In advance of their preseason opener against the Rams on Saturday, the Raiders have released their first “official” preseason depth chart. We are not here to judge the accuracy of the order in the position groups, or question whether it was actually coach Jon Gruden or the media relations team that put this chart together for general consumption.
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We are just here to feed you the information, so here are the position groups as listed in the release, with a quick comment from me on each:
Wide receiver: Antonio Brown, J.J. Nelson, Dwayne Harris, Rico Gafford
Brown posted some workout videos on social media on Tuesday morning, after being AWOL for a while, so that’s probably a good sign in regards to the status of his foot ailments. Nelson has been one of the stars of camp, while Harris is a lock to make the roster because he does it all on special teams. Gafford is the fastest man on the team, even faster than Nelson.
Left tackle: Kolton Miller, Brandon Parker, Tyler Roemer
Nothing to see here. Miller has handled first-round pick Clelin Ferrell, for the most part, and is indeed bigger and stronger and more confident this season. Parker was the hero one day at camp when he beat Arden Key in a practice-ending 1-on-1 matchup and forced the defensive players to run while the offensive players watched.
Left guard: Richie Incognito, Jonathan Cooper, Lester Cotton, Denzelle Good
Incognito continues to get most of the reps. He is going to miss the first two regular-season games due to suspension, so I expect Cooper to get more work shortly.
Center: Rodney Hudson, Jordan Devey, Andre James
Hudson got every protection call right last season, according to Miller. Which leads me to believe he must have been pretty angry after each of the 52 sacks. Like, he told you guys what was coming and still? Devey is the new and improved Jon Feliciano and will also back up at guard.
Right guard: Gabe Jackson, Denver Kirkland
Jackson looks small next to Trent Brown.
Right tackle: Trent Brown, David Sharpe, Justin Murray
Sharpe has been picking Trent Brown’s brain a lot this camp, and is seemingly going against Kirkland for the last roster spot.
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Tight end: Darren Waller. Foster Moreau, Derek Carrier, Luke Willson, Paul Butler
Gruden was just saying on Sunday that the Carrier is going to be hard to beat because he does a lot on special teams as well. The rookie Moreau looks the part, Willson is a cagey veteran and Butler keeps getting bigger and better as well. Should be a good battle for the three or four spots.
Wide receiver: Tyrell Williams, Marcell Ateman, Keon Hatcher, Keelan Doss, Jordan Lasley
Gruden raves about Doss’ versatility. Lasley, the former Raven, is an interesting recent addition. And Hatcher was the preseason star last summer. But Ateman seems determined to fend off all challengers for his spot.
Wide receiver: Hunter Renfrow, Ryan Grant, De’Mornay Pierson-El
We always like to see the preseason games before we make bold statements, but Renfrow seems to have already won the starting slot receiver role. Wonder if the Raiders can trade Grant like they did Ryan Switzer last year at this time?
Quarterback: Derek Carr, Mike Glennon, Nathan Peterman
Carr looks great in camp, as sixth-year starters with fast receivers should against a rebuilding defense. Glennon and Peterman are no E.J. Manuel, who was cut after the preseason finale last year when the Raiders traded for A.J. McCarron.
Running back: Josh Jacobs, Doug Martin, Jalen Richard, James Butler, DeAndre Washington, Mack Brown
It’s interesting that the Raiders listed Butler ahead of the veteran Washington. But … not that interesting. Butler and Mack Brown should get almost all of the preseason carries.
Fullback: Alec Ingold, Keith Smith
Ingold has had a nice camp, but Smith is back soon and I don’t see the Raiders keeping two fullbacks. Practice squad for the rookie?
Defensive end: Clelin Ferrell, Arden Key, Quinton Bell, Alex Barrett
It’s looking like the Raiders are going to stash Bell, and it wasn’t like he was going to chase the quarterback this season, anyway. Key is the key. He has always had confidence, but now it seems well-founded as he has put on a little muscle and is winning his share of matchups in camp.
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Defensive tackle: Justin Ellis, P.J. Hall, Gabe Wright, Anthony Rush
Ellis missed a good chunk of last season and is in very good shape. We’ll see if he can make an impact this season. Hall came into camp a little heavy.
Defensive tackle: Johnathan Hankins, Maurice Hurst, Ethan Westbrooks, Eddie Vanderdoes
Hankins and Hurst could be the keys to the defense if they can generate some inside pass rush. Westbrooks, the veteran type that Gruden loves, and Vanderdoes (out with a concussion) have to beat out Hall for a spot.
Defensive end: Josh Mauro, Benson Mayowa, Maxx Crosby, James Cowser
Defensive line coach Brentson Buckner brought old friend Mauro in to hold his ground on the edge on running downs, and Mauro might also move inside on passing downs. Crosby has a lot of potential, and it seems like it’s just a matter of when and not if before he is chasing quarterbacks.
Strong-side linebacker: Tahir Whitehead, Marquel Lee, Kyle Wilber
Pretty solid group. Burfict directing traffic should free up Whitehead to fly around and make some more plays. Lee is slimmer and Wilber was the special teams captain last season.
Middle linebacker: Vontaze Burfict, Jason Cabinda, Te’von Coney
Cabinda has been a willing pupil for Burfict. Fans love the undrafted Coney, and maybe he stands out more once the preseason games start.
Weak-side linebacker: Brandon Marshall, Nicholas Morrow, Koa Farmer
Marshall, the former Bronco, is finally healthy. Morrow would be a tough cut.
Cornerback: Daryl Worley, Trayvon Mullen, Nevin Lawson, Isaiah Langley, D.J. Killings
Mullen had a really nice second week of camp. Lawson was just suspended for four games for a PED violation, which should open up a spot for Nick Nelson.
Cornerback: Gareon Conley, Nick Nelson, Isaiah Johnson, Keisean Nixon, Dylan Maybin
Conley has not had as good a camp as Worley, but he definitely has made some nice plays and, most importantly, has stayed healthy. Coaches love Johnson’s upside and his special-teams skills.
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Free safety: Lamarcus Joyner/Johnathan Abram, Curtis Riley, Dallin Leavitt
Joyner will be the team’s slot cornerback, but he gets to share top billing with Abram here. Riley has been under the radar, but looks the part as well.
Strong safety: Karl Joseph, Erik Harris, Jordan Richards
Joseph seems to have already beaten out Harris for the starting job, but it is early yet.
Punter: Johnny Townsend, A.J. Cole
They are rotating days at practice and it is pretty even. Cole has the more powerful leg, but Townsend is better at the directional stuff. It will come down to preseason games and what other options are available on the waiver wire.
Kicker: Daniel Carlson
His dad was a pro soccer player. Carlson picked the right sport and last season was no fluke.
Long snapper: Andrew DePaola, Trent Sieg
The veteran against the youngster. The hottest battle of camp, with the loser probably signing with another team.
Kick returner: Dwayne Harris, Jalen Richard
The man who only wears Gucci is never sweating his spot.
Punt returner: Dwayne Harris, Jalen Richard
Renfrow and Antonio Brown will also get a look here and might take Richard’s place as the No. 2 option.
(Photo: Eric Risberg/AP)
