Oakland Raiders: 3 players poised to break out in 2019

The Oakland Raiders are less than two months away from kicking off their 2019 season. Let’s take a look at three players who should be considered breakout candidates this year.

The Oakland Raiders‘ 2019 season is fast approaching and it’s hard to believe that we’re less than two months away from Week 1. And with training camp set to kick-off and the preseason soon to follow, all eyes are on the Raiders to improve upon their 2018 campaign.

Fortunately, that shouldn’t be too difficult.

Oakland struggled to a 4-12 record last season and it’s safe to say that expectations are undoubtedly higher for the team going into this season. In fact, many fans are even hoping for a return to the postseason.

For that to happen, however, there are a number of players who must step up and outperform what they’ve done in the past. Luckily, the Raiders have a few young players who are just clamoring for the opportunity to truly break out.

The following is a list of three Raiders players who are best set up for a breakout 2019 campaign. Side note, a couple of honorable mentions go out to both P.J. Hall and Kolton Miller who each narrowly missed this list for completely different reasons.

Hall could struggle to find playing time in a loaded defensive interior while we’re not completely sold on Miller’s production.

Regardless, let’s take a look at the three players who did make the list.

3. Darren Waller — TE

The Raiders have been extremely proficient at using their tight ends over the last two seasons. Veteran Jared Cook found a nice role as quarterback Derek Carr‘s safety blanket putting together arguably the two best statistical seasons of his career.

Unfortunately, Cook is now gone and the Raiders didn’t exactly make a splash move to replace him.

Veteran Luke Willson was signed in free agency, journeyman Derek Carrier will return, and the team drafted rookie Foster Moreau in the fourth round. But the current name atop the depth chart is none other than Darren Waller.

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Waller has taken a very unconventional route to Oakland having originally played wide receiver while at Georgia Tech before eventually converting to tight end with the Baltimore Ravens.

The 2014 sixth-round pick struggled with injuries and multiple suspensions throughout the early portion of his career, but he’ll now be given every opportunity to win the starting job. Waller is a matchup nightmare with blazing speed and great size for the position.

The question remains if he could keep his head on straight, however.

Waller has a golden opportunity to not only earn the starting job, but to do so for a team that could maximize his abilities. Squandering this opportunity could signal the end of his tenure in the NFL.

But if he steps up and secures the starting spot, he could become the breakout tight end of 2019.