Raiders position battles – Syndication Server

5 wide-open position battles for Raiders

These 5 positions are up for grabs for Raiders this offseason

If you really want to get down to it, there are only a few positions that are completely settled for the Raiders at this very moment. But there are levels to this. Some offer a pretty good idea of who is on track to be the starter. While others the picture is far less clear.

This is about those positions at which the picture is quite unclear. Ones you can’t with any kind of certainty pin down a sure starter, or even, in some cases, a depth chart.

For that we look at five particular positions which will likely take through training camp to settle.

Raiders right tackle job is up for grabs with many suitors

Right tackle is shaping up to be a free-for-all in Las Vegas

To say the Raiders’ right tackle job is up for grabs would be an understatement. Predictions on who will be the starter come the season as well as opinions on who is should be are vast.

There are probably about five guys who could potentially take this spot. They include last year’s top pick Alex Leatherwood, incumbent Brandon Parker, journeyman Jermaine Eluemunor, guard Denzelle Good, and rookie seventh-round pick Thayer Munford.

One could make a case for any of these guys to stand out from the rest. But the truth is no one really knows how it will shake out. And that includes the coaching staff.

Leatherwood was selected at 17 overall in the 2021 draft to be the team’s right tackle and was moved inside after just four games. Could he have developed since then and reclaim the right tackle job? That is the primary question for him. He also wasn’t great at guard, but he has a high salary and that could prompt the team to try to get him on the field in some capacity.

Parker stepped into the right tackle job after Leatherwood was moved inside. He wasn’t great, but the team brought him back anyway which suggests they see something in him. Perhaps a backup swing tackle?

Eluemunor’s three starts last season all came at the right guard spot. But started eight games at tackle in 2020 with the Patriots and Josh McDaniels. That could give him a leg up in this competition.

Good slid over from guard to tackle early in the 2020 season and played quite well for a couple of games. He may be best suited at guard, but if he is one of the best five options to be on the field, tackle could be where he lines up.

Munford may be a seventh-round pick, but he has a lot of tackle experience and was projected as a mid-round pick. Being a draft pick of the new regime means they have high hopes for him and could favor him over holdovers from the previous staff’s roster.

Honestly, any of these guys have a legit shot at the right tackle job depending on how things shake out in camp. The next step is to see who is getting first-team reps come minicamp in June.

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Raiders 3rd round pick Dylan Parham to be ‘cross-trained’ at center, guard

Dylan Parham will be given every opportunity to seize a starting job at either center or guard for Raiders

All through the draft process, the Raiders have talked about valuing versatility, particularly along the offensive line. So, when they made Dylan Parham their first pick at 90 overall, it made a whole lot of sense.

Parham has extensive experience, starting every game over the past four seasons for Memphis at both guard spots as well as right tackle. And since he started the draft process, the book on him is that he translates to the center position in the pros.

He began his college career starting two seasons at left guard. Then after a season at right tackle, he earned First Team All AAC at right guard. The Raiders could potentially use him at either guard or center and his ability to do both made him all the more intriguing.

“Definitely a part of the allure,” said GM Dave Ziegler of Parham’s versatility. “The value of a guy that can come in and play two spots. Just adds depth to your team. That’s an important part of the evaluation. Allows you the opportunity to add more players to the game.”

Parham, of course, said he would play wherever the Raiders ask him to play. The center position comes with a longer list of demands than guard, so there are reasons why NFL talent evaluators see him translating to center.

“I feel like center-wise, my intelligence,” said Parham. “I’ve had 51 starts throughout my time at Memphis so I’ve seen a lot of football. I’ve learned a lot of different things, seeing defenses and things like that, so I feel like it’s a combination of a lot of things.”

There is a large group of interior lineman on this Raiders team, but none of them have a lock on a spot. Parham will be thrown into that mix with the opportunity to earn a starting job.

“We’re going to let him come in and see what he can do,” said Ziegler. “And the more he can do, we’re going to allow him to do. We’re not going to set out with ‘you’re going to start here or start there. We’ll just give him an opportunity and see where it goes.”

“All our offensive linemen, they all get cross-trained across the board. . . The interior guys all work at guard and center. He’ll be no different than all the other guys on our team. We’ll give all the guys opportunities to work at both spots.”

What condition Raiders cornerback position is in heading into free agency 2022

Assessing the Raiders level of need at the cornerback spot with free agency coming up.

