As the Oakland Raiders kick off their mandatory minicamp this week, it is becoming quickly apparent that the wide receiver corps is the most improved position group on the field.
Last year, the Raiders were ranked 26th overall in passing yards. Andre Holmes led the team with 693 receiving yards, while James Jones led the team with 73 receptions. It was time for a drastic overhaul.
Oakland Raiders Receiving Corps Most Improved Position
Gone already is Jones, having been released by the team on May 4th. Holmes looks to be battling to be the number four or five receiver. Brought in is Michael Crabtree, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, and prized rookie Amari Cooper. With a healthy Rod Streater returning from a foot injury, this position looks to be greatly improved.
Says Head Coach Jack Del Rio of Cooper after selecting him in the first round of the 2015 draft, “Cooper is going to be a good player and is one of the most polished receivers to come out of college in years.”
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan recently wrote on Twitter “Early word on Raiders WR Amari Cooper, per team source: Real deal. Almost no mental errors. Runs great routes, consistent route runner.” So far during minicamp, Cooper has left some teammates in awe.
Another exciting addition to the team is that of Crabtree. If he can bounce back from a poor final season with the Niners, he will team with Cooper to give the Raiders a dangerous tandem on the outside. So far in minicamp he has been catching everything thrown at him. Returning veteran Streater, who was lost to injury early last season, will push Crabtree for a starting role, but will also fit in nicely as the third receiver. Streater was just starting to form some chemistry with quarterback Derek Carr before being injured, and was Oakland’s number one wide receiver when he went down.
Rounding out the final spots at the position are Andre Holmes, Brice Butler, and Kenbrell Thompkins. Holmes certainly looks the part at 6’4″and 210 pounds and has the speed to stretch the field. He is just simply too inconsistent at times though. His strength is going deep and out jumping defenders for the ball. This skill set can still be utilized as the number four receiver. Butler just hasn’t had a chance to prove himself as a regular contributor and looks to start the year as the number five receiver. He has shown flashes though and could make a push to make a larger contribution. Thompkins, a midseason addition last year, saw increased playing time in 2014.
An intriguing player to watch is rookie undrafted free agent Josh Harper. Harper played with Derek Carr at Fresno State during the 2013-14 season, and totaled 79 receptions for 1,011 yards and 13 touchdowns.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Raiders carry six receivers this year with Cooper, Crabtree, Streater, Holmes, Butler, and Thompkins making the final roster. Harper looks to be a sure bet to make the practice squad.
This is the most talented and deepest the Raiders have been at the position for quite a few years. Coaches have been raving about these players during minicamp, and combined with Derek Carr entering his second season, the team should be looking to drastically improve on it’s poor final passing ranking in 2014.
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