Oakland Raiders 5 Biggest Training Camp Battles for 2014

Jun 10, 2014; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback Keith McGill (39) at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#5- Cornerbacks

There are 10 listed CB’s on the Oakland Raiders roster currently, and those 10 will be vying for 6 spots.  With the talent at the Safety position this year, the CB’s could even by fighting for 5 spots.  Of the 10 players on the roster, I can identify four players who have the best shot at making the roster right now.  Those four are D.J. Hayden (#25), Carlos Rogers (#27), Tarell Brown (#23), and Keith McGill (#39).

Hayden is a no brainer.  He was the #1 draft pick last year, and he will get at least one to two more years to prove himself worthy of that accolade.  With the added talent at the LB and DL positions, Hayden should have a chance to return to his form from his college days.

Rogers and Brown both signed 1-year make or break deals, but their deals were for a substantial amount of money ($2.5 Million for Rogers and $3.5 Million for Brown).  Rogers was guaranteed $1 million and Brown was guaranteed $2 million, so I don’t see these two players being cut for any other reason than an injury clause in their contract.

McGill was drafted in the 4th round (#116 overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft, and he has been showing a lot of promise in Rookie Camp, OTA’s, and Mandatory Camp.  He’s a very hard-hitting CB who is tall and strong.  General Manager Reggie McKenzie and Head Coach Dennis Allen have both been really pleased with his progress, and I easily see him on the roster in 2014.  Not to mention the fact that I don’t think the Raiders want to have another wasted 4th rounder on the practice squad.

Taiwan Jones (#22) is another candidate to make the team, but that may be more for his ability as a gunner on Special Teams.  Following him, there would only be one position left, and that will be a battle between T.J. Carrie (#38) (2014 NFL Draft, 7th Round pick, #219 overall), Chance Casey (#37), Chimdi Chekwa (#35), Neiko Thorpe (#31), and Jansen Watson (#43) (undrafted rookie).  Truthfully, I think that Carrie and Casey both have the best chance to make the team.  Chekwa has never really played up to his potential, Thorpe is a practice squad player hoping to make the team, and Watson is a very raw undrafted rookie.