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Oakland Raiders: 6 Critical training camp battles to watch

By Maurice Moton

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 15: Nicholas Morrow #50 of the Oakland Raiders reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 15, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Don Feria/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 15: Nicholas Morrow #50 of the Oakland Raiders reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 15, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Don Feria/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Kolton Miller of UCLA talks with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #15 overall by the Oakland Raiders during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Kolton Miller of UCLA talks with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #15 overall by the Oakland Raiders during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Right Tackle

Breno Giacomini vs. Brandon Parker vs. Kolton Miller vs. David Sharpe

The right tackle position takes the spotlight as the No. 1 training camp battle simply because the winner holds a tough task in protecting quarterback Derek Carr. Secondly, the competition features rookie talent, a veteran and second-year player looking to crack the starting lineup.

At the moment, Oakland seems focused on grooming first-rounder Kolton Miller into Donald Penn‘s eventual replacement on the blind side. He lined up on the left for a majority of the organized team activities and mandatory minicamp.

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Nonetheless, it would seem odd to sit Miller, a top-15 pick, for an entire year while third-rounder Brandon Parker starts on the right where he’s less experience than the first-rounder. There’s no way the Raiders start Breno Giacomini, who according to Pro Football Focus allowed 64 quarterback hurries last season. If that’s the case, offensive line coach Tom Cable must have incredible pull. The two spent three seasons together with the Seattle Seahawks.

Cable envisions Sharpe as someone who possesses high potential as a starting right tackle in the league. “I see right tackles in this league. There aren’t a few good ones, and I think this guy has the potential. It doesn’t mean anything right yet, but he has the potential to be a really good football player. It’ll be up to him whether he chooses to do that or not.”

Assuming Penn returns to action, Miller could win the job with adequate reps. He started 10 games on the right at UCLA. If the Raiders decide to hold him out for a year behind the 35-year-old on the blind side, Parker likely wins the job on the right side. The current regime handpicked him on Day 2 of the draft. Sharpe would have to make a sparkling impression to overtake the North Carolina A&T product.

For now, let’s assume the coaching staff gives their Day 1 prospect a fair shot to start right away.

Projected Winner: Kolton Miller

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