Oakland Raiders Top 5: Early Training Camp Battles

Aug 2, 2015; Napa, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio at training camp at the Napa Valley Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Training camp is well underway in Oakland, and in turn, position battles have begun and the intensity of practice has strengthened.

“The intensity was turned up today,” Jerry Knaak, Senior Editor for Raiders.com said after the players had finished their second day in a row earlier this week. “The players hit harder and the sound of the pads popping was louder.”

With few roles on Oakland’s roster guaranteed to one individual, training camp battles are beginning to emerge all along the depth chart. While several players are looking to catapult themselves into a starting role, competition deep down the depth chart is also beginning to strengthen.

Multiple first-year prospects are already finding themselves in a position to secure crucial roles on the offensive side of the ball, as the trend of veterans fighting to remain ahead of Oakland’s talented youth continues to be an element of the early training camp battles.

Here are five of the most competitive position battles that are making their presence known early in training camp.

Next: Camp Battles: Keith McGill vs. DJ Hayden