Oakland Raiders' Top Candidates for Breakout Season in 2017

Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie assembled a productive 2016 rookie class, which includes drafted and undrafted talents. One first-year player in particular, running back Jalen Richard, stood out among the rest with 1,391 all-purpose yards.

Who will be the breakout player in the upcoming season? Will running back DeAndre Washington take another step and outgain Richard in their second seasons? Does tight end Jared Cook’s presence hurt Clive Walford’s chance at a breakout year? 

In a short interview, McKenzie voiced his confidence in the previous draft class for the 2017 campaign, per the team’s official website. 

Among those in the most recent draft class, which players are primed for a sophomore leap? Should we look out for fourth-year veterans attempting to cash in on their unrestricted free-agent statuses in the following offseason?

Karl Joseph

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The Raiders' starting strong safety seems like the obvious choice for a significant jump in the upcoming season. Karl Joseph tore his ACL as a senior at West Virginia and faced a lengthy recovery through training camp last year.

Joseph didn’t play a single defensive snap in the first two games but took over the starting position in Week 3. From that point, he held the spot until a toe injury put him out of action late in the season.

McKenzie feels good about Joseph’s chance of excelling in a starting role with a full offseason program in his second season, per San Francisco Chronicle reporter Vic Tafur. Through 12 games, Joseph has shown the ability to play closer to the line of scrimmage with some coverage skill. He logged 44 tackles, six passes defensed and an interception. 

Going into the upcoming season as the assumed starter, Joseph should be able to extend his solid play throughout an entire year. Without nagging injuries, expect the second-year safety to match up against tight ends and aid the front seven in run defense with reliable open-field tackling.

Shilique Calhoun

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The Raiders’ 2016 third-round pick had two elements working against him during his rookie campaign. The front office didn’t select the collegiate pass-rusher with intentions on elevating him into a starting role right away. As a defensive end at Michigan State, Calhoun had to learn the linebacker position in Oakland.

As is the case with any player transitioning from one position to another, it takes time to pick up techniques and schemes applicable to the new role. As a backup for pass-rushers Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin, Calhoun didn’t have a lot of live snaps to perfect his craft. When active, he played 40 percent of the team's special teams snaps. Last November, the Michigan State product underwent a procedure on his knee, which ended his season.

Going into his second year, Calhoun has a better grasp of the defense and his role on the field. Barring injury to Mack or Irvin, he isn't going to rack up a double-digit sack total. However, he could provide a significant impact as a third pass-rusher on defense.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the league would’ve reinstated pass-rusher Aldon Smith in March if he avoided trouble off the field. We’re in the second week of April, and there’s no word on his return. As a result, Calhoun will continue to soak up snaps as the rush linebacker and potential defensive end in a 4-2-5 alignment.

T.J. Carrie

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According to CSN Bay Area reporter Scott Bair, McKenzie intends to lock up the top three draft picks from the 2014 class. Defensive back T.J. Carrie will probably earn a better deal on the free-agent market next offseason. To do that, he must display his skill as a quality cornerback in the slot. Regardless of what happens during the draft, it’s Carrie’s spot to lose. He played well in the same role as a rookie.

Carrie struggled during his sophomore campaign, and it’s more the coaching staff’s fault than the player's. The Raiders didn’t have a quality strong safety to pair with Charles Woodson on the back end. As a result, Carrie shifted between cornerback, safety and kick returner. With too much on his plate and a minor injury, he struggled late in the season. 

The versatile defensive back recovered in the previous year with a more defined role at cornerback. He started three games and performed well in the slot once D.J. Hayden went down with a hamstring injury in Week 12. 

As the incumbent in the slot during a contract year, Carrie should fare well throughout the 2017 season. If the Raiders allow him to walk in the following offseason, he’ll compete for a starting position elsewhere in 2018.

Vadal Alexander

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Head coach Jack Del Rio shed light on the competition at right tackle during the owners' meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, via Bair. As expected, seventh-year offensive tackle Marshall Newhouse holds the upper hand over Austin Howard, who will likely miss a majority of the offseason program recovering from shoulder surgeries, and second-year pro Vadal Alexander.

As a healthy veteran, Newhouse should lead the early competition. However, once training camp starts, the coaches will compare the seventh-year pro to Alexander based on their practices as opposed to prior resumes.

If Alexander doesn’t take over the starting spot at the end of preseason, he’ll eventually step in at some point during the year. Newhouse lost his starting right tackle spot to another seventh-round pick in Bobby Hart with the New York Giants in 2016. Even with Newhouse's experience, he’s not a slam dunk to win the position battle outright.

Despite some penalties along the way, Alexander showed enough as a pass-protector and mauler on the perimeter during the previous year. Crowd noise flustered him in moments, but he’ll learn from his rookie mistakes. He’s primed to either win the starting position or take over with the season in progress.

Darius Latham

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According to Del Rio, via Tafur, the team may add another defensive lineman up front, but Darius Latham could fill the void as a defensive tackle who’s a capable run-stopper and pass-rusher. 

Despite his undrafted free agent status, Latham started two games on the defensive line and earned snaps in a rotation with Stacy McGee, Denico Autry, Justin Ellis, Dan Williams and Jihad Ward. The Raiders couldn’t find the right combination to stop the run, but the undrafted rookie found ways to pressure the quarterback in limited action.

With another offseason under his belt and uncertainty along the defensive line, Latham could earn a sizeable role at defensive tackle. Ellis isn’t known for his ability to push the pocket. According to Spotrac, the Raiders could cut Williams to re-assign $4.5 million in cash to player extensions. Ward struggled as a starter through 13 games. McGee signed a deal with the Washington Redskins during free agency.

If Latham stays healthy and puts together a solid offseason, he could see a significant boost in action and production for the 2017 season.

Stats provided by NFL.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.