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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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GAINESVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 18: Eddy Pineiro #15 of the Florida Gators gestures after kicking a field goal during the first half of the game against the UAB Blazers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 18: Eddy Pineiro #15 of the Florida Gators gestures after kicking a field goal during the first half of the game against the UAB Blazers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /

Kicker 

Giorgio Tavecchio vs. Eddy Pineiro

Kicker Giorgio Tavecchio put together a decent season as a first-year kicker in the regular season. He converted 16-of-21 field-goal attempts in 2017. Still, the Raiders felt the need to push him in training camp.

Undrafted Florida prospect Eddy Pineiro seems like the frontrunner with his collegiate teammate Johnny Townsend as the holder and punter in the special teams unit.

Pineiro only missed one field goal in the opening game of the previous season for the Gators. He’s coming into training camp with a strong leg and accuracy that will push the incumbent—likely off the depth chart

The projection goes beyond Pineiro’s connection with Townsend. The Raiders prioritized the former Gator as a free-agent pickup after the draft. According to NFL.com senior analyst and Sirius XM Radio host Gil Brandt, the kicker signed one of the biggest bonuses among undrafted free agents:

Next: 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Way too early projection for next year

If Tavecchio didn’t kick for the Raiders in the previous season, Pineiro might’ve been a late draft pick for the Silver and Black in April. Barring a poor showing in training camp, the Florida product will likely take over the starting placekicker job for the 2018 campaign. Nonetheless, we’ll see a close battle between the competitors come down to the final preseason contest.

Projected Winner: Eddy Pineiro

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