7 Bold Pre-Training Camp Predictions for Oakland Raiders

We go into every season with expectations, predictions and preconceived notions. Does everything pan exactly how it looks on paper or film? Never. The Oakland Raiders head into the 2017 season with the bar set high—there's a legitimate Super Bowl buzz among the fans.

Those who haven't watched the Raiders progress over the past three seasons, starting with the end of the 2014 campaign, would say a Super Bowl matchup featuring Oakland seems like a bold prediction. Though, with the roster additions, it's not an unrealistic expectation.

Who knows what the Raiders would have shown the world with quarterback Derek Carr in the lineup during the 2017 postseason. We do know they are a much better team with the highest-paid player suited up to play.

Nonetheless, we'll skip over the "what ifs" and go bold with predictions for the 2017 season. Each projection will push the upper limits of what could transpire over the next seven months.

Reggie McKenzie Finds Undrafted Gem in Linebacker LaTroy Lewis

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We've watched unknowns rise from obscurity to take on significant roles on a frequent basis during general manager Reggie McKenzie's tenure. The Raiders have become the team of opportunity for guys coming into training camp with something to prove.

This year, the Raiders need one inside linebacker to bring his best to the practice field, preseason and then the regular season. Ben Heeney has missed most of the offseason program thus far, per San Francisco Chronicle reporter Vic Tafur. He's still recovering from an injury, meaning undrafted rookie LaTroy Lewis could challenge Cory James and Marquel Lee for the inside spot.

An inexperienced group at inside linebacker opens the door for Lewis to make an early training-camp impression. He finished his senior year at Tennessee with 36 tackles, four tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks with a fumble recovery. Then, he attended rookie minicamp and made his presence known, earning a three-year contract, per Las Vegas Journal-Review reporter Michael Gehlken.

At a wide-open position, Lewis could become the latest undrafted talent to prove the Raiders' scout team deserves major props for their tireless work in player evaluation.

Gabe Jackson Signs New Deal Worth $10M Per Year

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Offensive guard Gabe Jackson will follow Carr on the extension line. For Jackson, a fourth-year player who switched positions over the past year but maintained efficiency as a blocker, $9.2 million per year seems fair.

However, McKenzie could push the pay scale a little further and make him one of the top-five highest-paid offensive guards in the league at $10 million per year, via Spotrac. Some fans may scoff at the expense, but there's no price on protecting a high-caliber quarterback. At that rate, Jackson would list $1.7 million behind fellow interior lineman Kelechi Osemele.

Denver Broncos guard Ronald Leary will average $9 million per year in payout over his four-year deal; he only started 16 games in the past two years. If Jackson started twice as many games in the same time span, switched positions, excelled after the shift and allowed zero sacks, per Pro Football Focus, $10 million doesn't look like a bad deal.

Donald Penn Goes to Another Pro Bowl, Extends Stay

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Most fans expect to see the Raiders start a new left tackle for the 2018 season. Based on the team's offseason moves, they're expecting the same.

McKenzie drafted two offensive tackles and signed Marshall Newhouse to a two-year deal. Though he's expected to compete on the right, most players flip sides during training camp to add versatility to compensate for in-season injuries.

Let's pump the brakes on pushing Donald Penn off to pasture. The 34-year-old tackle went to his second Pro Bowl after the 2016 season. According to Pro Football Focus, he stood among four players at his position to allow just one sack despite taking almost 200 more pass-block snaps compared to the remaining linemen in the exclusive group.

According to Gehlken, Penn plans to shed five pounds before the season and keep himself in tip-top shape.

"That Penn, who is entering his 12th NFL season, has played this long and still maintained a high level of play is a testament to his preparation," Gehlken wrote. "He cut his weight five pounds to 325 last season. He plans to do so again in 2017, dropping to 320."

McKenzie will have to consider extending the grizzled veteran with another Pro Bowl year, especially with a premium on protecting Carr on a team that can win now.

Treyvon Hester Starts on the Defensive Line

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Defensive lineman Jihad Ward has plenty of ground to cover after a poor rookie year. According to Tafur, head coach Jack Del Rio expects to see him improve going into his sophomore season, but Treyvon Hester may show enough through the preseason to start on the interior. 

Tafur also noticed Hester taking first-team reps with Eddie Vanderdoes finishing up his academic year at UCLA. After the team's first mandatory minicamp practice, Del Rio acknowledged the seventh-rounder's ability to rush the passer on the inside.

Sure, it's only training camp, but the Raiders desperately needed another defensive lineman who can push the pocket up the middle. Oakland expects to see Ward excel in that particular area, but Hester's early flashes could propel him into the starting spot.

As a senior at Toledo, Hester racked up 5.5 sacks, Ward recorded 5.5 quarterback takedowns in two seasons coming out of Illinois.

Marshawn Lynch Leads League in Rushing Touchdowns

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Before his injury-riddled 2015 campaign, running back Marshawn Lynch led the league in rushing touchdowns between the 2013-14 seasons. So, why's this a bold prediction behind one of the best offensive lines in football? 

Beast Mode will share the workload with Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington in Oakland. Unlike the Seahawks, the Raiders also have an explosive passing attack that ranked No. 8 in passing touchdowns in 2016. Now, Carr will have an end-zone threat in tight end Jared Cook to boost his passing statistics.

However, the Silver and Black's potent offense will reach the red zone frequently in the coming season. Lynch will have plenty of opportunities to take handoffs within 10 yards of the goal line.

When the Raiders go deep into their opponent's territory, expect Lynch to run through someone's face mask. Carr joked about not hesitating to stick the ball into Beast Mode's gut to finish drives.

Raiders Score 50 or More Points Against the New York Jets in Week 2

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Yes, the Raiders' talent has reached a point in which we can start to predict blowouts—how about a 50 burger for Oakland in 2017?

The New York Jets will travel west with quarterbacks Josh McCown, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg on the roster. General manager Mike Maccagnan also parted ways with last year's starting wideouts Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall. Center Nick Mangold sits on the free-agent wire. 

Gang Green also flipped their secondary, drafting two safeties and releasing defensive backs Darrelle Revis and Marcus Gilchrist. Maccagnan also traded Calvin Pryor to the Cleveland Browns.

The Jets will experience early issues in their passing attack and pass defense, which spells disaster for head coach Todd Bowles in a Week 2 matchup against the Raiders' loaded offense.

Oakland hasn't scored 50 or more points since clubbing the Denver Broncos 59-14 in 2010. Expect the Raiders to overwhelm the Jets early, pull the starters during the third quarter and continuing whooping on a team staring at the 2018 No. 1 overall draft spot.

Oakland Raiders Will Play the New England Patriots Twice

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The Raiders and New England don't play in the same division, so this prediction suggests the two clubs will meet in the postseason.

The Raiders and Patriots have a meeting in Mexico during Week 11 after Oakland's bye. It's a much-anticipated matchup and a barometer for a group planning to topple the Super Bowl champs in the AFC. 

Remember the Super Bowl aspirations discussed at the beginning? The road likely goes through New England. It's fitting the Raiders may have to go back to the scene of the tuck-rule crime in a playoff game to claim AFC supremacy.

An AFC Championship Game between the Patriots and Raiders would bring enticing storylines stemming from the past and highlight the current. It could also present a new playoff rival to the champions going forward.