Oakland Raiders: 53-Man roster projections after minicamp

How does the Oakland Raiders 53-man depth chart shape up after mandatory minicamp? Who needs a strong training camp to avoid missing the cut?

The Oakland Raiders open training camp with a full practice July 27. From that point forward, rookies, grizzled veterans, experienced newcomers and incumbents will battle for spots on the 53-man roster. It’s the scene head coach Jon Gruden wanted to create — competition at several positions.

The players will put on pads and get to work through the summer. Right now, there’s a limited body of work to assess, which allows us to formulate early projections.

An early jump on the competition through organized team activities and mandatory minicamp doesn’t lock anyone into a roster spot. Though, it’s a good start for newcomers — both rookies and veterans.

Don’t tell Gruden non-padded practices mean nothing. He took note of who stood out during early workouts. It’s his first dip back into the league as a head coach after spending nine years in the Monday Night Football booth.

Looking at the photos from practices, it’s clear he enjoyed being among the players again.

Of course, it’s not all fun and games. First on Gruden’s agenda, put the best 53 men on the active roster. Let’s take an early look at the pecking order he may have in mind after two-and-half months of offseason work in the books.