By Joe Hawkes-Beamon

AP photo: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr appearing in photo at the 2016 Pro Bowl in February at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu throwing for Team Rice is prepared for Friday night’s game in Arizona the first pre season game for the Raiders

OAKLAND — The Raiders will finally be able to see a different color jersey in training camp, as they travel to the Valley of the Sun to open the 2016 NFL preseason schedule against the Arizona Cardinals Friday night.

Typically in the preseason, the starters play an a series or two to get their feet wet, so don’t expect key Raiders players like quarterback Derek Carr, wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper to be on the field for too long.

And why would you want those guys on the field in a preseason game that is, in all honesty, a meaningless game?

Or defensive linchpin Khalil Mack, who is primed to have a monster of a season, why should he even step on the field?

I expect those guys to be ready for the season and if they don’t play against the Cardinals, I wouldn’t be upset.

What I do expect is to see a lot of the draft picks that general manager Reggie McKenzie has stock-piled for Oakland that will serve as it’s depth this to get the bulk of the work. Rookies like quarterback Connor Cook, running back DeAndre Washington, safety Karl Joseph, and defensive tackle Jihad Ward should see significant time against Arizona.

Washington, Joseph, and Ward have all taken snaps with both the offensive and defensive first teams during training camp and have wowed coaches and teammates.

Arizona, who are one of the preeminent favorites to win the Super Bowl this year after falling short last year to the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship game, still features former Raiders players in quarterback Carson Palmer and offensive tackle Jared Veldheer, to go along  with the ageless Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd at wide receiver.

Kickoff is set for 7:05 PDT at University of Phoenix Stadium.