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Oakland Raiders: Top 3 position battles to watch in training camp

By Nico Di Fede

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Daryl Worley #20 of the Oakland Raiders reacts to a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 11, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Daryl Worley #20 of the Oakland Raiders reacts to a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 11, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens is tackled by linebacker Nicholas Morrow #50 of the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens is tackled by linebacker Nicholas Morrow #50 of the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

3. Outside Linebacker

While Vontaze Burfict seems to have the middle linebacker spot locked down due to his familiarity with Guenther and his defense, the outside spots are open with Nicholas Morrow, Tahir Whitehead, Brandon Marshall, and Marquel Lee fighting for those spots.

Morrow and Marshall fit more on the weak side due to their athleticism compared to the other two in Lee and Whitehead who fit more on the strong side as run-stopping, thumper backers.

While Morrow is nothing special, he is easily the fastest and most athletic of the linebacker group. And in today’s league, having a linebacker that is capable in coverage is more important than ever.

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For this reason, I see Morrow edging out the past-his-prime veteran in Marshall for the starting WILL spot.

The other side is tougher to judge as Whitehead came on towards the end of last season, while Lee has always been decent and is a lot younger.

Neither offers much in coverage, though Whitehead is more of a playmaker evidenced by the fact he had nine tackles for a loss in each of his past two seasons.

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On the other hand, Lee had only three and two in 2018 and 2017 respectively, on top of never recording an interception while Whitehead has gotten at least one in those years. For that reason, I believe Whitehead gets the nod.

Notable undrafted free agent Te’von Coney and returning backup Jason Cabinda also have slight chances. Though Coney is more of an inside linebacker, he could also play the strong side.

Cabinda can also play on the strong side but he’s a lot faster and more athletic than either Lee or Whitehead (which isn’t saying much, to be honest). It would not be surprising if he surpasses Lee on the depth chart as well, and maybe even starts at some point in the season as the coaching staff has been high on him since being here.

Prediction: WILL – Nicholas Morrow, MLB – Vontaze Burfict, SAM – Tahir Whitehead, LB – Jason Cabinda, LB – Brandon Marshall, LB – Marquel Lee, Notable cuts: Kyle Wilber, Te’von Coney (practice squad), James Cowser

Conclusion

Every year unfamiliar faces shine and guys you thought would shine don’t, so it will be interesting to see who steps up during training camp and preseason and who doesn’t.

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Given that the Raiders are “Hard Knocks” this season, we will have a front-row view of the whole thing as it unfolds.

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