2018 Oakland Raiders training camp: Top-10 storylines

By Brad Weiss | Aug 17, 2018

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 10: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sidelines against the Detroit Lions in the second 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) /

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The rookies impress

This rookie class was laughed at by the experts when the Raiders finished up the 2018 NFL Draft, but nobody is laughing anymore. Each rookie selected in that draft has taken major steps forward this summer, and against the Lions, some downright shined in their NFL debut.

Defensive tackles PJ Hall and Maurice Hurst Jr. got incredible push up the middle, and will add so much depth to that position group in 2018. First rounder Kolton Miller got the start at left tackle, and even with Donald Penn returning, he could stay on the left side in year one.

Guys like Marcell Ateman and Eddy Pineiro also shined last Friday, and for Ateman, he will need to continue to grow if he is going to make the team. Arden Key was held out of the game, but he has proven to be electric during camp, and we should get our first look at him tonight. Finally, cornerback Nick Nelson was tested often against the Lions, and absolutely dominated, looking like a steal in the fourth round.

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