In just a few months, the Oakland Raiders will be headed to training camp as they prepare for the 2019 season. And with a much-improved roster, there are going to be a handful of positions that will need to be sorted out.
Here are the five camp battles to watch as the Raiders head into minicamp and then training camp in July.
STRONG SAFETY: KARL JOSEPH VS. JOHNATHAN ABRAM
Arguably the biggest and most talented camp battle for the Raiders in 2019 will be between safeties Karl Joseph and Johnathan Abram. Both are hard-hitting, undersized safeties who were selected in the first round.
Joseph has struggled with injuries throughout his career, but his 2018 season was by far his best. Playing closer to the line of scrimmage, Joseph was a force in the second half of the season. But with the Raiders declining his fifth-year option, it appears that his starting job may no longer be safe.
Instead, look for Abram, the team’s pick at No. 27 overall to take his job. Like Joseph, Abram struggles as a deep safety but can be missile flying to the ball in the run game. Look for Oakland to give Abram every opportunity to win the job in camp.
PROJECTED WINNER: JOHNATHAN ABRAM
LINEBACKER: VONTAZE BURFICT VS. TAHIR WHITEHEAD
The Raiders didn’t select an off-the-ball linebacker in the 2019 NFL draft, meaning that two veterans are likely to compete for a starting spot next season. With Brandon Marshall likely starting inside at middle linebacker, that leaves Burfict and Whitehead competing for the other starting job.
Burfict has struggled to stay on the field throughout his career, missing at least five games in each of the past five seasons. Whether it be due to suspensions or injuries, we just haven’t seen a ton of Burfict as of late.
Whitehead, on the other hand, has been a model of consistency. He’s missed just one start in his career and has played in 109 career games in seven years. He’s not quite as dynamic as Burfict, but he is reliable.
However, expect Paul Guenther to give Burfict every chance to win the starting job. He’s just the more talented player and Guenther knows how to get the most out of him.
PROJECTED WINNER: VONTAZE BURFICT
DEFENSIVE TACKLE: P.J. HALL VS JOHNATHAN HANKINS
One of the under-the-radar battles to watch will happen at defensive tackle next to Maurice Hurst. Veteran Johnathan Hankins will try to hold off second-year player P.J. Hall as the one-technique in Oakland’s defense.
Hankins was signed by the Raiders after the first week of the season and went on to start 14 games for Oakland. In 2018, Hankins graded out as the team’s second-best interior defensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s still one of the league’s best run defenders and a fantastic fit next to Hurst.
Hall, on the other hand, has a much higher ceiling than Hankins. Hall is an elite athlete who flashed the ability as a rookie to rush the passer and stop the run. With more experience, he should grow into a full-time starter.
It’s also worth noting that Justin Ellis and Eddie Vanderdoes could also factor into this competition, but expect Oakland to let Hall start the season as the one technique next to Hurst.
PROJECTED WINNER: P.J. HALL
TIGHT END: DEREK CARRIER VS LUKE WILLSON
After Jared Cook left for New Orleans via free agency, it left a hole for the Raiders at tight end. The team drafted Foster Moreau from LSU on the third day of the draft, but he isn’t likely to contribute much as a rookie. Instead, look for veterans Derek Carrier and Luke Willson to compete for the starting job.
Both are excellent blockers, but Willson is the more athletic of the two. He’s also the more proven receiver and is likely the favorite to start the season as TE1.
PROJECTED WINNER: LUKE WILLSON
RUNNING BACK: DEANDRE WASHINGTON VS CHRIS WARREN
One position with the most at stake could be at backup running back. For the most part, the top three are set with Josh Jacobs, Doug Martin, and Jalen Richard. After that, there could be an exciting competition regarding the team’s final roster spot.
DeAndre Washington made the roster in 2016 as a fifth-round selection and impressed ever since. He’s averaged 4.2 yards per carry and is efficient in the receiving game. However, he just doesn’t have the size or power to be an every-down running back in the NFL. While he contributes on special teams, he just doesn’t do any one thing at an exceptionally high level.
One player who could take his spot on the roster is 2018 UDFA Chris Warren, who led all running backs in rushing yards during the preseason. Unlike Washington, Warren is massive (260 pounds) and has shown the ability to be an asset in the passing game as well.
Warren has the higher upside and was well on his way to making the team before suffering a knee injury last season. Assuming he is healthy, look for him to make the roster over Washington in 2019.
PROJECTED WINNER: CHRIS WARREN
