The first signs of the 2022 season are happening. Today, for instance, the team released their first depth chart of the season. Here it is:
#Raiders first depth chart of the 2022 regular season. pic.twitter.com/6v76g2BWP6
— Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) September 6, 2022
Some observations:
1. John Simpson listed as starter at left guard with rookie Dylan Parham as the backup. Who would start at that left guard spot between the two of them was a bit up in the air and for a time it appeared as if Parham may have earned the job. We’ll see if Simpson can play well enough to hold him off.
2. Though Parham is only listed at left guard, he is also the backup center and probably the backup right guard as well. He is the utility reserve interior offensive lineman.
3. Jermaine Eluemunor is starting at right tackle. It seemed like he had won the right tackle job in the preseason, but rookie seventh round pick Thayer Munford also made a push for the job. Expect Eluemunor to also be the swing tackle if needed.
4. Brandon Bolden is the next man up at running back behind Josh Jacobs. The veteran comes over from the Patriots where he spent eight years in Josh McDaniels’s offense.
5. Clelin Ferrell is listed as the backup, ahead of Malcolm Koonce, behind starter Chandler Jones. This despite Koonce appearing more effective than Ferrell last season as well as this preseason.
6. Andrew Billings is listed as the starter alongside Bilal Nichols. Through much of the offseason, it was Johnathan Hankins who seemed like the favorite for the nose tackle spot. No doubt he will rotate in plenty.
7. The lineup is listed like a 4-3 base, with two DE’s, two DT’s, and three LB’s. Though that will likely change a lot during game action.
8. With just two cornerbacks listed as starters, it’s former nickel cornerback Nate Hobbs who gets the nod as the starter across from Rock Ya-Sin. This would suggest that when the Raiders field just two corners, Hobbs would line up on the outside, as opposed to his 2021 home in the slot.
9. Newcomer Ameer Abdullah is listed as the primary kick returner. That increases his value being that his value on offense is supposed to lie mostly as a receiver out of the backfield.
10. Despite the preseason emergence of DJ Turner, Hunter Renfrow is still listed as the primary punt returner. Many had hoped Renfrow would be relieved of his punt return duties — thus decreasing the possibility of injury — due to his considerable responsibilities on offense as a Pro Bowl slot receiver.
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