With free agency under a month away, it’s time to check in on the Raiders’ cornerback position to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Returning starters: Trayvon Mullen, Nate Hobbs

Backups: Keisean Nixon, Amik Robertson, Kavon Frazier, Cre’Von LeBlanc

Free agents: Casey Hayward, Brandon Facyson, Desmond Trufant

Heading into last season, Trayvon Mullen was the only sure starter. Then he got injured, Casey Hayward ran away with the title of Raiders best DB and fifth-round rookie Nate Hobbs emerged as a phenom in the slot.

Mullen was injured in week four and placed on IR. He returned in week 14, and promptly landed back on IR. Despite the back-to-back injuries, this isn’t a common thing for Mullen. It’s actually the first time in his career he’s missed any games at all. So, he figures to once again be in line to start on the outside.

Hobbs was a force in the slot from the opener. He won the job in camp and never looked back. He has no glaring weaknesses on the field. I say on the field because his weakness seems to be poor judgment off of it. Behind the wheel of a car specifically, having been arrested for DUI and pulled over for going 115 in a 65 just two weeks later. If he gets his head on straight, he’s got a bright future.

They got only spot duty and marginal play from the others. Nixon has been serviceable at times, but nothing that would suggest he is starting caliber.

Condition: Serious

The Raiders a looking at the very real possibility of losing their top cornerback in free agency. Hayward followed Gus Bradley to Las Vegas last offseason, he could do it again with Bradley in Indianapolis. If that happens, or if Hayward simply takes a better deal elsewhere, the Raiders will have to be a player in the free-agent market for a corner.

What condition Raiders DT position is in heading into free agency 2022

What condition Raiders position is in ahead of free agency: Defensive tackle

With free agency under a month away, it’s time to check in on the Raiders’ defensive tackle position to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Returning starters: None

Backups: Kendal Vickers, PJ Johnson, Andrew Billings

Free agents: Jonathan Hankins, Quinton Jefferson, Darius Philon, Solomon Thomas, Gerald McCoy

Last season the Raiders had a pretty decent rotation of defensive tackles in Hankins, Jefferson, Philon, and Thomas. McCoy was in the mix to start the season, but was injured in the season opener and didn’t return.

Hankins continued to be the lane clogging nose tackle, just as he had been the previous three seasons for the Raiders. He was joined by the others. The Raiders hoped they would get at least one starter and a solid rotation player, and they got that and more.

Jefferson turned out to be the closest to an every-down tackle among them, offering a good balance of run stopping and pass rush. While Philon and Thomas offered pass rush off the bench.

Condition: Serious

You may notice that word “None” by Returning starters. That’s right, every one of the defensive tackles who were either starters or solid rotational guys are headed for free agency. They would be smart to make a play to keep at least a couple of them. If not they will have to either sign an outside free agent or spend a high draft pick on one.

What condition Raiders center position is in heading into free agency 2022

What condition Raiders position is in ahead of free agency: Center

With free agency under a month away, it’s time to check in on the Raiders’ center position to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Returning starter: Andre James

Backups: Brett Heggie

Free agents: Nick Martin

Andre James was given the nod as the starter this season when the team traded away Pro Bowl center Rodney Hudson. Then James was given a vote of confidence with an extension. His start week one was just his second start of the former undrafted free agent’s three-year career. He had an up-and-down season as the starter. Not entirely justifying the former staff’s confidence in him, but showing some flashes and signs of improvement as the season went on.

Heggie was added to the practice squad late in the season and retained on a reserve/future contract.

Condition: Unstable

The main question is whether the new coaching staff will be as enamored with James as the last one. James started the season rough, seemed to put things together in the middle part of the season, and then saw his performances dip in the final few weeks and the wildcard loss. An upgrade is very possible. Competition is a near certainty.

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What condition Raiders tight end position is in heading into free agency 2022

What condition Raiders position is in ahead of free agency: Tight end

With free agency under a month away, it’s time to check in on the Raiders’ tight end position to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Returning starter: Darren Waller

Backups: Foster Moreau

Free agents: Derek Carrier, Nick Bowers

Darren Waller’s down numbers this season are mostly due to getting injured and missing five games. He isn’t injured much and has a legit shot at being an All-Pro at any given time.

Moreau is a serviceable second tight end. He is a decent blocker with underrated hands. While his overall numbers aren’t going to raise many eyebrows, he can sneak up on a defense and is enough of a threat to force them to respect him as a receiver.

Condition: Strong

When you have one of the best tight ends in the game, you are usually in pretty good shape. He is in line for a big contract extension, but regardless, he is under contract for next season, so there’s no real concern there.

Carrier and Bowers are mostly special teams players, so they won’t move the needle whether or not they stay.

