Charles Snowden wants to seize his chances to the fullest

Sep 13, 2024 at 10:42 AM

Levi Edwards

Digital Team Reporter

Over the course of three weeks, the trajectory of Charles Snowden's 2024 season has significantly shifted.

The former UDFA from Virginia signed to the Raiders practice squad at the end of last season, but before arriving to the desert, he spent his first three NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears practice squads.

He turned heads in Raiders training camp this year by using his long frame to bat down balls at the line of scrimmage and get pressure on the quarterback. What he showcased on the practice field translated over in the team's preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers to the tune of a sack, a tackle for loss and a pass deflection.

"In practice, I'd always thought that I played well," Snowden said on Upon Further Review with Eddie Paskal. "For me, mentally, it was never a matter of, 'Am I capable?' It was a matter of, 'Will I get another shot?' Once I got the opportunity here, I wasn't necessarily worried about if I would be able to perform, but just a matter of taking advantage of it and just proving to everyone that I'm ready."

Despite turning in an impressive training camp, he was still on the bubble for the 53-man roster. In what Antonio Pierce considered a tough decision, Snowden was waived and the next day, signed to the practice squad.

"We made a 53-man roster. If we had 54, he would have been the 54th guy," Pierce said. "He was right there. I thought he did a hell of a job in the preseason."

Charles Snowden getting to the QB quick 😤

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As the team prepared for its Week 1 matchup against the Chargers, an unexpected setback hit the defensive line. Malcolm Koonce, slated to be the team's starting edge rusher, suffered an injury in practice and was placed on injured reserve.

Within a swooping moment, Snowden's number was called as he was signed to the active roster the day before the season opener.

"It was a whirlwind. It was a lot," Snowden said. "On one hand, I wanted to appreciate the accomplishment of finally making the active roster and what that meant to me and all the work I put in. But at the same time, we had a game in 24 hours. So, just making sure I was prepared, ready mentally, physically and emotionally. I had just a couple of minutes after I signed to say, 'OK, great' but then it was right back to work."

Snowden's first game with the Raiders was also his first career start. As the Silver and Black defense held the Chargers out of the end zone for the first three quarters of the game, Snowden played in 30 snaps.

"[H]e gives us a lot of flexibility," Pierce said. "He can play SAM linebacker, he could play defensive end, a core special teams guy for us as well. So, for the limited reps he got in practice, I thought he did a pretty good job. He showed up."

Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham credited Snowden for raising his level in play in practice since signing to the active roster. Graham emphasized the best thing Snowden can continue to do is fine tuning his technique .

"The physicality is what I wanted to make sure I saw from him," Graham said. "He showed it in training camp and was on the practice squad, and then he got moved up because he showed that. It's about the physicality of the game at that position before you get to the pass rush because if we don't have good edges, it doesn't matter. .... Focus on setting a good edge, playing with your hands, playing with your hands out in front of your eyes, making sure that you're controlling your block, and we'll get to the pass rush stuff later."

Snowden now sets his attention to the Week 2 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, which also means a return to his home state of Maryland. It will be a huge task for the team to contain reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. Nevertheless, Snowden believes the defensive line will be up for the challenge as always.

"The culture in the D-line here is great, everyone supports one another," he said. "It's not a haves and have nots. It's definitely, we're all just one room. That confidence, that faith and the opportunity has given me the chance I have now."

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.