Oakland Raiders: Biggest Winners And Losers From Training Camp

Loser: Gareon Conley

Gareon Conley’s year got off to a bit of a rough start. But a Grand Jury, having declined to bring against him for charges of rape, have taken a huge load off his shoulders.

But that doesn’t mean things have gotten any easier for the first-round pick.

Conley hasn’t set foot on a practice field as he nurses an injury that might or might not be shin splints. Even worse is that he crossed swords with GM Reggie McKenzie – who went out on a limb drafting him in the first place – over the issue.

Conley has missed the entirety of camp, both exhibition games so far, and we have yet to get any indication of when (or if) he might be ready to play. Conley is losing valuable time on the field and with it, the chance to have an impact this season – at least, in the early stages of it.

Live Feed

FanSided

Given the well-documented struggles of Sean Smith as well as Travis Carries recent spate of “eye violations” that led to a horrific performance against the Rams, the Raiders are having some real issues out on the corners.

And if this defense hopes to improve – and they better if they want to achieve their lofty aspirations – they are going to need solid work out of their secondary.

Which means, they’re going to need their greatly hyped first-round pick to actually suit up and play.

Right now, the Raiders are very likely going to start Smith and David Amerson on the outside, with Carrie sliding into the slot role. And at the moment, you have to figure that Breon Borders has jumped ahead of Conley on the depth chart simply because he’s been available – and has played very, very well.

Conley has had a terrible start to his professional career, which lands him on the biggest losers of camp list. But in truth, to this point, the entire Raiders organization can be put into that losers column.

All they can do is cross their fingers and hope that when he is able to play, that he’s been worth the wait.