Upgrade at skill positions expected to boost offense
NAPA >> The Raiders are younger, faster and more talented on offense. When they begin full-squad practices Saturday, we’ll begin to see if that translates into being much better than the unit that ranked No. 23 in the NFL last season.
A look at the offensive depth chart (*projected starter):
QUARTERBACKS (3) Lock: Derek Carr
Bubble: Mike Glennon
Long shot: Nathan Peterman
Analysis: Nothing to see here except plenty of Carr going into a season which will determine whether he remains the Raiders quarterback into Las Vegas or if coach Jon Gruden heads in another direction. Pay no mind to the predraft nonsense. This was always going to be Carr’s year. Glennon is the favorite to hold off the Peterman rehabilitation project, although keep in mind last season EJ Manuel beat out Connor Cook as the backup and both ended up getting released in favor of A.J. McCarron.
RUNNING BACKS (7) Locks: Josh Jacobs, Jalen Richard
Bubble: Doug Martin, DeAndre Washington, Chris Warren III, Keith Smith (FB)
Long shot: Alec Ingold (FB)
Analysis: Remember how good Darren McFadden was in the 25games he played when Hue Jackson ran the offense? Jacobs could approach that kind of production, which would roughly translate to 1,200yards and 50 receptions. The process of transforming him into a workhorse back starts in Napa. Richard’s value is as a satellite back and he’ll get plenty of work. Martin’s pretty close to a sure thing unless he puts the ball on the ground. Washington has looked the part of an NFL back but is too similar to Richard. Warren’s power was intriguing as he led the NFL in preseason rushing but a spot on the 53 man be too much to ask. Smith didn’t have a good first year with the Raiders, but special teams coach Rich Bisaccia likes him.
• Smith suffered a knee injury while training while training and is expected to miss at least a few weeks, according to the NFL Network. Smith will be placed on the physically unable to perform list, which leaves undrafted free agent Ingold from Wisconsin as the only fullback on the roster.
WIDE RECEIVERS (12) Locks: Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams
Bubble: Ryan Grant, J.J. Nelson, Hunter Renfrow, Dwayne Harris (RS), Marcel Ateman, Keelan Doss
Long shot: Brian Burt, Rico Gafford, Keon Hatcher, De’Mornay Pierson-El
Analysis: Pretty much a free-for-all after Brown and Williams. Brown will set the pace and the rest will draft in his wake. Williams has shown ability to get deep during non-contact workouts. Expect Grant and Renfrow to battle for time in the slot, although in Gruden’s system any receiver can wind up at any of the three spots. Ateman showed some promise as a jump-and-catch receiver but the competition is fierce. Harris sticks unless the Raiders discover another special teams player who can both return kicks and cover them. Doss has the best shot of the undrafted free agents to stay.
TIGHT ENDS (6) Locks: Darren Waller Bubble: Derek Carrier, Foster Moreau, Luke Willson, UP NEXT
Friday: Veterans report to training camp
Erik Swoope, Paul Butler Long shot: None Analysis: Waller has been talked up by coaches all offseason for two reasons — he’s a spectacular athlete, and everyone realizes the Raiders made no effort to sign their most productive receiver last season (Jared Cook) because of his presence. After that, five tight ends battle for two or possibly three more roster spots. They liked Moreau enough to let Lee Smith go, so he likely sticks. Carrier played special teams.
OFFENSIVE LINE (16) Locks: Kolton Miller (LT), Rodney Hudson (C), Gabe Jackson (RG), Trent Brown (RT), Brandon Parker (T)
Bubble: Richie Incognito (LG), Jordan Devey (G-C), Denzelle Good (G), Denver Kirkland (G-T), David Sharpe (T), Johnathan Cooper (G), Justin Murray (T), Lester Cotton Sr. (G)
Long shot: Lukayus McNeil (G), Andre James (T), Tyler Roemer (T)
Analysis: Not much riding on this unit except for having the biggest say in how the last year of the franchise in Oakland is remembered. Fitting, considering the greatest things accomplished by the Raiders had to do with stout offensive line play in their glory years. No worries about Jackson and Hudson inside. They’re top-shelf. How will Miller respond in Year 2? How does Brown react to being the NFL’s highest-paid lineman? Does Goode give way to Incognito after two weeks? There’s also no guarantee how much Incognito has left. Coaches seem to think it’s plenty, but expiration dates can arrive suddenly among 30-something players. Parker ideally gets a chance to sit back and develop as a swing tackle. Kirkland has managed to stick around into his third year.