3 Raiders Players to Keep Tabs on During Preseason Week 1 Matchup With Rams

The media might be squared in on head coach Jon Gruden and superstar wide receiver Antonio Brown's impromptu Mr. Freeze impression that has knocked him out of action for a while, but the Oakland Raiders have plenty of intriguing young players worth keeping an eye on. As they prepare to take on the defending NFC champion Los Angeles Rams, these three players could either start emerging as stars or flop on a national stage.

3. OT Kolton Miller

Almost everyone who paid attention to the 2018 draft thought that the Raiders using the No. 15 overall pick on UCLA tackle Kolton Miller was a massive reach. In his rookie season, he proved them emphatically right, struggling mightily and grading as one of Pro Football Focus' worst offensive lineman in the league. Can he learn from his mistakes and start to tap into his vast reservoir of potential? Well, with Tom Cable coaching him, some have their doubts.

2. WR Hunter Renfrow

Renfrow raised some eyebrows when he appeared as the Raiders' starting slot wide receiver on their initial depth chart, with Mr. Big Chest and Tyrell Williams as the top two outside receivers. His meteoric rise in camp from fifth-round pick to starting slot receiver is impressive, but we need to see him with his feet to the fire against the Rams before Gruden's eye-popping decision can be justified.

1. DE Clelin Ferrell

While Ferrell was a lock to be a first round pick, the Raiders passing on players like Josh Allen or Brian Burns to take the former Clemson edge rusher at No, 4 was certainly an odd move. Against one of the best offensive lines in the league, Ferrell can finally start proving that he wasn't a reach. He's got the pass rush moves, explosion, and demeanor to do so, but we need to see him put it into practice.