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Oakland Raiders: Top 5 takeaways from Saturday’s preseason opener

By Justin Fried

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 10: Nathan Peterman #3 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates a touchdown with Keelan Doss #89 during their NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at RingCentral Coliseum on August 10, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 10: Nathan Peterman #3 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates a touchdown with Keelan Doss #89 during their NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at RingCentral Coliseum on August 10, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /
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Oakland Raiders
SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 30: Keon Hatcher #14 of the Oakland Raiders scores a 22 yard touchdown against Mike Tyson #24 of the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter during their preseason game at CenturyLink Field on August 30, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. Oakland Raiders (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

1. There will be some tough cuts at wide receiver

Perhaps no position group looked stronger for the Raiders on Saturday than the team’s wide receivers.

With both Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams sitting out of the preseason opener, the Raiders were able to see just what they have in their depth receivers. And it’s safe to say that the team is deeper at that position than they’ve been in years.

It wasn’t just one or two receivers that stood out either, it was nearly every receiver on the roster.

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Speedster J.J. Nelson showed off his impressive downfield ability making an acrobatic 38-yard catch on the Raiders very first drive. The former Arizona Cardinals receiver has an edge on the competition but is fighting for a roster spot this August.

But if he could continue to do things like this, the question should shift to just how much playing time he will receive.

Veteran Ryan Grant is another receiver fighting for a roster spot this August. And after being overshadowed by rookie Hunter Renfrow in training camp, the 28-year-old displayed the value he could bring from the slot hauling in three receptions for 32 yards.

Other standouts included 2018 preseason star Keon Hatcher who led the team in receiving with 45 yards on two catches, 2018 seventh-round pick Marcell Ateman who hauled in one pass for 19 yards, and undrafted rookie Keelan Doss who caught the team’s only passing touchdown.

With only two or three roster spots to fight for, the Raiders should have some very difficult cuts to make come September. The remaining three preseason games should give us a better idea of who is actually going to make the roster.

Next. Oakland Raiders: What on earth is going on with Antonio Brown?. dark

But for now, all of those mentioned made a pretty solid case in the opener.

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