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5 Questions the Oakland Raiders Must Answer in Training Camp in 2015

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

5 Questions the Oakland Raiders Must Answer in Training Camp in 2015

Oakland Raiders Training Camp
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The offseason for the Oakland Raiders was filled with the arrival of many new faces and renewed promise. Training camp will be the first glimpse at the new personnel and the first chance to showcase the revived potential. But, with potential comes questions, so here are five questions the Oakland Raiders must answer in training camp in 2015.

5. Will LB Khalil Mack Continue to Get Better?

Khalil Mack Oakland Raiders
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

5. Will LB Khalil Mack Continue to Get Better?

Khalil Mack Oakland Raiders
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders appear to have gotten a steal with Mack at the No. 5 overall pick even though his first year stats didn’t show it. Despite only having four sacks, Mack was credited with 40 quarterback hurries, 54 quarterback pressures and was the consensus top 4-3 outside linebacker. In 2015, Mack must show that he can turn those hurries into sacks and become the elite level linebacker scouts projected him to be.

4. Who Will Replace RB Darren McFadden?

Darren McFadden Oakland Raiders
Cary Edmonson-USA TODAY Sports

4. Who Will Replace RB Darren McFadden?

Darren McFadden Oakland Raiders
Cary Edmonson-USA TODAY Sports

McFadden’s time in Oakland was marked by disappointment and unfulfilled expectations. Nevertheless, the loss of a such a serviceable back like McFadden warrants notice. So far, Latavius Murray looks like the obvious fit as he has received nothing but great reviews all throughout OTAs and showed flashes of greatness in 2014. If Murray can show consistency in 2015, then the bad taste left by McFadden may soon be gone.

3. Can Rookie WR Amari Cooper Be the Team’s Top Wideout?

Amari Cooper Oakland Raiders
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

3. Can Rookie WR Amari Cooper Be the Team’s Top Wideout?

Amari Cooper Oakland Raiders
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Cooper was drafted with the intention of becoming the future number one wideout in Oakland and his first training camp will be a great chance to fulfill those expectations. He has a viable quarterback in Derek Carr, and given his talent level, should see the majority of the targets. However, he will more than likely, lineup against the top corner of each team he faces. Cooper’s success will hinge on his ability to compete with the best.

2. Can New HC Jack Del Rio Make the Most of His Second Chance?

Jack Del Rio
Getty Images

2. Can New HC Jack Del Rio Make the Most of His Second Chance?

Jack Del Rio
Getty Images

This will be Jack Del Rio’s second time at the helm of a NFL team. At his last gig in Jacksonville, he got off to strong start only to falter in later on. There’s no doubt Del Rio has the coaching ability to lead a team to the playoffs. He has a strong emphasis on defense which is a surplus asset for the Raiders. The tipping point will be whether or not Del Rio can learn from his mistakes, improve upon them and take it to the next level.

1. How Will QB Derek Carr Fare in His Second Year?

Derek Carr Oakland Raiders
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

1. How Will QB Derek Carr Fare in His Second Year?

Derek Carr Oakland Raiders
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Carr turned in a nice rookie campaign for the Raiders and provided some much needed stability at the quarterback position. Growth as a leader and as a quarterback will need to be Carr’s main goal in 2015. He will have his work cut out for him as he has to learn a new scheme and will be coming off a finger injury which limited him in OTAs. It won’t get easier for Carr in his second season, but the opportunities to prove his worth will be aplenty.

Mike Carlson is a writer for RantSports.
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