Defense
Maurice Hurst Jr., DT
Hurst is going to end up being the biggest steal of the 2018 NFL Draft, and you can book that. He has looked like a man amongst boys during camp already, and by the time the team hosts the Rams in Week 1, he will be fully entrenched as a starter along the Raiders defensive line.
With Oakland moving to Paul Guenther’s 4-3 scheme this season, Hurst will be starting on the inside with Justin Ellis. He has a tremendous set of skills, and could be a dark horse for defensive Rookie of the Year honors before all is said and done.
P.J. Hall, DT
Hall began training camp on the PUP list, but he was activated on Wednesday. He has the talent to provide depth at the defensive tackle position in year one, and the Raiders are going to be very happy with what they got with their second round pick in April. Look for him to get plenty of playing time as a rookie.
Arden Key, Edge
An early training camp star, Arden Key has the kind of skill set that you just cannot teach. You can be sure Guenther is going to find ways to utilize his edge rushing skills in year one, and with playing time, he could be a guy who racks up 5-8 sacks in 2018, all while serving as a backup defensive end.
Azeem Victor, LB
The Raiders have little depth at the middle linebacker position, giving Victor a very good opportunity to make this team this summer. Victor was a dominant player during his time with the Washington Huskies, and I like him to break camp with the team on the 53-man roster headig into Week 1.
Jason Cabinda, LB
Cabinda signed as an undrafted free agent back in May, after a stellar career at Penn State. He is not going to make the active roster after camp, but could be a guy who hangs on with the practice squad.
Dallin Leavitt, S
The Raiders certainly need help at the safety position, and it is a position group that is wide open this summer. However, guys like Erik Harris and Marcus Gilchrist are going to make the team before Leavitt, so his run in the Silver and Black will not be long.
Nick Nelson, CB
A fourth round pick of the Raiders back in April, Nelson is a player I am very excited about. He has tremendous coverage skills, and will definitely make the team out of camp. The cornerback position has not been a strength for the Raiders, but Nelson is a guy who will give them solid depth in year one.