Oakland Raiders: 5 Players on roster bubble during 2017 training camp

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

With 2017 training camp just around the corner, it's safe to assume these five Oakland Raiders players are sitting squarely on the roster bubble.

Training camp is just around the corner, and I'm sure the Oakland Raiders can almost taste it. They're coming off a sensational 2016 campaign that may have been even better had it not been for an untimely broken leg suffered by star quarterback Derek Carr.

Still, let's not wallow in the past. Instead, let's look forward toward what should be a whale of a season for the Raiders. For the most part, the roster did nothing more than improve this offseason.

Although the team wasn't as active during free agency as many expected, general manager Reggie McKenzie made some big moves. There were a couple of quality additions at positions of need, and the Raiders' 2017 draft class has the makings of yet another great haul for this front office. Put simply, things are looking even better for the Silver and Black this year.

Before we can start talking Super Bowls, though, the 53-man roster needs to be finalized. For that to happen, the Raiders are going to need to make some difficult decisions. That means potentially cutting the cord with a few prominent players who are currently sitting on the roster bubble.

Speaking of the roster bubble, let's take a look at five players who are unmistakably on it heading into training camp. These guys better be doing everything they can to improve now, because it's going to take excellent performances during the next couple of months for them to stay employed by Oakland in 2017.

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5. Dexter McDonald, CB

Honestly, I don't think expectations were very high for Dexter McDonald when the Raiders made him a seventh-round pick two offseasons ago. The former Kansas cornerback offered some upside, but was far from a sure thing to ever make an impact for the Oakland secondary.

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Well it's looking like his time to do so is running out. It's been two seasons, and McDonald has failed to crack the rotation despite the Raiders' recent struggles at cornerback. With more upgrades having been made this offseason, it appears someone significant name is going to have to get the ax.

That would be McDonald, who simply doesn't have the tools to get the job done at this point.

Through two seasons, the former Jayhawk has seen the field in only 12 games. During that time, he's racked up a measly 7 total tackles. Most of his time has been spent playing special teams, as evidenced by the five defensive snaps he saw in 2016. Even when starters Sean Smith and David Amerson struggled, the Raiders didn't see McDonald as a feasible alternative.

Adding Gareon Conley to the mix will only make it more difficult for him to earn snaps. More accurately, it'll make it more difficult for McDonald to make the roster. He's on the roster bubble right now, and will likely find himself looking for work elsewhere before Week 1 rolls around.

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4. Gabe Holmes, TE

It's been a long road for Gabe Holmes up to this point. After going undrafted and spending much of his time with the Raiders either injured or on the practice squad, he now faces the daunting task of earning a roster spot at one of the team's deepest positions.

Now that's not to say it's impossible. While the Raiders have plenty of capable options at tight end, only one or two of them seems like a lock to make the roster. Jared Cook will obviously start the year atop the depth chart, and most assume Lee Smith will stick around due to his blocking prowess.

That leaves Holmes to battle with a few other hopefuls for one or two more roster spots. Beating out players like Clive Walford, Cooper Helfet and Ryan O'Malley won't be easy, though.

The Raiders invested a third-round pick in Walford two years ago, and will likely keep him around for at least one more season before deciding his future. Helfet is an experienced veteran option, which gives him a sizable advantage over Holmes. O'Malley is essentially in the same boat, but appeared ahead of Holmes in the pecking order a season ago.

Unless something suddenly clicks for Holmes, it appears his time in Oakland is running out. I wouldn't completely count him out of the race, but he hasn't shown enough yet to convince me he can beat out the others for a spot on the 53-man roster.

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3. Taiwan Jones, RB

Honestly, I'm rather shocked Taiwan Jones is still on the roster to begin with. He was a busted fourth-round pick back in 2011, and I don't think that'll suddenly change in 2017. Then again, he's stuck around this long…

Either way, the odds appear to be against him heading into training camp. The Raiders already have their starter in Marshawn Lynch, a young power back in Elijah Hood, and two quality change-of-pace backs in DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard. That leaves little room for more running backs on this Oakland roster.

Now we can try to find a reason to believe he can still provide value. Maybe he could serve as a return man in 2017? It's possible, but the signing of Cordarrelle Patterson seems to have that covered. Richard also handled return duties as a rookie, and should get an opportunity to do so again this season. So it doesn't appear the return game is an option for Jones.

The Raiders already tried him at cornerback earlier in his career, and that was a fail. Maybe a switch to receiver could be an option? The 17 receptions in six seasons would suggest that's not really his forte, though.

I know Jones has tremendous speed, and offers mild value on special teams. At some point, though, Oakland needs to admit he wasn't worth the mid-round selection and throw in the towel. It hasn't happened yet, but there's a good chance it will before training camp is over.

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2. Denico Autry, DE

Let's be honest — nothing is settled along the Oakland defensive line at this point. However, based on the way the group played in 2016, it wouldn't be surprising if a couple of notable names were shown the door this offseason.

Obviously Khalil Mack and Mario Edwards Jr. are safe. Jihad Ward is also a lock despite putting together a miserable effort during his rookie season. A bulked-up Shilique Calhoun could also contribute with his hand in the dirt in 2017. That means it should come down to a few players for the final spot on the defensive end depth chart.

That's why I believe Denico Autry is firmly on the roster bubble right now. The odds aren't necessarily in favor of him getting cut, but he will receive plenty of competition for his spot on the roster. The only thing leaning in his favor is the fact that his main competitors are youngsters such as Treyvon Hester and Branden Jackson.

While Autry is far more established than the others, he's coming off a putrid 2016 campaign. He was utterly ineffective, failing to make a significant impact despite seeing 742 defensive snaps. After what he put on film last season, it's safe to say he'll be on notice during training camp.

Chances are Autry makes the roster, but a poor next couple of months may change that. If one of the youngsters proves themselves more capable of filling a backup role at defensive end, don't be surprised to see the Mississippi State product sent packing–especially since his release would create no dead cap space for the Raiders.

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1. Seth Roberts, WR

Last season, Seth Roberts served as the Raiders' No. 3 receiver. And while he didn't do the worst job possible, he certainly didn't live up to the hype after catching on as an undrafted free agent in 2015.

With Cordarrelle Patterson now in the mix, Oakland will be searching for competition for that No. 3 gig behind Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. There's a very good chance they'll find it during training camp, especially with some of the reports we've heard on Patterson's performance during minicamp (via the Las Vegas Review-Journal).

So if Patterson shows some of that electric play that made him a first-round pick, could Roberts become expendable? Well it would take more than that, but it is a possibility. The Raiders currently possess a number of intriguing receiver prospects, including K.J. Brent and Johnny Holton. If one or both stands out during training camp, maybe Oakland decides to move on from Roberts.

No matter how you feel about Roberts, we must all admit that he's far from a reliable No. 3 option. He's flashed potential at times, but seems to disappear far too often. Patterson should outshine him during training camp, essentially forcing him to beat out young options for the final spot or two on the receiver depth chart.

Will he end up getting cut? Probably not. That, however, doesn't mean he isn't on the roster bubble right now. And with no guaranteed money in 2017, the Raiders could cut the cord without taking on any dead cap space. Sounds like the potential is there for Roberts to be handed his walking papers.