Oakland Raiders: Top 3 players to watch in Week 1 against the Broncos
By Kyle Foster
![OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 24: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders speaks with head coach Jon Gruden on the sidelines during their NFL game against the Denver Broncos at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 24, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 24: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders speaks with head coach Jon Gruden on the sidelines during their NFL game against the Denver Broncos at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 24, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/317af91289466c7a35cfc4d7efb17e16786a1002a69f49d762036bf8b8d64b0c.jpg)
2. Darren Waller, TE
This will only be Darren Waller’s fifth game played in the NFL since 2016. Waller is coming off of an amazing training camp that vaulted him up the depth chart to the starter at tight end.
Waller has the skills to make a major impact and be an X-factor type of player for Oakland. His athleticism could come in handy on third down when the Raiders need to move the sticks.
The most interesting thing with Waller will be to see how he is at run blocking because Oakland will need to run the ball in order to keep the ball moving against a strong Denver defense.
Expect Carr to use Waller in a similar fashion to how he did Jared Cook last season. He’s more than likely going to have to get some catches considering Tyrell Williams and Antonio Brown will draw the defense’s attention which should give Waller some running room.
There’s also the possibility that Waller could have a hard time getting reacclimated to NFL game speed after missing nearly two seasons. The possibility is definitely out there that he could come out and be rusty which would kill the Raiders offense.
But, if they get the player they had in training camp and throughout the preseason then Oakland could have something special.