The Raiders released their “unofficial” depth chart Monday as part of their weekly press release previewing their exhibition opener next Monday night at home against Dallas.
There are few if any true surprises, but this is a fluid chart that will undoubtedly change based on performance and injuries throughout the preseason.
The fact that Jacoby Ford is listed first string at both kick and punt returner stands out. During his first two seasons, he returned kicks but not punts. But with wide receivers Denarius Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey slated to start ahead of Ford, it makes sense for him to add to his special teams workload.
It’s also interesting that the Raiders list a defensive tackle and a nose tackle in their four-man line instead of two defensive tackles. Tommy Kelly is the starting nose, which means he’ll likely be spending plenty of time over center, alongside Richard Seymour.
DeMarcus Van Dyke is listed as the second-string right corner, behind Shawtae Spencer. Van Dyke, a second-year pro who’s having a good camp, could put some pressure on the veteran.
Running back Taiwan Jones is listed second on the depth chart, ahead of Mike Goodson. But Jones is battling a sore hamstring, and Goodson has looked impressive. Jones and Goodson are battling to become Darren McFadden’s primary backup.
Here’s the depth chart:
Offense
WR: Denarius Moore, Jacoby Ford, Rod Streater, Travionte Session, Duke Calhoun, DeAundre Muhammad
LT: Jared Veldheer, Zach Hurd, Ed Wang
LG: Cooper Carlisle, Tony Bergstrom, Nick Howell
C: Stefen Wisniewski, Alex Parsons, Colin Miller
RG: Mike Brisiel, Lucas Nix, Kevin Haslam
RT: Khalif Barnes, Joe Barksdale, Dan Knapp
TE: Brandon Myers, Richard Gordon, David Ausberry, Kyle Efaw, Tory Humphrey
WR: Darrius Heyward-Bey, Eddie McGee, Juron Criner, Derek Carrier, Brandon Carswell, Thomas Mayo
QB: Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Terrelle Pryor, Kyle Newhall-Caballero
RB: Darren McFadden, Taiwan Jones, Mike Goodson, Lonyae Miller
FB: Marcel Reece, Owen Schmitt, Manase Tonga, Rashawn Jackson
Defense
RE: Matt Shaughnessy, David Tollefson, Mason Brodine, Wayne Dorsey
DT: Richard Seymour, Desmond Bryant, Christo Bilukidi
NT: Tommy Kelly, Jamie Cumbie, Dominique Hamilton
LE: Lamarr Houston, Jack Crawford, Hall Davis
WLB: Miles Burris, Chad Kilgore, Mario Kurn
MLB: Rolando McClain, Travis Goethel, Nathan Stupar
SLB: Philip Wheeler, Carl Ihenacho, Kaelin Burnett
RCB: Shawntae Spencer, DeMarcus Van Dyke, Bryan McCann, Terrail Lambert
LCB: Ron Bartell, Chimdi Chekwa, Pat Lee, Conroy Black
FS: Michael Huff, Matt Giordano, Brandon Underwood, Chaz Powell
SS: Tyvon Branch, Mike Mitchell, Curtis Taylor, Aaron Henry
Special teams
P: Marquette King
K: Sebastian Janikowski, Eddy Carmona
H: Marquette King, Matt Leinart
LS: Jon Condo
KR: Jacoby Ford, Taiwan Jones, Bryan McCann, DeAundre Muhammad, Derek Carrier
PR: Jacoby Ford, Denarius Moore, Bryan McCann, Juron Criner, DeAundre Muhammad
Note: WLB Aaron Curry is on the Physically Unable to Perform list, while Pro Bowl punter Shane Lechler is on the Active/Non-Football Injury list. Neither is listed on the depth chart.
Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter: @CBSSportsNFLOAK.