Players to watch

BY JERRY McDONALD

Players With Breakout Potential

RB Josh Jacobs

Will be given every opportunity to take the ball and run with it as a feature back. If all goes according to plan, he’ll be the most productive back since Darren McFadden in 2010-11.

CB Gareon Conley

Graded out as one of the NFL’s top coverage corners according to Profootballfocus.com, and did it with zero pass rush. If the Raiders can go from awful to average in that area, Conley should shine.

DT Maurice Hurst

Michigan product was a bright spot as a rookie and gained valuable experience. Classic penetrating three-technique player who could excel with beefy tackles Justin Ellis, P.J. Hall and Jonathan Hankins next to him.

S Johnathan Abram

Has solid credentials as a hitter and a live wire who should energize the last line of defense. Teammates have raved about how he studies and carries himself — more veteran than rookie.

Cornerback Gareon Conley was one of the NFL’s top coverage corners last year.

RANDY VAZQUEZ/STAFF

On The Hot Seat

QB Derek Carr

Carr never really was on the hot seat last year, because Jon Gruden wasn’t of a mind to break in another quarterback. But with a year in the system and upgrades all around him, it’s time to return to his 2016 level.

LT Kolton Miller

Played 16 games as a rookie, 12 of them on a bum knee. The first-round pick doesn’t have a lot of true believers outside the building, but the Raiders are convinced he’ll not only hold up but flourish in Year 2.

DE Arden Key

OK, Key played way too much as a 235-pound rush end last season because of a lack of D-line depth. A deeper unit will help. But it remains to be seen if Key has built his body to a point where he can disengage from NFL tackles.

Other Key Players

WR Antonio Brown

Let’s face it. If Brown doesn’t catch 100-plus passes for 1,400-plus yards and double-digit touchdowns, it’s a problem. But — um — a few issues have cropped up in camp. Even if those get worked out, there’s no telling how Brown will react if the ball too often goes elsewhere.

C Rodney Hudson

The glue that holds the offensive line together, Hudson is one of the most respected veterans in the locker room and produces at an elite level game in and game out.

RT Trent Brown

The NFL’s biggest (6-foot-8, 359 pounds) and highest-paid offensive lineman (four years, $66 million) was impressive early in camp, and is so imposing he makes 335-pound guard Gabe Jackson look small.

POSITIONS OF CONCERN

1. Left guard

Richie Incognito is out for the first two games on suspension and Denzelle Good is coming off back surgery and the opener is in question. Castoff Jonathan Cooper is up next.

2. Tight end

Jared Cook is gone, and so are his 68 receptions for 896 yards. It’s a prime opportunity for Darren Waller, an athletic specimen who has looked the part. Fourthround draft pick Foster Moreau could also get time.

3. Punter

It was a rough first year for fifth-round draft pick Johnny Townsend, who didn’t come close to the Shane Lechler-Marquette King standard. Undrafted rookie A.J. Cole unseated Townsend in training camp for the roster spot.