Oakland Raiders training camp: 5 pleasant surprises

Oakland Raiders. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Oakland Raiders. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 10: ChrisWarren #34 of the Oakland Raiders carries the ball against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter of an NFL preseason football game at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 10: ChrisWarren #34 of the Oakland Raiders carries the ball against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter of an NFL preseason football game at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Depth at running back

Marshawn Lynch was brought out of retirement last season to be the featured back in the Raiders offense, and towards the end of the season, he was finally hitting his stride. This year, he has come into camp ready to work, and based on the speed he showed on his called-back 60-yard touchdown run on Friday night, he has not lost a step.

The Raiders signed Doug Martin as a free agent this offseason to be the No. 2 running back, and he has looked very good since putting on the Silver and Black. Originally, it was supposed to be Jalen Richard vs. DeAndre Washington for that third running back spot on the roster, but a third challenger has emerged, and is making it hard for the Raiders not to keep him around.

With the way he is playing, Chris Warren III has a legitimate shot to not only make the Raiders 53-man roster, but slide in as the No. 2 back behind Lynch. He has been a head-turner so far this summer, and based on his size and speed, is going to be a devastating back at the next level.

Next. Raiders 53-man projection after preseason opener. dark

So there you have it, five pleasant surprises for the Raiders so far this summer. There is a ton of football left to be played, including three preseason games, and with no cuts until the 53-man roster is released, all 90 guys are going to have their opportunities to win over this coaching staff the rest of the way.