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What condition Raiders wide receiver position is in heading into free agency 2022

What condition Raiders position is in ahead free agency: Wide receiver

With free agency under a month away, it’s time to check in on the Raiders’ wide receiver position to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Returning starters: Hunter Renfrow, Bryan Edwards

Backups: DJ Turner, Javon Wims, Dillon Stoner, Tyron Johnson

Free agents: Zay Jones, DeSean Jackson

Last season Hunter Renfrow took the reins of the receiving corps and cemented his place in the franchise record book with the third-most catches in a single season (103) in Raiders history. He also became the team’s first 1000-yard receiver (1038) since 2016 (Amari Cooper). He was Mr. Reliable in the slot. And it was a good thing too because he got little to no help from his fellow receivers.

A group that started with Henry Ruggs III as the number one, ended the season with Zay Jones as the most productive outside receiver. In case you’re wondering, that’s not a good thing.

Jones was joined on the outside by Bryan Edwards and the addition of DeSean Jackson. They combined for 804 yards. While Edwards took a step forward from his rookie year, he was not at the level of what you need from a starting X receiver.

Condition: Critical

Jones and Jackson are headed for free agency, which would leave the Raiders with essentially no legitimate outside receiver. Keeping either or both of them would yield the same result. Edwards may continue his development, but even if he does, the team is desperate for a deep-threat Z receiver to replace Ruggs.

They also have precisely no depth to speak of with a group that’s who’s who of who’s that? It’s unfortunate the Raiders are back in the position of desperate need at receiver, but that’s where they are.

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Raiders OC says ‘most difficult decision’ among cuts will come at wide receiver

There were a few people who were surprised to see Marcell Ateman among the players who were cut in the second wave this week. The former seventh round pick has hung around the Raiders roster and practice squad the past three years and was coming off a solid performance in the team’s second preseason game.

The thing is, though, it doesn’t really matter whether Ateman was cut now or in the final wave. He was going to have a tough time cracking this roster regardless.

“There’s great competition at the wide receiver position,” said Raiders OC Greg Olson. “That’ll probably be the most difficult decision, will be making the cuts at the wide receiver position.”

The group is not supremely talented. There are many question marks. But it’s deep. And the top four spots are spoken for, leaving one or two spots left.

Those expected to make the roster for sure are Henry Ruggs III, Bryan Edwards, Hunter Renfrow, and John Brown. Next up is probably Zay Jones who has stood out this camp and preseason. If they keep only five, that’s the most likely group.

If they keep six receivers, Willie Snead would seem to have a good chance as the next man up in the slot, but I wouldn’t say I’m overly confident in that. He hasn’t made himself indispensable, leaving the door open for the team to possibly choose an unknown with potential instead.

Rounding out the roster are Keelan Doss, DJ Turner, and Dillon Stoner. All of whom have shown up for the team. Doss and Turner shined in the first preseason game and Stoner has shown some potential in practice as a project.

Regardless, there will be at least one tough decision that has to be made.

Raiders move CB Amik Robertson outside after failed nickel corner experiment

As of Saturday night, after the Raiders’ second preseason game against the Rams, Nate Hobbs had intercepted and ran away with the Raiders’ nickel corner job. With Nevin Lawson suspended for the first two games, Hobbs’s primary competition coming into camp was second-year man Amik Robertson. Not anymore.

Hobbs took home the game ball Saturday night while Robertson made a couple nice plays at outside cornerback. Head coach Jon Gruden has seen enough.

“[Amik Robertson] is a guy last year we tried to make a nickel corner and that’s a hard position as you know in this league with all the Jet Sweeps,” said Gruden Wednesday. “If that Jet Sweep starts on the right and jets to the left, there’s a good chance, you gotta bump into the box and be a linebacker. And I think Amik looked at that a little bit differently when [Richie] Incognito was blocking him in the box. But now as an outside corner, you see what he is. You can see the skillset that he has. He’s played better, he’s gotten more confidence. Not that he can’t be a nickel because he has worked in there, but he’s clearly at home on the outside.”

Robertson barely saw the field his rookie season as a fourth round project. Then Hobbs comes in as a fifth round rookie and quickly showed a feel for the position, both in coverage and as a tackler.

The question now becomes whether Robertson would still be the next man up behind Hobbs at nickel for the first two games while Lawson serves his suspension? Or could the Raiders tap Damon Arnette for those duties after seeing his starting job on the outside usurped by veteran Casey Hayward? Plenty of moving pieces that’s for sure.