With free agency and the draft completed, and OTAs and minicamps scheduled for the next month and a half, here’s a closer look at the depth chart for the Oakland Raiders (starters in bold):
OFFENSE
Quarterback (4): Derek Carr, EJ Manuel, Connor Cook, Josh Johnson
How will Carr respond to Jon Gruden's old-school coaching ways? And don’t be surprised if Johnson beats out Cook, or if Cook and Johnson beat out Manuel.
Running back (4): Marshawn Lynch, Doug Martin, DeAndre Washington, Jalen Richard
Beast Mode, Chucky. Chucky, Beast Mode. And if Martin still has something in the tank, think Tyrone Wheatley and Napoleon Kaufman when it comes to Lynch and Martin.
Fullback (1): Keith Smith
Gruden loves him some fullbacks. For Smith, think Jon Ritchie 2.0. Keep an eye on UDFA Nick Sharga.
Wide receiver (5): Amari Cooper, Jordy Nelson, Martavis Bryant, Ryan Switzer, Marcell Ateman
Consider this: Cooper and Bryant on the outside with the precision route-running of Nelson in the slot. Ateman, a seventh-round draft pick, is a red-zone target and Switzer returns kicks while Seth Roberts is a trade/release candidate.
Tight end (3): Jared Cook, Lee Smith, Derek Carrier
Cook is the pass-catcher, Smith is the blocking grinder and Carrier does a bit of both.
Tackle (4): Donald Penn, Breno Giacomini, Kolton Miller, Brandon Parker
Penn is recovering from Lisfranc surgery, is being investigated for domestic violence and will be challenged by first-round draft pick Miller, who might also be in the running for the starting right tackle gig with free-agent signee Giacomini. Parker is a third-round pick.
Guard (2): Kelechi Osemele, Gabe Jackson
Osemele is one of the best in the game at left guard and Jackson is not far behind on the right side.
Center (2): Rodney Hudson, Jon Feliciano
Hudson is Gruden’s favorite O-lineman with the way he gets downfield to block, and Feliciano can also play either guard position.
DEFENSE
Cornerback (5): Rashaan Melvin, Gareon Conley, Daryl Worley, Leon Hall, Shareece Wright
So much depends upon Conley’s shin injury and his recovery from surgery. And while there is depth and potential here -- keep an eye on fourth-round pick Nick Nelson, who is recovering from surgery on a meniscus in his knee -- there’s not a lot of staying power.
Safety (4): Karl Joseph, Marcus Gilchrist, Obi Melifonwu, Shalom Luani
Where’s last year’s starting free safety Reggie Nelson? He knows new defensive coordinator Paul Guenther’s system and if Nelson makes the team, he’s the starter, and something would be wrong with that picture.
Linebacker (7): Nicholas Morrow, Derrick Johnson, Tahir Whitehead, Marquel Lee, Emmanuel Lamur, Kyle Wilber, Azeem Victor
The addition of Johnson at middle linebacker seemingly makes the return of NaVorro Bowman a non-issue. But is Morrow really ready to be a starter at weakside linebacker in a 4-3 base defense?
Defensive line (9): Khalil Mack, Maurice Hurst, Justin Ellis, Bruce Irvin, James Cowser, P.J. Hall, Tank Carradine, Arden Key, Mario Edwards Jr.
The Raiders finally got Mack some help with an interior push in the form of fifth-rounder Hurst and second-rounder Hall and by moving Irvin from OLB to DE. Last year’s starting DT Eddie Vanderdoes is recovering from a torn ACL.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter (1): Johnny Townsend
The fifth-round draft pick will have big shoes to fill with Marquette King released. Townsend was second in the FBS with a 47.5-yard gross average last season and had 27 punts inside the 20-yard line with five touchbacks and 13 fair catches forced.
Kicker (1): Giorgio Tavecchio
Tavecchio will be threatened by undrafted big-legged rookie Eddy Piñeiro, especially since the Raiders drafted his holder in Townsend.
Long snapper (1): Andrew DePaola
Signed to replace longtime fan favorite Jon Condo.
Kick returner (1): Dwayne Harris
The free-agent signee returned kicks for new special-teams coach Rich Bisaccia in Dallas. Harris is averaging 26.1 yards per return in his seven-year career.
Punt returner (1): Ryan Switzer
He was acquired from the Cowboys in a draft weekend trade and also has experience with Bisaccia. Switzer averaged 8.8 yards per punt return on 29 returns as a rookie last season and is also listed as a WR.