August 1, 2012; Napa, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Kaelin Burnett (57) and linebacker Chad Kilgore (47) participate in drills during training camp at the Napa Valley Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

The draft is over and now fans must ride out the Summer without football. A little news here, a little news there, but other than another Rolando McClain arrest, the off-season is as boring as (fill in the blank) crime show on CBS.

So speculation ensues and what better to speculate on than the many intriguing camp battles residing in Oakland. Shall we start at quarterback?

QB - In my opinion this is the biggest camp battle in the NFL. Forget that GM Reggie McKenzie has claimed Matt Flynn as the presumable starter. This could go any way.

What started off as Terrell Pryor vs. Matt Flynn, now includes the once sought after draft prospect, Tyler Wilson. The former Razorback (say hello Darren McFadden) has been compared to the likes of Brett Favre. His accuracy and general throwing ability is hampered by his poor foot work and tendency to throw before setting up. Something that can quickly be changed in the NFL. If Matt Flynn and Terrell Pryor under perform, this kid will definitely see the field.

Predicted Outcome:

1 – Matt Flynn 2 – Tyler Wilson 3 – Terrell Pryor (also sees the field in wildcat role)

OT – The Raiders offensive line isn’t great. However, they aren’t horrible either. Jared Veldheer and Stefen Wisnewski are two bright spots that stick out. Khalif Barnes and Mike Brisiel stick out as well, but for all the wrong reasons.

Enter Menelik Watson. The raw offensive tackle has a very high ceiling to say the least. In his rookie season he could indeed replace either Brisiel or Barnes. In fact it may even be his job to lose.

Predicted Outcome:

1 – Menelik Watson 2 – Khalif Barnes

RB – No question here Darren McFadden starts. Of course if he is healthy (fingers crossed). But what about the backup running back. Rashad Jennings rushed close to 1000 yards backing up Maurice Jones-Drew in Jacksonville. Can he produce that well for the Raiders?

Nov 4, 2012; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Rashad Jennings (23) runs past Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch (55) during the first half of the game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Not if Latavius Murray can produce more. The late round draft pick also has a great amount of upside. Standing taller than most backs with a hard nose yet deadly burst of speed running style, he reminds scouts of Darren McFadden. Big shoes to fill kid. Hey if it doesn’t work out, one can always become a corner in Oakland just ask Taiwan Jones.

Predicted Outcome:

1 – Darren McFadden 2 – Rashad Jennings 3 – Latavius Murray

WR – Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford are without doubt Oakland’s premier pass catchers. This battle resides in the number three spot (not necessarily slot receiver, but the third primary target of Oakland’s plays)

Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad wide receiver Conner Vernon of Duke (82) prior to kickoff of a game against the Senior Bowl north squad at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Rod Streater was an undrafted free agent out of Temple and took advantage of his chance. He will compete with Duke’s Conner Vernon, another undrafted free agent. Vernon possesses quickness and an ability to work out of the slot. This kid could be the next Streater.

Predicted Outcome:

1 – Denarius Moore 2 – Jacoby Ford 3 – Conner Vernon 4 – Rod Streater 5 -Sam McGuffie 6 – Juron Criner

Oakland could go any way with their tight ends. This is really a battle of low quality players. If David Ausberry improves his run blocking the job is his (hit the weight room). The same goes for rookie Mychal Rivera who displays amazing hands. If these two guys can’t get physical, rookie Nick Kasa will. (reminds me of Brandon Meyers)

Predicted Outcome:

1 – Nick Kasa 2 – David Ausberry 3 – Mychal Rivera (look for Rivera to get his opportunities)

NCB – D.J. Hayden and Mike Jenkins most likely will line up at one and two for the Raider’s corner backs. The nickel back however could play out any way.

Tracy Porter made appearances in a Pro-Bowl due to his skill at nickel back (struggled starting in Denver). This should be his job to lose. However, Joselio Hanson did a very nice job last season stepping in for a depleted roster. If he works his tail off in camp he might reap the benefits. Also don’t forget about Mr. Taiwan Jones.

Predicted Outcome:

1 – Tracy Porter 2 – Joselio Hanson 3 – Taiwan Jones

Well those are the most heated battles going into camp. Until than Raider Nation has plenty to be hopeful for. I for one am not giving up on this season and jumping on the 2014 campaign bandwagon.

Give me some feedback on who you guys think will turn heads in camp!

Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

Training camp is just around the corner. While most of the populace is still grinding through the end of the summer there will be 90 men in Napa sweating it out for 53 roster spots.

