With the Oakland Raiders set to take on the Dallas Cowboys in the first preseason game of the year on Friday, the team released the depth chart for the upcoming game with some surprises.
Although there were no surprises in terms of starters at quarterback and running back, a few players have dropped down the depth chart that weren’t expected to.
Here’s a first look at how the Raiders’ roster may look heading into the 2013 NFL season:
OFFENSE ————————————————————————————-
Quarterback: Matt Flynn, Terrelle Pryor, Matthew McGloin, Tyler Wilson
Running Back: Darren McFadden, Rashad Jennings, Jeremy Stewart, Latavius Murray
Full Back: Marcel Reese, Jamize Olawle, Jon Hoese
Wide Receiver 1: Denarius Moore, Brice Butler, Jacoby Ford, Trey Sessions
Wide Receiver 2: Rod Streater, Juron Criner, Andre Holmes, Conner Vernon
Tight End: Richard Gordon, David Ausberry, Mychal Rivera, Jeron Mastrud
Left Tackle: Jared Veldheer, Alex Barron, Willie Smith
Left Guard: Lucas Nix, Tony Bergstrom
Center: Stefen Wisniewski, Alex Parsons, Andre Gurode, Terry Robiskie
Right Guard: Mike Brisiel, Jason Foster, Lamar Mady
Right Tackle: Khalif Barnes, Menelik Watson, John Wetzel
DEFENSE ————————————————————————————–
Defensive End (Right): Lamar Houston, Andre Carter, David Bass
Defensive End (Left): Jason Hunter, Jack Crawford, Ryan Robinson
Defensive Tackle: Langston Walker, Christo Bilukidi, Brandon Blair, Kurt Taufa’asau
Nose Tackle: Pat Sims, S McGee, R Bakers
Weakside Linebacker: Kevin Burnett, Kaluka Maiava, Keenan Clayton
Middle Linebacker: Nick Roach, Miles Burris, Omar Gaither, Billy Boyko
Strongside Linebacker: Sio Moore, Kaelin Burnett, Eric Harper
Cornerback (Left): Tracy Porter, Chimdi Chekwa, Phillip Adams, Mitchell White
Cornerback (Right): Mike Jenkins, D.J. Hayden, Joselio Hanson, Taiwan Jones
Strong Safety: Tyvon Branch, Brandian Ross, Shelton Johnson
Free Safety: Charles Woodson, Usama Young, Reggie Smith, Cory Nelms
Special Teams
Kicker: Sebastian Janikowski, Eddy Carmona
Punter: Chris Kluwe, Marquette King
Kicker Returner: Josh Cribbs, Jacoby Ford, Mike Jenkins, Tyvon Branch
Punt Returner: Josh Cribss, Phillip Adams, Jacoby Ford, Tracy Porter
Long Snapper: Jon Condo
Holder: Chris Kluwe, Marquette King
With a lot of uncertainty moving forward in terms of the immediate future of the franchise, the Raiders will have a few positional battles during training camp and throughout the NFL preseason.
As of right now, Matt Flynn and Darren McFadden have tight grip as starters heading into the preseason, but plenty of other prominent positions may be up for grabs.
Among the most notable players attempting to battle their way up the depth chart are Jacoby Ford and rookie D.J. Hayden. Ford may be the fastest player on the team, but struggles to stay healthy. Rod Streater and Denarius Moore are currently at the top of the depth chart at wideout. Juron Crinner and Brice Butler are also ahead of Ford.
As for Hayden, the Raiders’ top draft pick has also struggled to stay healthy and will not play on Friday in the team’s first preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. Hayden was already a big question mark in terms of being able to stay healthy and could become a major concern for the team moving forward.
