5 Position Battles During Raiders' Training Camp
The Oakland Raiders released its first unofficial depth chart on Monday, just a few days prior to the team's preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Friday.
With four-plus weeks left in the preseason, position battles will determine how the depth chart shapes out before the start of the regular season.
The mark of a good roster can usually be determined by the number of battles at important positions. For the first time in a while, Oakland is set at quarterback, wide receiver, left tackle, linebacker and corner.
For the most part, the Raiders have a good idea as to who will start the season at each position, but there are a small handful of question marks which will be determined in the coming weeks.
Here are five position battles to watch throughout training camp:
1. Right Tackle - Menelik Watson vs. Austin Howard
This position battle isn't anything new for the Raiders. The two offensive linemen battled for the same spot last year before an Achilles injury ended Watson's season.
Howard started in 13 games for the Raiders last season, but is named as the backup on the first unofficial depth chart for the coming season.
Watson, the listed starter, has been an intriguing piece in the Raiders organization since he joined the team 2013. He grew up in Manchester, England before playing his college ball at Florida State.
The Raiders organization has shown a lot of faith in Watson, but his injuries has regularly kept him off the field.
2. Defensive Tackle - Justin Ellis vs. Jihad Ward vs. Dan Williams
With the Raiders typically running with two defensive tackles at once, Ellis, Ward and Williams are battling for both starting positions.
The three tackles will most likely rotate throughout the season, but the majority of the snaps should go to whomever wins the two starting spots.
Ward is a second round pick out of Illinois from this year's draft and has already impressed the coaching staff enough to be slotted in the second tackle position on the first depth chart.
Ellis and Williams split time last season on the defensive line, and should continue to do the same this season.
All three will receive playing time, but the order on the depth chart is up for grabs in training camp.
3. Tight End - Lee Smith vs. Clive Walford vs. Mychal Rivera
Smith is listed as the starting tight end on the first unofficial depth chart, but Walford and Rivera are both better pass catchers.
Walford had the best year receiving last season compared to the other two tight ends. He went for 329 yards and three touchdowns. Those aren't incredible numbers by any means, but he showed potential in his rookie season.
Smith, primarily known as a blocker, only had 70 yards receiving.
Depending on whether the Raiders have a running or passing game plan for any given week, it will most likely determine who will get the majority of the playing time.
Rivera is better receiver than blocker, but Walford should end up ahead of Rivera on the depth chart.
4. Full Back - Jamize Olawale vs. Marcel Reece
The position for full back is one of the more interesting battles for the Raiders.
Reece has been a pro bowl full back and the team's starter for the last six seasons. However, he will be suspended for the first three games of the regular season after testing positive for PEDs last season.
Olawale played well when given the opportunities in 2015.
Reece will practice with the team throughout training camp and the preseason, but Olawale will be the starting fullback for the Raiders during the first three games.
Olawale will have the preseason and the first three games to impress the Raiders' coaches. If he does, Reece could see his role diminish from years past.
5. Second String Running Back - Taiwan Jones vs. DeAndre Washington
Washington is one of the more intriguing players from this year's draft. He was drafted in the fifth round to be a change of pace back after Latavius Murray.
He is only 5-foot-8, but his quickness and agility are the two attributes the Raiders are looking forward to see on the field.
Jones has a similar skill set, but he hasn't quite lived up to his potential. He is entering his sixth year in the league, but he may only see the field as a returner if he doesn't impress as a running back during the preseason.
Washington and Jones are not only battling for the back up running back position, but their play could also determine who the starting kick returner will be as well.
