The other Justin in the backfield showed that he can provide a lead block, pick up a blitz, and run a wheel route. Between Griffith and O’Neal, the Raiders are set at the fullback position.

In fact, there’s a strong chance that the Raider’s offense will use more two-back sets this year. With depth at wide receiver an issue, and the pass-catching ability of TE Zach Miller something the team wants to highlight, it’s possible the fullback will be featured as a sixth offensive lineman more often.

Tight End

Projected Starter: Zach Miller

Depth: John Madsen, Tony Stewart

Take heart, Raider Nation, the legacy of pass-catching tight ends is secure in the hands of Zach Miller. From Casper to Christensen, Oakland has been blessed with talented receivers at the position. Miller is no exception.

In fact, his only blemish is that he’s every bit the capable blocker, forcing the coaching staff to use his skills to help pick up the slack on the line. John Madsen remains a vertical threat, but not much of a blocker, so expect two-tight-end sets to include the burly Stewart. 

The key will be getting Miller off the line and into the pattern, in order to provide a capable set of hands for Russell (see fullbacks above). It’s easy to envision Miller with a 70-catch season, as JaMarcus continues to settle into progressions.

Wide Receiver

Projected Starters: Ronald Curry, Javon Walker

Depth: Drew Carter, Todd Watkins, Johnnie Lee Higgins

Somebody has to step up from this group, right? Hello? Anyone?

Don’t kid yourself, this is a real problem for Oakland. Ronald Curry looks like the best of the bunch, but he has had two serious leg injuries. He has looked solid, if unspectacular in camp, but every time he takes a hit the Nation holds its collective breath. 

Javon Walker is in many ways one of the saddest people in football and may not make it out of Napa. He hasn’t been the same since the tragic shooting two years ago. His escapades in Las Vegas this past summer are troubling, and the recent retirement talk is proof that he’s in a bad place.

Truthfully someone should send him to Hawaii for a week to get away from football, clear his head, and decide his future.

But that’s just not the NFL way, so instead, he’ll remain the one drama in camp right up until he takes the field against Denver on Monday night.

Drew Carter has looked like he wants to win a job this summer, and he just might. The question remains: Was last year a harbinger of things to come or a flash in the pan? 

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