Oakland Raiders: 5 Things To Keep An Eye On In First Preseason Game

Dec 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback T.J. Carrie (38) knocks down a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) in the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

How Does the Secondary Hold Up?

The secondary has been a point of conversation and incredible angst all summer long. Or at least, ever since GM Reggie McKenzie let veterans Carlos Rogers – who didn’t do much for the Raiders last season – and Tarell Brown – who actually did a pretty good job overall for Oakland last season – walk away as free agents.

On the heels of that, McKenzie announced that the corners were going to be held down by third year corner D.J. Hayden, and a pair of second year men in Travis Carrie and Keith McGill. Of course, the team does also have James Dockery, Chimdi Chekwa, Neiko Thorpe, and this year’s seventh rounder, Dexter McDonald listed on the depth chart, so the team has some bodies – they’re just bodies without a lot of experience.

But McKenzie and HC Jack Del Rio seem to have made it clear that the top three spots belong to Hayden, Carrie,and McGill. The question is who will be the starting tandem and who will be the starting nickel corner.

Though all three have showed tremendous potential and talent, all three also have their limitations – the biggest of course, being their lack of experience. Hayden’s durability is also a huge question mark as he has missed significant time – 14 of 32 games – in his first two seasons.

All three may see a little more time on the field against the St. Louis Rams as Del Rio and the coaching staff try to figure out what they have and how to configure it for the regular season.

Next: Who's the Next Man in the Rotation?