2018 Raiders: 5 players who need a strong training camp
Arden Key
Of all the rookies the Raiders drafted, I am most excited to watch Arden Key this season. Key is already establishing himself as a force during OTAs and minicamp so far. He’s gaining admiration from his peers and coaches, so Key needs to ride the lightning into training camp and so on.
Bruce Irvin is taking Key on as his mentor, which will benefit him tremendously. Key can literally be the key to unlocking the help for Khalil Mack.
The last two seasons we have seen Mack do it all by himself and while it has been mesmerizing to watch we shouldn’t expect that out of him every game. His teammates need to step up. Bruce Irvin has been a late bloomer for the Raiders. His numbers spike once the season passes the halfway mark.
Other than Irvin, no one else has distinguished themselves as a play maker.
Raiders OL coach Tom Cable on rookie DE Arden Key: “He’s got so much hand speed and quickness.” Exciting talent, he said. Likened him to Bruce Irvin.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) June 14, 2018
Key is in a position to transition being a force in camp to being a force on Sundays. Opposing offenses will be closely accounting for Mack and Irvin, so Key will be in a lot of one on one situations. He’s been winning a fair amount this offseason and it needs to continue come training camp and so on.
Next: Projecting Raiders 53-man roster after minicamp
A strong outing in training camp will force the coaches to give Key the bulk of the reps in preseason, thus getting him prepped for the regular season. It’s not common for a rookie like Key to be presented with such an opportunity to standout. Raider nation would be wise to keep their eye on Arden Key because he has the potential to be a stud out of the gate.