Here are your 2019 Raiders . . . well, pretty close, anyway

ALAMEDA — For the most part, what you see is what you get.

The draft is over and the Raiders, as well as every other team in the NFL, absolutely loves their picks. Same with the free agent class.

There will be tinkering throughout the offseason and training camp and all the way up to putting together a 53-man roster, but most of the names listed below will make up the 2019 Raiders as put together by coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock.

It’s a better team, no doubt, and it would just about have to be considering last season’s 4-12 record. They’re younger and faster. We won’t know how much better until the season begins to play out on Monday night, September 9 when the Denver Broncos visit the Coliseum.

The road begins this weekend with a rookie minicamp.

A look at each position group and the battles ahead:

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACKS (4): Starter–Derek Carr. Backups–Mike Glennon, Nathan Peterman, Landry Jones.

Jumping to conclusions

— It’s Carr’s team. Always was. But the whole Kyler Murray-Dwayne Haskins thing was fun while it lasted, I guess. The whole offseason was about getting Carr a better supporting cast.

— Glennon is the favorite to emerge as the backup, but keep in mind Gruden didn’t like any of his backup options a year ago (Connor Cook, E.J. Manuel) and traded for A.J. McCarron.

RUNNING BACKS (6): Starters–RB Josh Jacobs, FB Keith Smith. RB Isaiah Crowell, RB Jalen Richard, RB DeAndre Washington, RB Chris Warren III. Unconfirmed undrafted signing: FB Alex Ingold.

Jumping to conclusions

— Jacobs could be the best all-around Raiders back since Marcus Allen. There, I said it.

— Crowell is a steady, move-the-chains option if Jacobs struggles with the load of NFL full-time duty after splitting time at Alabama.

— Richard fancies himself as a complete back, and a pretty good one. But it’s likely his “satellite” role will continue and he’ll be mostly a receiver.

— Warren led the entire NFL with 292 rushing yards in preseason a year ago, but keep in mind the top rushers each preseason rarely make the team.

— Look for Ingold to give a serious challenge to Smith, especially if he’s equally adept at special teams.

WIDE RECEIVERS (9): Starters–Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams. Backups–J.J. Nelson, Ryan Grant, Marcell Ateman, Hunter Renfrow, Keon Hatcher, Saaed Blacknall, Dwayne Harris. Unconfirmed undrafted signings: WR Keelan Doss.

Jumping to conclusions

— One of the most dramatic upgrades in position group talent and skill you’ll see from top to bottom in one season.

— It’s follow the leader in Brown, and expect that his new surroundings will make for a pretty smooth ride in his first season with the Raiders and their last in Oakland. Things could get more “interesting” in Las Vegas.

— Williams fully understands what Brown can do for him as a quality No. 2 and in terms of of an even-keeled personality complements him perfectly.

— Never mind the ‘X’ or `Z’ designations. In Gruden’s system, receivers are expected to know both outside positions as well as the slot.

— Nelson, Grant and Renfro will compete to see who gets the No. 3 role.

— Don’t be surprised if Doss mounts a challenge to make the 53-man roster.

TIGHT ENDS (6): Starters–Lee Smith, Darren Waller. Backups–Derek Carrier, Paul Butler, Foster Moreau, Luke Willson.

Jumping to conclusions

— Smith is the in-line, old-school, dirty work tight end. Caught only 10 passes last year, but three were for touchdowns.

— Waller gets first shot at being the receiving tight end. There’s a ton of skill and potential there and precious little experience. An opportunity, as they say.

— Carrier never emerged as the “joker” Gruden hoped last season. He gets another chance.

— Moreau fits in with the rest of the class as an off-the-charts character guy. Guessing special teams coach Rich Bisaccia has a role in mind.

OFFENSIVE LINE (12): Starters–LT Kolton Miller, LG Gabe Jackson, C Rodney Hudson, RG Denzelle Good, RT Trent Brown. Backups–T Brandon Parker, T David Sharpe, T Justin Murray, T Jamar McGloster, G-C Jordan Devey, G-T Denver Kirkland, G Chaz Green. Unconfirmed undrafted free agent signings: G Lester Cotton, T Andre James.

