Oakland Raiders Offensive Depth Chart Preview
Wide Receiver: Amari Cooper (R), Michael Crabtree, Rod Streater, Kenbrell Thompkins, Andre Holmes, Brice Butler, Andre Debose
This position begins and ends with Amari Cooper. Cooper is immediately the Raiders’ best player at the receiver position, and yes, I realize they also acquired Michael Crabtree.
May 8, 2015; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Amari Cooper (89) catches a pass at rookie minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Cooper was my number one receiver in the draft, and I feel like he’s going to be a significant instant impact for this young Oakland team. Getting a weapon for Derek Carr was huge and vital to the success of this team, and getting Cooper is going to help him progress even more quickly.
I really liked the pick for Oakland, and I think it will translate to on-field success sooner rather than later.
We’d be remiss, though, if we didn’t consider the potential impact of the addition of Michael Crabtree from the 49ers.
Crabtree wasn’t hotly pursued when he left San Francisco, but the Raiders are hopeful he can return to 2012 form when he caught 85 passes with nine touchdowns and his only 1,000 yard season of his career. He struggled with injury in 2013, and came out in 2014 and produced fairly well all things considered.
He’s an intriguing addition.
Along with Cooper and Crabtree, you have Rod Streater who has been a playmaker when healthy. He played in just three games last year after catching 60 passes for 888 yards the year prior.
If Streater is healthy and good to go, the Raiders have a really solid 1-2-3 at the position, but there are plenty of question marks.
December 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes (18) is tackled by Buffalo Bills cornerback Ron Brooks (33) during the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Bills 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Andre Holmes actually led the team in receiving last season, and the 6-foot-4, 21o pound receiver returns this year as one who has built plenty of chemistry with Derek Carr. In all honesty, he might be higher on the depth chart to start things off than is Michael Crabtree, and he could be a really nice fantasy sleeper.
This is another interesting player that can create mismatches with his size and we saw at times last year (October against San Diego) that he can produce at a really high level.
Kenbrell Tompkins got let go from the Patriots at the worst possible time, but the Raiders were excited to pick up an intriguing young player at the position. He had a nice five catch, 90 yard performance against the Buffalo Bills in week 16 last year.
Brice Butler is another big receiver with some upside. He had a pair of touchdowns last season along with 14 first down catches on just 21 receptions.
Next: Tight Ends