With one week of Training Camp in the books, the Oakland Raiders released their first depth chart of the year on Monday. Of course, it’s Aug. 5 we’re talking about here, so the grain of salt we’re called to read this with is more like a boulder but that’s not to say there aren’t some interesting things to note.
Quarterback
You’re not going to believe this, but some guy named Derek Carr is atop the chart. Guess we’ll have to see how this plays out over the spring before we jump to any conclusions though…
(Mike Glennon is currently listed as the No. 2 guy ahead of Jon Gruden’s boy Nathan Peterman)
Backfield
Rookie first-rounder Josh Jacobs is (unsurprisingly) listed as the team’s starting running back ahead of Doug Martin — who has impressed thus far. Jalen Richard is listed as the team’s No. 3 back ahead of DeAndre Washington, James Butler and Mack Brown.
One interesting position to watch is fullback — where undrafted rookie Alec Ingold is currently penciled in as the starter. Of course, his chief competition — Keith Smith — is currently out recovering from back surgery. If Ingold can impress over the coming weeks, don’t be surprised to see the cheaper, younger Ingold make this team.
Receivers and Tight Ends
If the season were to start today, the starting receivers would be Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow. While Brown and Williams were the team’s big off-season additions to the group, Renfrow — the fifth-round pick in this spring’s draft — might be the surprise of the group. While expectations are high for the former Clemson Tiger, many wondered whether he would be able to beat out Ryan Grant (another off-season addition).
The back-up group is made up of J.J. Nelson, Marcell Ateman and Ryan Grant. Ateman is a bit surprising to see in this group only because the 2018 seventh-round pick wasn’t too impressive last season, and yet he sees himself ahead of guys like Keelan Doss (fourth-string), Keon Hatcher and others.
At tight end, Darren Waller leads the group, followed by rookie fourth-rounder Foster Moreau and Derek Carrier. If you’ve followed the Raiders at all this spring, it’s no surprise to see Waller as the presumptive starter (his name gets mentioned seemingly every day) — but to see the rookie Moreau already in the second position was a bit surprising.
Offensive Line
No surprises here (unless you were surprised to see Richie Incognito — who will miss the first two weeks due to a suspension — listed as a starter). As it stands, newcomer Jonathan Cooper would slot into his role for the first two weeks.
Defensive Line
The news was good for rookie Clelin Ferrell here, but not so much for the trio of defensive linemen entering their second season. Despite being the team’s best defensive lineman last year, Maurice Hurst joins fellow sophomores Arden Key and PJ Hall on the second unit. Eddie Vanderdoes, the former third-round pick who many thought might be able to re-establish himself this spring, has missed time with a concussion and is currently listed as a fourth-stringer.
Linebackers
This group might be the one most likely to remain unchanged between now and Week 1 — with Vontaze Burfict, Brandon Marshall (who returned to action this week) and Tahir Whitehead as penciled-in starters.
Defensive Backs
This group is as good and deep as I can remember for the Raiders. Gareon Conley, Daryl Worley and Lamarcus Joyner are three strong corners — with second-rounder Trayvon Mullen and 2018 fourth-rounder Nick Nelson lurking.
At safety, Karl Joseph and Jonathan Abram (both first-round picks) are listed as starters. Technically Abram is “tied” with Joyner, but that’s only a product of the restrictions on how the depth chart is listed. Joyner is expected to play plenty of slot corner this year.
Specialists
Second-year punter Johnny Townsend remains the No. 1 guy on the depth chart, but after an atrocious rookie year, undrafted rookie A. J. Cole has apparently been giving him a run for his money so far. Daniel Carlson is the only kicker listed on the depth chart, so his job is safe.
At long-snapper, there’s a competition going on between Trent Sieg and Andrew DePaola. DePaola, the current starter, was signed by a year ago before missing almost all of last season with an injury — which gave Sieg an opportunity to fill his shoes (which he did well).
Overall Reactions
The thing that jumps out is the number of young guys listed as starters. In total, eight of the 25 starters (not counting kick returner) are either first or second-year guys — and that number jumps to 18 when you include second-stringers. If the Raiders can get production out that group, it will give this franchise hope that it hasn’t had in a few years.
