As the Raiders entered their second week of training camp, the franchise’s rebuild had started to take shape. As the week went on, it became more clear which players were in the lead for some starting positions, and others staked their claim to a roster spot on the fringe of the roster.
Sure, star wide receiver Antonio Brown was nowhere to be found for much of the week. He reportedly saw a medical specialist for his sore feet, keeping him out of the action.
But his starting position will be waiting for him when he returns. For others, each day at camp becomes increasingly important. Here are the winners and losers from the Raiders’ second week in Napa.
Winner: RB Josh Jacobs
The Raiders drafted running back Josh Jacobs in the first round to take charge in the backfield and become a reliable playmaker. But coach Jon Gruden is making him earn it.
So far, so good. The rookie from Alabama had an especially productive second week of training camp — even when the pads went on.
Here he is flying over the pile during goal line practice on August 6, just before the Rams came to town for a joint practice.
A couple days before this highlight, Gruden was already impressed and explained why.
“He’s got all the things you’re looking for,” Gruden said to reporters August 4. “He can catch. He can block. He’s tough. He’s got breakaway speed. He’s got all the things I’m looking for but he’s gotta put it all together. And when he does, I think he’s got a chance to be a feature back, and a good one, in the NFL. He’s on the right track.”
Perhaps most encouraging is Gruden’s satisfaction with Jacobs’ blocking. If he’s to stay on the field as much as the Raiders would like, he’ll have to stop oncoming linebackers in pass protection. The real test will come in the preseason, but all of the news regarding Jacobs was positive during Week 2 of camp.
Winner: WR Hunter Renfrow
In preparation for practice with the Rams, the Raiders released their first depth chart of the season. Sitting atop the list of slot wide receivers was none other than Hunter Renfrow, Oakland’s fifth-round pick out of Clemson.
According to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, what was supposed to be a contest in the slot has turned into a runaway victory for Renfrow. Veteran WR Ryan Grant was expected to challenge or take the lead outright but has been left in the rookie’s wake.
If the Raiders can turn a low draft pick into a productive offensive player, that’s a huge win. That must be why Gruden called Renfrow a “great pick.” The man with the sticky hands must continue to impress through the preseason, however. If he does, he’ll become a steal for Oakland.
Winner: TE Foster Moreau
The Raiders tight end position is settled up top, with Darren Waller impressing mightily at camp since the first practice. Behind him, however, there is at least one spot up for grabs.
Rookie TE Foster Moreau is listed as the backup tight end behind Waller on Oakland’s initial depth chart, ahead of veteran TE Derek Carrier, and that’s a huge win for the LSU product.
Gruden is impressed with his blocking, and the scouting report on Moreau is that he may have been underutilized in college. At 6-foot-4 and 253 pounds with an impressive 4.66-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, that could very well be the case for the fourth-round pick.
He’ll have to hold off Carrier for the second-string position and be aware that veteran TE Luke Wilson and hungry underdog, TE Paul Butler, are gunning for him, so he can’t be satisfied with the depth chart just yet. But the coaches are clearly impressed with Moreau.
Loser: CB Nevin Lawson
Cornerback Nevin Lawson had a bad week. On August 5, he announced he’ll be suspended the first four games of the regular season for testing positive for a banned substance.
It’s a hit to the Raiders as well. But the club drafted two cornerbacks in Trayvon Mullen and Isaiah Johnson. Second-year CB Nick Nelson is also still fighting for playing time. In fact, you can count those three as winners during Week 2, simply due to Lawson’s situation.
Gruden hasn’t commented on the issue just yet, as the news isn’t official. But if Lawson can’t suit up, he could very well be left behind.
A big loss for Raider Nation: Cliff Branch
On Saturday, August 3, the Raiders franchise and fans suffered a loss that extends beyond the game of football. Legendary wide receiver, Cliff Branch passed away unexpectantly, just two days after his birthday. He was 71 years old.
Branch played on all three of the Raiders’ Super Bowl-winning teams, and he retired as the NFL leader in career playoff receptions and yards. A former track star at Colorado, Branch cemented the Raiders’ reputation for taking large chunks of yardage at a moments notice, defying conventional wisdom.
Gruden honored Branch by showing the team a highlight reel of the three-time, first-team All-Pro. And several Raiders, led by quarterback Derek Carr, donned Branch jersey number, 21, the day after he passed.
Winner: WR Marcel Ateman
Branch loved Raiders football more than perhaps anything, so here’s one more winner: a wide receiver, in honor of Cliff, one of the greatest to ever lace ’em up at that position.
Second-year WR Marcell Ateman started slowly in Napa, yielding much of the attention at the bottom of the depth chart to an undrafted rookie, Keelan Doss. Doss has been praised by Gruden for his ability to play all three WR positions.
But Ateman has come on strong, according to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur. The depth chart tells the same story, with Ateman listed right behind starting WR Tyrell Williams, well ahead of Doss.
While Doss is versatile, Ateman is especially skilled as a possession-type WR, using his body positioning to gain an advantage over his defender. Gruden loves versatility, but sometimes the ability to perform one skill extremely well can be valuable, too. Especially if the rest of the WR group isn’t adept in that area.
The Raiders continue to roll toward the regular season, with joint practices with the Rams ahead of their preseason game against LA on August 10. Every player, even the Week 2 winners, have a lot to prove during the weeks ahead.
The Raiders could big winners, too, in regards to their rookie class. Not only are Jacobs and Renfrow expected to play big roles, with Moreau poised to be the team’s blocking TE, but rookie defenders, defensive end Clelin Ferrell and safety Johnathan Abram figure make an impact. Additionally, Mullen is knocking on the door and could be one play away from starting.
Defensive end Maxx Crosby is another young player the Raiders’ front office, and its fans, can’t wait to see in action against the Rams. The franchise and its followers may have to wait longer for Antonio Brown’s return, however.
But the team is working hard to make sure they’re ready for the new campaign, regardless of Brown’s health. If the Raiders thrive without him, Brown’s All-Pro services may seem like a bonus when he finally takes the field. And that would bode extremely well for Oakland’s chances during its last season in the Bay Area, and for the future as well.
