Who Are Oakland Raiders' Next Great Playmakers?

When analysts talk about the Oakland Raiders, you often hear about quarterback Derek Carr, edge-rusher Khalil Mack and even wideout Amari Cooper despite his down season. Who is included in the next wave of impact players? 

The phrase "next great playmaker" seems like a stretch to attach to rookies, second-year pros and rotational players. Nonetheless, we will highlight some underappreciated assets on the roster.

After sitting through a disappointing season, which developing talents provide hope for the future? A playoff-caliber team leans on its roster cornerstones to lead the way but needs depth to compensate for injuries and carry the team forward.

Most of the players listed have minimal experience but showed enough in their early development to indicate long-term starter potential. Who should we expect to rise through the ranks beyond the 2018 season?

S Karl Joseph

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Among the players on this list, safety Karl Joseph is the most established starter. After missing the first two weeks of his rookie campaign, minor injuries have been the only reasons for his absence as a starter.

Joseph has appeared in 25 games and flashed his ability to lay big hits and drop into coverage. He's hauled in two interceptions and broke up 10 passes since entering the league in 2016.

Reggie Nelson's contract expires at the end of the year, which opens the position to changes going forward. The coaching staff could continue to use him closer to the box, move him into the deep coverage role or interchange his position based on matchups.

Unfortunately, rookie Obi Melifonwu underwent two surgeries, on his knee and hip. The 2017 second-rounder's fit within the defense remains unknown. In the meantime, Joseph possesses the skill set to play either safety position, but the Raiders would benefit from transitioning him to center field.

Melifonwu's return will allow the coaching to staff to match a taller defender on tight ends rather than rely on the 5'10" Joseph in man coverage against bigger bodies running routes down the seam.

Typically, the third year is critical, and we should see the best from Joseph starting in 2018.

RB Jalen Richard

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Skeptics will quickly point out Jalen Richard's recent struggles with fielding punts, but he's still an effective dual threat in the backfield.

The second-year running back's rush attempts have significantly dropped from the previous year, but he still averages 4.5 yards per carry. Richard's rushing numbers won't see a major increase with Marshawn Lynch in the featured role and DeAndre Washington sharing duties in the backfield. However, the Southern Mississippi product can rip off a huge gain on any given down.

Washington, who averages 2.8 yards per carry in his second season, hasn't been as effective with his rushing opportunities. In case Lynch misses a game or struggles to move the ball, expect the coaching staff to lean on Richard to fill in the gaps on the ground in the near future.

Richard wouldn't fit under the category as a great playmaker on an immediate basis, but he could deflate defenses in a system that utilizes his reliable hands in the short-passing attack.

CB Gareon Conley

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The injury bug bit the Raiders secondary in 2017 and wiped out Melifonwu and Gareon Conley, who lost the majority of his rookie campaign to a shin injury. We saw small glimpses of the Ohio State product, and early signs indicate he could develop into a quality starting cornerback in the league.

In Week 2, Conley nearly secured the Raiders' first interception. New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown's pass bounced off the rookie's hands, and he almost batted the ball into Nelson's arms for the takeaway.

McCown decided to target fifth-year cornerback David Amerson rather than the first-rounder, which tells you about the 22-year-old's footwork and positioning.

Unfortunately, the promising prospect aggravated his shin injury against the Washington Redskins in the following game, which led to surgery while he was on injured reserve.

Despite the minimal sample size, the quickness, technique, and playmaking ability Conley showed in his first two NFL games should propel him to the top spot of the cornerback depth chart in the years to come.

LB Nicholas Morrow

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General manager Reggie McKenzie took heavy criticism for his offseason decisions at linebacker, which included direct remarks from head coach Jack Del Rio in an NFL Network interview (h/t NBCS Bay Area reporter Scott Bair):

"I don't know that we've adequately addressed our middle linebacker position, to be honest. I think we have some work to do there. The rest of our roster is pretty well situated, but we'll be looking for a linebacker and we'll continue to look, whether it's the waiver wire, trades or available guys out there, veterans on the street. We'll continue to look."

The front office signed linebacker NaVorro Bowman before Oakland's Week 7 contest with the Kansas City Chiefs. Nonetheless, Nicholas Morrow, an undrafted rookie out of Greenville College, has made strides throughout the year as a decent coverage linebacker who's a reliable tackler in pursuit.

Morrow has experienced more growth and playing time than fifth-round draft pick Marquel Lee, who's a two-down linebacker with limitations on passing downs.

The Division III product has played 465 defensive snaps and also took part in special teams duties. In his second year, he could see become a full-season starter who fills a void in intermediate coverage on the weak side and middle of the defense.

DL Denico Autry

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This list started with the most established starter. Let's take a look at the most experienced player who still falls into the budding talent category.

Defensive lineman Denico Autry continues to ascend as a playmaker on the front line. Technically, he's only started one contest through 14 games this season. But the fourth-year player knows how to disrupt the opponent's pass attack.

The 6'5", 273-pound defensive lineman derails potential completions with well-timed leaps at the line of scrimmage and relentless pocket pressure. Autry has seven pass breakups, which ties cornerback T.J. Carrie for the most on the team. He's also registered four sacks.

In recent games, Autry has been more impressive than Mario Edwards Jr., who suffered an ankle injury in Week 14 and missed the previous outing against the Dallas Cowboys. In a contract year, McKenzie should strongly consider re-signing the Mississippi State product to retain a versatile asset along the defensive line.