August 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) runs with the football against the St. Louis Rams during the first quarter in a preseason NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Keeping Six Receivers
Wide receiver was one of the most hotly contested camp battles for the Raiders. WithAmari Cooper,Michael Crabtree, andRod Streaterlocked into the top three spots on the roster, it was believed that the competition in camp was for two spots on the roster – many people believing the Raiders would only be carrying five receivers total.
That camp battle,as it turned out, was a good one. WithKenbrell Thompkins,Andre Holmes,Brice Butler,Josh Harper,Seth Roberts, and evenKris Durhamslugging it out for roster spots, everybody knew that somebody was going to get the boot. A few somebodies, actually.
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Thompkins was the first domino to fall as he failed to even make the official cut to 75, getting his pink slip along withTrent Richardson– which, as it turns out, is not very good company to keep. It also says that the decision to part with Thompkins wasn’t a particularly difficult one for the Raiders’ coaching staff to make.
With Butler having a strong summer, and Roberts really coming on over the exhibition season, everybody knew it was only a matter of time before Harper and Durham were handed their walking papers. And with Holmes, despite his experience, out with an injury, some believed that he was going to be the odd man out.
As it turns out – surprisingly so – the Raiders are keeping six receivers on the 53 man roster. With Cooper, Crabtree, Streater, Roberts, Butler, and Holmes, filling out Oakland’s receivers room, it gives the team a deep, talented receiving corps. But it also gives them a hell of a lot of receivers.
It’s surprising that the Raiders opted to keep six when that one extra roster spot could have gone to a bigger area of need. Or perhaps they’re going to use one of their many receivers as a trade chip at some point. This is the NFL, injuries happen, and the game is very unpredictable at times.
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