From a distance it would appear as if the majority of the roster is already set. The reality is any and every man has something to prove especially considering this is a new era of Raiders football. Outside of the heavy hitters like Darren McFadden, Carson Palmer, Richard Seymour, Tyvon Branch, Sebastian Janikowski, Shane Lechler and a few others most every job, position and role is up for grabs. Here’s a look at the best camp battles to keep an eye on.

5) Right Tackle – It’s the position that the Raiders have pretty much ignored for nearly a decade it seems. That Khalif Barnes is the best of the bunch in years says it all. No disrespect to the penalty machine named Barnes but his value is only derived in how horrible it was watching Cornell Green and Kwame Harris play the position. Now he’s got some competition but even that’s not saying much as Joe Barksdale didn’t exactly wow anybody playing situationally as a rookie. None the less this gig is very much up for grabs and if Tony Bergstrom isn’t made into a full-time guard there’s even a chance he could put his name into the hat.

4) Backup QB – Really there isn’t much drama here…yet. Matt Leinart knows the offense, is familiar with Greg Knapp and is the perfect backup for Carson Palmer as he learns yet another new playbook. But Terrelle Pryor is hungry and has something to prove. He wasn’t drafted by McKenzie so you know he’s feeling the pressure. Plus, let’s not act like Leinart is some proven commodity in this league. He’s one bad camp away from being thrown back into the biggest bust debate. Like Khalif Barnes and the men he replaced, Leinart only looks good when compared to Kyle Boller. Pryor never got a chance to taste NFL action during his humbling rookie year which means there’s a 100% chance he does whatever it takes to be next in line behind Palmer. The odds are long but like I said, Leinart is a better-safe-than-sorry thrower who is on his last legs. For Pryor, the future is now.

3) Wide receiver – The top three spots are set. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford are Oakland’s most dangerous weapons in the passing game. However the roles of each of the aforementioned men are very much up in the air. DHB should have the inside track for the Z role with Moore taking the X and Ford in the slot at Y. But don’t think for a minute that can’t change with each passing day of camp. While those three men battle it out for their roles, Louis Murphy’s job is suddenly on the line. Oakland kept Eddie McGee around for a reason, there is some potential there. Drafting Juron Criner and seeing him go all Denarius Moore in OTAs only fuels the flames of Murphy being on the outs. If that wasn’t enough an undrafted rookie named Rod Streeter was also turning heads during the offseason program. This could easily be the best and most entertaining battle of all. Get your popcorn ready!

2) Backup Running Back – Being the man behind the man can be as important as being the man himself. Michael Bush proved that pretty often during his time in Oakland as he frequently filled in for Darren McFadden with almost no falloff in production. This year the job to be ready when called if (knocking on wood) Run DMC again falters is going to be critical. We’re all waiting for Taiwan Jones to breakout and announce himself as the Darren Sproles upgrade. But that’s going to take time. Jones could easily emerge as a premier weapon on passing downs so long as you’re not asking him to block. Being an NFL runner is much more than finding the hole, making a cut and then making a house call. You’ve got to do the dirty work too. Mike Goodson should be able to assist in blocking and short yardage situations but he’s got ball security issues. To add to this drama there has been plenty of talk of Cedric Benson potentially joining the ranks which would only make this battle all the more intense.

1) Cornerback – There is no position with more uncertainty on the roster. Ron Bartell and Shawntae Spencer are on one-year deals for a reason. McKenzie couldn’t afford to pay Stanford Routt the kind of coin Al Davis gave him and Chris Johnson was well past his best days. Both Spencer and Bartell are coming off of disappointing seasons filled with injury and inactivity. How well they will perform is anybody’s guess. So too are the prospects of DeMarcus Van Dyke and Chimdi Chekwa. Both men flashed some potential in their rookie seasons but neither played with any consistency and Chekwa was constantly dealing with injury issues. Michael Huff might get some work in the slot which means there will be plenty of ripe battles everyday and in everyway. This position was a serious weakness last season so you’d better believe all eyes will be on those lonely NFL islands.

Honorable Mention – Linebacker: Don’t look now but most every linebacker gig could be up for grabs. Rolando McClain’s uncertain future combined with the question marks of Aaron Curry and Philip Wheeler nothing is guaranteed. There isn’t much depth but Travis Goethel and rookie Nate Burris could get some looks at various positions.

One to Keep an Eye on – Tight End: This is a camp battle of a different variety. Between Brandon Myers, David Ausberry and Richard Gordon you have one very good tight end. Between the three of them you have a tight-end-by-committee that could end up being either the biggest surprise or biggest mess on the roster.