Ranking the Oakland Raiders Training Camp Roster: 50-41

Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Taiwan Jones (22) warms up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Taiwan Jones (22) warms up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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November 15, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs with the football against Oakland Raiders strong safety Nate Allen (20) during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 30-14. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 15, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs with the football against Oakland Raiders strong safety Nate Allen (20) during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 30-14. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

46. Nate Allen

Nate Allen’s 2015 season with the Oakland Raiders came with high expectations as the ball-hawking safety headed to the Black Hole from the Eagles on a big money deal with the reputation of being a playmaker.

Unfortunately for Allen, an injury suffered during Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals completely derailed his first season with the Raiders. An MCL sprain forcing Allen out of the lineup for the majority of the season and when he came back later in the season he wasn’t as effective as expected. Likely due to the injury as Allen could never recover from the unfortunate setback.

A poor 2015 forced the Raiders to make the tough decision to cut Allen’s non-guaranteed contract this winter, but the veteran safety decided to remain with the team at a discount. Now back to where he started, Allen is going to have to prove to the NFL he is still a top-level option if he wants another big contract. If he can make a comeback from a disappointing 2015, the Raiders secondary could be dangerous.

– Chase Ruttig