5 Raiders position battles to watch in final preseason game vs Patriots

Tonight will be the last game action for many Raiders players. The roster currently sits at 80 players and will be trimmed to 53 in a few days. This final preseason matchup will be for a roster spot for some and to try and earn playing time for others.

Here are the five position battles you should be watching tonight:

Guard: Dylan Parham vs John Simpson

Simpson is the incumbent starter at left guard. But even last season when he got the job, it was due to the injury to Richie Incognito. Then this offseason, the Raiders made Parham their top pick in the third round with the hopes that he could contribute early at guard as well as be depth at center.

Lately, Parham has seen first team action at left guard ahead of Simpson, including starting last week’s preseason game in Miami. Keep an eye on who takes the field first and how each performs. Parham seems to be moving in on the job, but it may not be a sure thing just yet.

Defensive tackle: Kyle Peko vs Andrew Billings

With the starters figuring to be Bilal Nichols and Johnathan Hankins and two drafted rookies in Neil Farrell Jr and Matthew Butler, either Peko or Billings could end up getting the short end of the stick, because they aren’t keeping six defensive tackles on the active roster.

Again, keep an eye on who takes the field first and then how they perform. Neither has separated himself and become the obvious favorite. Today could go a long way to making that decision.

Defensive end: Clelin Ferrell vs Kendal Vickers

The former top pick vs the former undrafted free agent. They both have some position versatility, with the ability to play at 5-tech DE and 3-tech DT. Ferrell would hurt the most financially to cut, but there’s no sense in keeping him for that reason alone. If he’s not getting it done, he needs to go.

Up to this point, Ferrell has been injured. He returned this week, giving him this last game to show what he’s got. He will go against mostly second and third team guys, and based on his former draft status, he *should* dominate those matchups. Then again, the fact that we are even talking about him potentially losing his job to Vickers tells you all you need to know.

Cornerback: Darius Phillips vs Amik Robertson

Unless the Raiders keep six cornerbacks, one of these guys has to go. Phillips was signed this offseason while Robertson is a former fourth round pick. Both carry hopes of having the ability to play a reserve role both at slot and outside cornerback.

Phillips has…