Rod Streater, arguably the best wide receiver on the Raiders at this point last year, has missed the first 11 practice sessions with an undisclosed illness. According to Streater, the illness isn’t only undisclosed – it’s as of yet undiagnosed.
“I’ve worked with the doctors for a while trying to figure out what was going on,” Streater told reporters after today’s practice. “As time went on I felt better, coaches worked me out, got me through the conditioning tests, decided I looked good and got me back out there. ”
He added, “Still working with the doctors, they don’t really know yet (what is wrong). In the future, once they find out, I’ll let you guys know.”
In Streater’s absence, new additions Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper have likely solidified themselves as the top two wideouts on the team, leaving Streater no better than the third option on the squad and even that is not a given; he will have to compete to earn the slot role in 2015.
The Raiders suddenly are looking at a surplus of talent at the wide receiver position and they are going to have make some difficult choices at the times for cuts, which are fast approaching.
Kenbrell Thompkins, who joined the team last year after being cut by the Patriots and claimed off waivers by Oakland, has been the most consistent third option behind Cooper and Crabtree and he is the biggest threat to win the slot position over Streater at this point.
Andre Holmes is also in the mix as a possible third wide receiver as long as he continues his recent trend of beating coverages and creating big passes down field. For me, his best fit will be as a rotational option outside, where he can use his speed and length on the outside of the field to create big plays downfield.
UDFA Seth Roberts, who had a very good game playing as a backup versus the Rams last Friday, is another possibility to work his way up as the primary slot receiver. Roberts actually had some limited time with the first unit today, ostensibly due to catching the coaches’ eye with his solid play during the teams’ first preseason game. He seems the least likely to me based on limited experience but his ascent during practice has been noted and it’s indirect relation to the work he’s put in.
The team also has Brice Butler, another tall and fast receiver who has struggled with some fumbles in camp and also seems to do well every preseason before disappearing in the regular season. He is competing with Roberts and some of the other players on the squad for a position on the final team.
If Trindon Holliday makes the final squad it’s unlikely he’ll do much as a receiver but he can serve as an emergency option if needed. At only 5’5″, he would not be a good fit outside but could serve as a slot receiver for the team. I do think he has a good shot of making the team because he is the best returner on the squad at this point and that has been a position of need for some time.
Finally, towering Kris Durham has made a number of outstanding plays at camp and at 6’6″ has the size to create mismatches with opposing cornerbacks if he makes the team. He’s a darkhorse candidate because there is decent talent in front of him but he does have a shot over the following weeks.
Not all of these players will make the final squad but they are the front runners at this point. The Raiders have improved more at WR than any other position over the offseason and will have to make some tough decisions about who they want to keep to build their team in 2015.
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