TE - Brandon Myers vs. David Ausberry vs. Richard Gordon: The Raiders released starter Kevin Boss during an offseason salary purge, leaving the job wide open. Myers, entering his fourth NFL season, is the most experienced of the three and will enter camp atop the depth chart, but if he falters,  Ausberry or Gordon, both second-year pros, could pass him. Ausberry, a converted wide receiver from USC, bulked up to improve his blocking but still has the most speed and greatest potential of the three as a pass receiver. Gordon, known mostly for his blocking, dropped some weight, which should help him run quicker, crisper routes. Myers, who opened holes for current Jets RB Shonn Greene at Iowa, was drafted primarily as a blocker, but he caught a career-high 16 passes last season, compared to two for Ausberry and one for Gordon. Myers, Ausberry and Gordon could wind up sharing the job.

CB -- Shawntae Spencer vs. DeMarcus Van Dyke vs. Chimdi Chekwa: The Raiders added free agents Spencer (49ers) and Ron Bartell (Rams), a pair of experienced corners, and they worked with the first team throughout the offseason. Bartell looks like a lock on the left side, but Spencer could face a challenge at right cornerback after a rough 2011 season. Spencer started every game in 2009 and 2010 for the 49ers but made zero starts last year and appeared in only one game. He was limited by a hamstring injury in camp, which hurt his chances to impress new 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. But that doesn't fully explain why he played so few snaps and why the 49ers released him after the season. Last year the Raiders drafted Van Dyke in the third round out of Miami and Chekwa in the fourth out of Ohio State. Both are still raw, but Van Dyke appeared in 14 games and made four starts last year, while Chekwa played in only four games with one start. Of the two, Van Dyke has more speed but Chekwa is more physical. At cornerback in the NFL, speed trumps brawn. Advantage: Van Dyke.

Backup RB -- Mike Goodson vs. Taiwan Jones: Darren McFadden is the undisputed starter, but Goodson and Jones will battle to be his primary backup, a key role that Michael Bush held the past three seasons before signing with Chicago this year as a free agent. There's always a chance the Raiders could add a free-agent running back such as Cedric Benson, but for now, Goodson and Jones will go head-to-head. Goodson had a nightmare season last year for Carolina. Stuck behind DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, he didn't have a single carry. Fumbling cost him his kick-return job, and he landed on injured reserve (hamstring) in November. That didn't stop Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie from acquiring Goodson in a trade for offensive guard Bruce Campbell. Goodson flashed his potential in 2010 when he rushed for 452 yards on 103 carries -- he had three 100-yard rushing games -- and caught 40 passes for 310 yards. Jones had only 16 carries last year as a rookie and missed most of the season with a hamstring injury. But he's arguably the fastest Raider and is a legitimate home run threat. Whichever running back wins this job will likely get plenty of work. McFadden missed nine games last year with a sprained foot and 19 total games in his career because of assorted injuries.

Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter: @CBSsportsNFLOAK.