Oakland Raiders: Five Players Under The Most Pressure To Produce Now
By Kevin Saito
Dec 7, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes (18) is unable to control the ball against San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
With the addition of Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, as well as the return of Rod Streater, wide receiver has become a position of depth and strength for the Raiders. For players like Andre Holmes, Kenbrell Thompkins, and Brice Butler, there is no more hiding behind Oakland’s lack of viable targets for Derek Carr.
Holmes stepped up last season and led the team in receiving yards with 693 on 47 receptions. However, he also had a frustrating number of drops. With his size (6’5”, 208 lbs), Holmes has the ability to get up for the jump balls. He has decent speed and make some tremendously athletic plays.
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Unfortunately, he can also be mind numbingly inconsistent. He oftentimes runs poor routes or just flat drops very catchable balls. His 47 receptions last season came on 99 targets, and among those are a very good number of balls he should have caught.
This is likely Holmes’ last chance. If he can produce in camp and through the preseason and show that he’s addressed his consistency problems, he will likely be the number four receiver behind Cooper, Crabtree, and Streater. If he can’t, he may find himself out of chances and out of Oakland.
Next: Menelik Watson