Raiders in Napa: Who’s rising, falling and treading water

NAPA — With the Raiders taking the day off Monday, here are some 2017 training camp risers, fallers and those treading water with eight of 15 practices in the books:

RISERS

Quarterback Derek Carr — Broken what? Hard to believe Carr is moving like he is with a plate in his ankle. Looks worth every penny of his $125 million deal.

Running back Marshawn Lynch — Impossible to tell with a physical runner like Lynch if he’s truly back to his 2014 form until he takes on real tacklers in a real game. But he has practiced more than I thought he would and it will be fun to see him in September.

Running back DeAndre Washington — Had a very good rookie year and looks quicker, more decisive.

Wide receiver Amari Cooper — Smooth, explosive, bigger and stronger. Cooper has missed the last three practices with some sort of leg issue. Will take Jack Del Rio at his word that there are no “significant” injuries to key players.

Wide receiver Michael Crabtree — Catching everything in sight. Could be all those drops last year were because he played through a painful finger dislocation.

Tight ends — Jared Cook, Lee Smith and Clive Walford could comprise one of the best units in the NFL. Cook will present matchup issues, Smith was missed after being injured last year and Walford may be ready to do this year what the Raiders hoped he would do a year ago. For complete Oakland Raiders coverage follow us on Flipboard.

Slot receiver Seth Roberts — Turns out, as the Bay News Group’s Jimmy Durkin discovered, that Roberts had a double hernia last year. No wonder he faded down the stretch. He has made plays from Day 1 in Napa.

The interior line — Guards Kelechi Osemele, Rodney Hudson and Gabe Jackson have rarely missed a snap. No worries there.

Defensive end Khalil Mack — He is to the defense what Carr is to the offense. Shooting for 30 sacks and might get 20.

Strong safety Karl Joseph — Yes, his size is a concern if he’s called upon to guard tight ends, but he has looked like a heat-seeking missile through camp — or at least as much as possible given the constraints on contact.

Middle linebacker Marquel Lee — Holding down the middle for the time being. As Del Rio noted, shows up more during run periods.

Defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes — Will get a chance to provide much-needed interior push and looks up to it.

Defensive lineman Denico Autry — As a base end or sliding inside, Autry played one-handed last year and hopes to surpass his impressive 2015 form.

Cornerback Breon Borders — Made so many plays against second- and third-team offense Del Rio put him at first-team nickel. Making fewer plays with the first team, but not getting roasted, either.

FALLERS

General manager Reggie McKenzie — Needs to step up and pay Donald Penn a fair wage. McKenzie is a deliberate man and Penn is a stubborn one. We’ll see how long this goes on. Like our Oakland Raiders Facebook page for more Raiders news, commentary and conversation.

Quarterback Connor Cook — Has made a couple of nice throws, but also had a lot of balls on the ground and appears to be running behind former first-round choice EJ Manuel. Either way, the dropoff from Carr to second string is precipitous.

Tight end Pharaoh Brown — No chance at cracking the first three anyway, but has struggled from the outset and unlikely to be practice squad material.

Cornerback Sean Smith — Dropped from first unit to second in last two practices. Del Rio says others have been “rolled in” as well. None that signed for big money in 2016, however.

Cornerback Gareon Conley — Hasn’t practiced yet with shin splints, so he has fallen behind through no fault of his own.

Safety Obi Melifonwu — Missed last three practices with undisclosed injury and hadn’t found his comfort zone before being injured.

Defensive tackle Darius Latham — Made it last year as undrafted free agent, no lock to be back on 53-man roster.

Defensive lineman Jihad Ward — Really needed strong camp and hasn’t practiced after foot surgery. Is determined to prove critics wrong based on since-deleted Twitter rant and will get his chance.

Linebacker Jelani Jenkins — Odds-on favorite to replace Malcolm Smith has missed some time and hasn’t ascended to first unit. Could be coaches think they already know what they have and want to see younger players first.

TREADING WATER

Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson — Will upgrade kick return unit for sure. As a receiver, is a body catcher. Whenever you can consistently hear a receiver catch the ball, it’s not a good sign.

Free safety Reggie Nelson — The occasional turnover comes his way, but too often the Raiders get beat in the secondary — the price of having to compete against Carr.

Tackle Vadal Alexander — Poor guy gets the full-on Mack treatment every day and in long run could be the better for it.

Cornerback Kenneth Durden — Makes just enough plays to keep himself in the mix. Special teams may tell the tale.

Defensive tackle Justin “Jelly” Ellis — Can he be the run-stopper the Raiders need? We’ll know more once preseason games begin.

Lineabacker Cory James — Making a bid to start on weak side. Has shown ability to get downfield in coverage. Will need to prove he can shed blocks and be stout against the run.

Tackle Marshall Newhouse — Next man up with Penn out was originally going to start on right side. This wasn’t the plan.

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