Kelly spent last season as the offensive coordinator for the national championship-winning Ohio State Buckeyes, where he had a litany of NFL-caliber playmakers at his disposal. However, it was not his first stop in the NFL, as he was the Philadelphia Eagles head coach from 2013 to 2015.
Their schemes will be an interesting clash, as Saleh has regularly deployed a 4-3 base alignment with an emphasis on Cover 3 zone coverage. Saleh’s defenses are nearly always physical and ball-hawking.
Earlier in his career, Kelly utilized breakneck, no-huddle speed on offense. But with the Buckeyes, there seemed to be a heavy focus on physicality, establishing the run, and taking shots down the field.
Saleh’s philosophy seems like a nice fit to combat Kelly’s current scheme, but we’ll see if Kelly has any tricks up his sleeve with several talented skill players on this Raiders offense.
Raiders DE Maxx Crosby vs. 49ers RT Colton McKivitz
This one is about watching what “Mad” Maxx Crosby does to his matchup. It’s a thing of beauty watching the intensity and motor combined with the skillful physicality and use of his hands that Crosby utilizes to get to the quarterback.
Although playing in just 12 games, he had 45 total tackles and led the Raiders with 7.5 sacks. His 85.75 (B) EDGE+ score ranked ninth. When healthy, Crosby is one of the best pass rushers in the game.
Across from him in San Francisco will be right tackle Colton McKivitz, who may already have nightmares. To his credit, McKivitz was right around average as both a pass- and run-blocker, not committing too many mistakes while also not quite being Pro Bowl-caliber.
But to be able to stop — or even contain — Crosby, he’ll have to be at or above that level.
Watch for the 49ers to send help in the form of a tight end chip or running back staying in to block in passing situations. If Crosby is on an island with McKivitz, San Francisco should not like their chances.
49ers DE Nick Bosa vs. Raiders LT Kolton Miller
Another intriguing defensive line-offensive line matchup is Nick Bosa against Kolton Miller. Both teams feel highly of these players, with Bosa on a massive 3-year, $170 million contract and Miller recently signing a 3-year, $66 million deal to remain a Raider long term.
While we don’t have metrics for offensive line, Miller is considered an above-average tackle who uses his frame (6’8″, 325 pounds) to his advantage. Despite being taller than his opponents, Miller’s able to anchor well in the pass game and has shown solid mobility in the run game.
Similar to McKivitz, he’ll be put to work against Bosa, whose efforts last season earned him an 84.76 EDGE+ rating, slotting him right behind Crosby in the 10th spot. In 14 games, he amassed 52 total tackles and was tops on the team with nine sacks.
Nick Bosa x Maxx Crosby pic.twitter.com/h7PbWQ3brn
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) August 13, 2025
Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith struggled mightily last season with the Seattle Seahawks when pressured, making it of utmost importance that Miller can protect his backside, especially from elite, game-wrecking pass rushers of Bosa’s ilk.
