The Oakland Raiders released their first regular season unofficial depth chart.
1. Derek Carr starting at QB
Head Coach Dennis Allen announced during his Monday post-practice press conference that QB Derek Carr will be the Raiders starting quarterback. Carr will be the first rookie QB in Raiders history to start a season opener and he is the only rookie QB scheduled to start this week's game in the NFL. Carr showed the coaches, players and Raider Nation his talent in the first quarter of Oakland's Preseason Week 4 match-up with the Seahawks, when he took the team down the field four times for touchdowns.
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Meet the 53 men on the Raiders 2014 roster.
- Maurice Jones-Drew still listed as the No. 1 running bac**k
RB Maurice Jones-Drew proved he's still got it when he broke out of a tackle at the line of scrimmage in Green Bay and scampered 40 yards for the touchdown. But expect RB Darren McFadden to get plenty of carries, as the two veteran running backs look to get the offense on schedule with an impactful rushing offense. Don't count out Latavius Murray either. The second-year running back had a nice preseason, including a 41-yard showing with a touchdown against Seattle.
3. James Jones and Rod Streater leading the wide receivers
Nothing too surprising here. James Jones is a proven veteran and Rod Streater showed last season that he is a consistent target for quarterbacks.
4. Depth at the offensive line
The Raiders have a healthy offensive line that is anchored by Stefen Wisniewski at center. Khalif Barnes gives the team flexibility with his ability to play at the tackle or guard spot. Gabe Jackson has come in as a rookie and is as good as the scouts and coaches expected him to be. With Austin Howard, Donald Penn and Menelik Watson, the Raiders offensive line is big, strong and should be much more productive than last season.
5. Defense as expected
No surprises with the starting defense – TJ Carrie and Chimdi Chekwa are the backup cornerbacks for Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers. Veteran acquisitions DEs Justin Tuck and LaMarr Woodley anchor the revamped line, rookie LB Khalil Mack is expected to make an immediate impact, and Charles Woodson teams with Tyvon Branch on the back-end.
6. Latavius Murray earns kick return duties and TJ Carrie takes on punt return
Murray entered the offseason without having any kick return experience since high school, but the running back took on the challenge and proved he is capable of giving the Raiders an opportunity to begin a drive with good field position. Carrie was explosive and confident as the Raiders punt returner during the preseason. In the final game at home, Carrie returned a punt for 45 yards.
OFFENSE
WR | James Jones | Denarius Moore | |
LT | Donald Penn | Matt McCants | |
LG | Khalif Barnes | Gabe Jackson | |
C | Stefen Wisniewski | Kevin Boothe | |
RG | Austin Howard | Tony Bergstrom | |
RT | Menelik Watson | Matt McCants | |
TE | David Ausberry | Mychal Rivera | Brian Leonhardt |
WR | Rod Streater | Andre Holmes | Brice Butler |
QB | Derek Carr | Matt Schaub | Matt McGloin |
RB | Maurice Jones-Drew | Darren McFadden | Latavius Murray |
FB | Marcel Reece | Jamize Olawale |
DEFENSE
RE | LaMarr Woodley | Shelby Harris | Benson Mayowa | |
DT | Antonio Smith | Stacy McGee | ||
NT | Pat Sims | Justin Ellis | ||
LE | Justin Tuck | C.J. Wilson | ||
WLB | Sio Moore | Miles Burris | ||
MLB | Nick Roach | Kaluka Maiava | ||
SLB | Khalil Mack | |||
RCB | Tarell Brown | Chimdi Chekwa | Neiko Thorpe | |
LCB | Carlos Rogers | TJ Carrie | Keith McGill | Taiwan Jones |
FS | Charles Woodson | Jonathan Dowling | ||
SS | Tyvon Branch | Usama Young |
SPECIAL TEAMS
P | Marquette King | ||
K | Sebastian Janikowski | ||
H | Marquette King | ||
LS | Jon Condo | Stefen Wisniewski | Brian Leonhardt |
KR | Latavius Murray | Taiwan Jones | Darren McFadden |
PR | TJ Carrie | Denarius Moore |