The first week of Raiders training camp is in the books, and coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock have finally laid eyes on the roster they constructed together.
So have the fans — some in person and others via great reporting from inside the training grounds. Soon, the entire NFL will get a look, when the Raiders are featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks.”
Gruden and Mayock — and the rest of the team — appear focused, however. Still, some players fared better than others. Here are the winners and losers from Week 1 of Raiders training camp in Napa.
Winner: QB Derek Carr
This is a big year for quarterback Derek Carr. He hasn’t impressed since his MVP-caliber performance in 2016, despite some solid stats. His contract will become more team-friendly after this season—for the first time since his 2016 deal, releasing Carr would not be a financial burden.
To top it off, Gruden has been known to treat quarterbacks like trading cards.
But Gruden said he came to Oakland in part because of Carr’s skill. The QB showed why during the first week of camp, displaying an accurate arm. Carr’s also looking to improve where he can; he’s practiced scrambling from the pocket more than ever. While that will never be his strength, in the West Coast offense, it’s a valuable tool.
He’s building camaraderie, too. Wide receiver J.J. Nelson, a newcomer to the club, had high praise for Carr.
He’ll need to perform once the action is live, but Carr knows the heat is on, and he’s playing like it thus far.
Winner: WR J.J. Nelson
Nelson said he wasn’t praising Carr to finagle more targets, but it couldn’t have hurt. The pint-sized speedster was facing an uphill, though not insurmountable battle heading into Napa.
At 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, Nelson owns a 4.28-second time in the 40-yard dash. He’s been learning every position in Gruden’s offense, as the coach demands of his wide receivers. Nelson has embraced the challenge and built rapport with his QB in the process.
But his strength is his speed. Carr hit him multiple times Sunday, most notably with a deep bomb as Nelson made a nice over-the-shoulder grab. It will be a big preseason for Nelson, but thus far, he’s taken advantage of WR Antonio Brown’s inactivity and he’s off to a hot start.
Winner: OT Kolton Miller
Offensive tackle Kolton Miller couldn’t have had a worse rookie season in 2018. He was injured in Week 4 against the Browns, but he started every game and allowed an enormous amount of sacks and pressures.
Miller responded by gaining weight in the offseason so he’d have more bulk to go with his athleticism. Now at about 325 pounds, up from about 300, it was evident early on Day 1 of camp that it will be tougher to move Miller in 2019.
Then when the pads came on, Miller had success against this year’s No. 1 draft choice, defensive end Clelin Ferrell.
Miller was last year’s first-round pick, and he simply has to play better than last year if the Raiders are to enjoy success. So far, so good.
Loser: DL P.J. Hall
Last season’s second-round pick, defensive lineman P.J. Hall, could be fighting for a roster spot already. He wasn’t helped by new offensive tackle Trent Brown during the first padded practice on Monday.
Hall already has draft-mate, DL Maurice Hurst, to compete with, and DT Johnathan Hankins looks to be a lock for the rotation inside. Justin Ellis is another proven defensive tackle, and the Raiders just signed former Rams defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks.
Hall has to impress in the preseason to convince Gruden and Mayock he wasn’t a second-round mistake. He flashed potential last season, however, and he needs to show well for himself.
Loser: DT Eddie Vanderdoes
One player Hall may not have to deal with is defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes. He missed practice time in Week 1 of camp with a concussion, after not suiting up at all in 2018 due to a knee injury.
A former third-round pick of former general manager Reggie McKenzie, Vanderdoes has a large challenge ahead of him, especially with all of the competition inside.
In order to answer the call, he’ll have to get on the field. Until he does that, it will be easy for Gruden to forget about him.
Loser: RB Chris Warren III
In what was a disappointment for many followers of the Raiders, running back Chris Warren was cut after just one day of training camp.
The big back was too big, with offensive coordinator Greg Olson saying Warren, incredibly, didn’t meet the team’s fitness standards. He bruised the opposition last preseason but won’t get the chance to this year. Hopefully, Warren can get in shape so he can reach his promise.
But Week 1 of training camp was overwhelmingly positive. Rookies impressed across the board, including undrafted fullback Alec Ingold. Wide receiver Tyrell Williams was a revelation, tight end Darren Waller looked video-game good at times, and Hankins was named the team’s most improved by Gruden.
Additionally, linebacker Vontaze Burfict’s command of the defense has helped players on that side of the ball focus on their assignments, which will be crucial in building that unit.
But Miller and his fellow offensive tackle, Trent Brown, give the most cause for optimism. Brown’s physicality has made an impact, and Miller’s added weight has resulted in added confidence.
With blocking from his bookends, Carr could possibly return to his MVP-caliber form from 2016. Preseason is still yet to come, but the Raiders’ build is taking shape.
