Year No. 2 will be crucial for several of the Raiders 2018 draft class

The Oakland Raiders added some solid talent during the 2018 NFL Draft, and for some of the players, this will be a crucial second season.

During the 2018 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders brought in a bunch of guys who were expected to step right in and play immediately as rookies. While some of those players had fantastic years, like Maurice Hurst along the defensive line, some members of that class will have to continue to fight if they are going to remain a part of the process with the Raiders.

Here are five members of that 2018 NFL Draft class that need to have a solid summer, and sophomore campaign in 2019.

P.J. Hall (Round 2, Pick No. 57)

P.J. Hall, like Maurice Hurst, had a solid first season in the NFL, but will need to continue to grow as a player if he is going to be a part of the answer in Oakland. It looks like the Raiders will start Hurst and Johnathan Hankins on the inside of Paul Guenther’s 4-3 scheme, and with guys like Justin Ellis and a healthy Eddie Vanderdoes within the position group as well, Hall needs to have a solid summer to remain part of the rotation.

Brandon Parker (Round 3, Pick No. 65)

During the 2018 NFL season, Brandon Parker was thrown into the fire, and he should have no way been a member of the Raiders starting offensive line. However, he has come into Year No. 2 with some added weight, and strength, and it is a good thing he will not have to start in 2019, as the Raiders revamped the position by signing Super Bowl champion Trent Brown to play on the right side.

Nick Nelson (Round 4, Pick No. 110)

Nick Nelson struggled to get on the field due to injury in 2018, but when he was on the field, he did show some flashes that he could be a legitimate cornerback at the NFL level. Unfortunately for Nelson, the Raiders have taken a hard look at this position this offseason, and after bringing in guys like Lamarcus Joyner and Trayvon Mullen, he may not have a true spot within this defensive backfield in Year No. 2.

Johnny Townsend (Round 5, Pick No. 173)

To say that Johnny Townsend struggled in his first season as the punter in Oakland would be an understatement, and he is someone to definitely keep an eye on this summer. The team has already brought in some competition early in spring, and if he struggles during the summer, Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden are not going to hesitate to sign someone to be the punter in 2019.

Marcell Ateman (Round 7, Pick No. 228)

With all of the additions at the wide receiver position this offseason, it is going to be hard for Marcell Ateman to head out of camp as a member of the 53-man roster. However, he showed as a rookie that he has no problem going up and making tough catches, and if he does not begin on the active roster, the Raiders have to be hoping they can keep him around on the practice squad for another season.