Oakland Raiders: 5 Of The Team’s Biggest X-Factors In 2015
By Kevin Saito
Aug 15, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Rod Streater (80) attempts to elude Detroit Lions safety Jerome Couplin (46) at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
It seems almost inconceivable that Streater, at one time, was building himself up to be the Raiders’ number one receiver. Coming off a 2013 season in which he caught 888 yards on 60 catches – and that with Terrelle Pryor, Matt Flynn, and Matt McGloin throwing to him – Streater looked poised to take his game to another level and be the sort of dominant receiver the Raiders haven’t had since Randy Moss wore the Silver and Black.
Of course, with the QB situation in Oakland resolved in 2014, and the Raiders finally have some stability at the position, Streater went right out and got hurt three games into the 2014 season. He did not return to the field in 2014.
This offseason, the Raiders acquired Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree to beef up their receiving corps, and in the process, seem to have shuffled Streater down the depth chart. It seems crazy that Streater, who was positioned to be the team’s number one, is now the number two or three at best.
If the camp battle turns out as many seem to expect, and Crabtree is starting on the outside along with Cooper, Streater then becomes a very intriguing piece in the Raiders’ offense. He can play inside or out. He can stretch the field. He can catch over the middle. He can challenge the defense’s top cornerbacks. And if he plays in the slot, he can absolutely destroy the defenses third and fourth tier cornerbacks.
If the Raiders do as OC Bill Musgrave says they’re going to do, they will be running some no-huddle, up-tempo, multi-receiver sets. They’ll sometimes be rolling out three and four receivers at a time in certain situations.
And that’s where Streater is going to be one of Oakland’s biggest offensive X-Factors.
He has the ability of a number one, and if he plays the slot, he’s going to be matching up with corners who are lower on the depth chart, and the starters will have their hands full with Cooper and Crabtree. Which will leave Streater plenty of opportunities to make some plays.
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