The Oakland Raiders are hoping for major improve this season and in training camp linebacker Malcolm Smith has been impressive and he should start on defense this year with Khalil Mack, while players like Amari Cooper, Derek Carr, Michael Crabtree and Latavius Murray are set on offense and this comes as Trent Richardson is trying to avoid getting cut.
The Raiders brought in Jack Del Rio to take over the team this winter and now the organization thinks that it has stability at the two most important spots locked up: head coach and quarterback. Derek Carr is coming back after a strong rookie season and the team sees Carr as their QB for the long haul. The team drafted Amari Cooper and signed Trent Richardson, Michael Crabtree and Roy Helu and that should give the offense some steady improvement.
According to Bill Williamson at ESPN, Carr said that he has already seen "improvement" from the Raiders on offense in camp. Carr praised Cooper and his talent, saying that the wideout should have no problems translating to the NFL. Cooper was considered to be the top WR coming out in the draft this year by many scouts and he has above average hands, route running ability and quickness out of cuts. Cooper is expected to start the season as the top receiver ahead of Crabtree and players like Rod Streater and Andre Holmes are in the mix to be primary players.
The running back situation should be better than last season, as Darren McFadden was not very productive and Latavius Murray was only in his first full season. Murray is expected to be the top back this year and according to Raiders.com, Richardson is listed as the number two RB on the depth chart ahead of Roy Helu for now. Helu likely will be the third down back, as he is the best receiver out of the three running backs.
Richardson did not get off to a great start in camp after being on the active/NFI list, but he is back and now has the chance to earn his roster spot. According to Ian Rapoport at NFL.com, sources said that Richardson has a "50 percent" shot to make the roster and if he has a strong preseason and camp he will stay. Richardson is likely to stick around, but as the San Francisco Chronicle points out, cutting Richardson loose will not cost much, as he only has $600,000 guaranteed in his contract, which is for two years and $3.85 million.
The Raiders also may have found a solid starter at linebacker this summer, as Bill Williamson reports that Malcolm Smith has been a standout at camp. Smith was signed in the offseason after playing for the Seahawks and he was set to be "insurance" in case Sio Moore was not healthy. Williamson writes that Smith "looks like a starting linebacker" in camp and that he could get the chance to play on the weak side. Del Rio reportedly has "raved" about smith and said that he "understands" what the team wants to do on defense.
Check here for more on the Oakland Raiders training camp and more on starters for the season.