Jumping to conclusions

— The left and right designations are a projection, because the guess here is Miller gets a crack at proving he can play left tackle after weathering a difficult rookie season and and playing through a knee injury. The Raiders aren’t saying.

— If the Raiders had landed Ndmukong Suh in 2014, they never would have gotten Hudson aboard. They wound up with the better player by a considerable margin.

— Whichever side Brown lines up on, look for the Raiders to be very good in short-yardage. A terrific power blocker for Jacobs.

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINE (13): Starters–DE Clelin Ferrell, DT Justin Ellis, DT Maurice Hurst, DE Arden Key. Backups–DE Josh Mauro, DE Maxx Crosby, DE Benson Mayowa, DE Alex Barrett, DE Quinton Bell, DT P.J. Hall, DT Johnathan Hankins, DT Eddy Vanderdoes, DT Gabe Wright.

Jumping to conclusions

— It won’t be 13 sacks again, but merely doubling that would still be a huge disappointment.

— Ferrell’s No. 4 selection will be much discussed — right up to the point where he gets double digit sacks and then it will be mostly forgotten. If he doesn’t . . . well, keep in mind Khalil Mack had four sacks as a rookie.

— Passing on Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver was because of the presence of Hurst and Hall.

— Fewer snaps and better depth should help Key get an actual sack or or two. Make it seven or eight, with Crosby chipping in, and who knows? The Raiders could get to 35-plus this season.

LINEBACKERS (8): Starters–WLB Tahir Whitehead, MLB Vontaze Burfict, SLB Brandon Marshall. Backups–OLB Nicholas Morrow, MLB Jason Cabinda, MLB-SLB Marquel Lee, OLB Kyle Wilber, OLB James Cowser. Unconfirmed undrafted free agent signings: OLB Te’von Coney, OLB Koa Farmer.

Jumping to conclusions

— There’s concern Burfict is an ‘old’ 28 after his play with Cincinnati last season. Raiders don’t want another Derrick Johnson situation.

— Same goes for Marshall, and both signings could go either way. Sometimes there’s a good reason players are released while still under contract.

— Morrow started out as a Division III undrafted free agent and he’s had two years to get acclimated to the NFL. Time to either ascend or hang on.

SECONDARY (15): Starters–Gareon Conley (LCB), Daryl Worley (RCB), Johnathan Abram (SS), LaMarcus Joyner (FS). Backups–CB Trayvon Mullen, CB Nevin Lawson, CB Nick Nelson, CB Isaiah Johnson, CB Montrel Meander, DB Mackinton Dorleant, DB Rico Gafford, S Karl Joseph, S Erik Harris, S Jordan Richards, S Curtis Riley. Unconfirmed undrafted free agent signings: CB Dylan Mabin, CB Keisean Nixon.

Jumping to conclusions

— Other than wide receiver, no position group received such a substantial upgrade. Better coverage should also help the pass rush.

— After years of playing with older defensive backs, the Raiders top three corners are 23 (Conley), 24 (Worley) and 21 (Mullen). Abram is only 22 and is primed for a major role right away.

— Joyner has been compared by Gruden to Ronde Barber, who only happens to be one of his favorite players ever.

SPECIAL TEAMS

SPECIALISTS: Starters–PK Daniel Carlson, P Johnny Townsend, RS Dwayne Harris, LS Andrew DePaola. Backups–PK Eddy Pineiro, LS Trent Sieg, P Drew Kaser.

Jumping to conclusions

— Carlson was 16-for-17 on field goal attempts a year ago, but place kicking can be an off and on proposition. Pineiro hasn’t gone anywhere and this will be a legitimate competition going forward.

— It was clear as early as training camp Townsend had nowhere near the leg of predecessors Shane Lechler and Marquette King. Without some improved length to go with his directional skills, it’s conceivable the Raiders 2019 punter isn’t even on the roster yet.

— Harris is 32, but go ahead and assume that heads up scoop and score 99-yard punt return in Week 16 against Denver (plus his coverage skills) gives him a lot of equity.