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Oakland Raiders: 5 Key roster battles to watch during 2019 preseason

By Maurice Moton

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 28: Daryl Worley #20 of the Oakland Raiders reacts after stopping the Indianapolis Colts in the red zone during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 28: Daryl Worley #20 of the Oakland Raiders reacts after stopping the Indianapolis Colts in the red zone during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Denzelle Good #71 of the Indianapolis Colts runs off the field during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Denzelle Good #71 of the Indianapolis Colts runs off the field during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Left Guard

Contenders: Jonathan Cooper, Denzelle Good, Lester Cotton Sr.

Although Richie Incognito will serve a two-game suspension, he can still practice. The 36-year old has taken first-team reps. Guard Denzelle Good underwent offseason back surgery in June with an approximate two-month recovery timetable, per NBCS Bay Area’s Scott Bair:

McDonald spotted Good working on the side during the first week of training camp. We could see him on the field in the near future.

After the league announced Incognito’s suspension, the Raiders signed Jonathan Cooper. He’s the likely starter while Good recovers from surgery. The 2013 first-rounder could play both guard positions, so the coaching staff may shift him to the opposite side of the line once Incognito returns to action.

Lester Cotton Sr., an undrafted rookie out of Alabama, who’s familiar with projected starting running back Josh Jacobs from their collegiate days, would need a strong preseason performance to claim the starting spot. Nonetheless, he has an opportunity to use his 6-4, 335-pound frame to put himself on the radar for a roster spot.

Unless Good takes the field for one of the preseason games and shows he’s fully healed, expect Cooper to start at left guard in September.

Prediction: Jonathan Cooper

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