Oakland Raiders: Five Veterans Who Are Most Likely To Be Pink-Slipped

Seth Roberts (WR)

*cue the howls of outrage, the insult cannon, as well as the torch and pitchfork brigade*

Seth Roberts’ inclusion on this list is sure to draw the ire of many who have become big fans of Roberts over the last couple of seasons. And it’s easy to see why he’s developed some loyal and passionate fans. Roberts has provided some truly memorable moments in his time with this Oakland team. Who can forget plays like that game winner against Tampa Bay?

Unfortunately, like Reggie Nelson, Roberts has a propensity to make highligh reel plays followed up by a mind-numbingly terrible one. Drops have plagued Roberts his first two seasons in the league. Drops at incredibly inopportune times that have sometimes killed drives and killed momentum.

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More than anything though, it comes down to a numbers game with Roberts. Oakland is likely only going to carry five receivers on the 53-man roster. And it’s because of that, Roberts’ drops are going to factor in against him.

With Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree taking up the top two spots on the depth chart, the Raiders likely have just three spots open. The third spot is going to be occupied by Cordarrelle Patterson. You didn’t really think Oakland signed him to do nothing more than return kicks, did you?

Patterson’s speed and athleticism will create nightmares for defenders in the slot and it really would only be a matter of time before he began eating into Roberts’ targets anyway. OC Todd Downing is going to find ways to get Patterson involved with the offense and it will likely be as Oakland’s slot receiver.

That likely leaves just two spots on the roster up for grabs – and four, maybe five, very viable candidates for those two spots in Roberts, K.J. Brent, Jaydon Mickens, Johnny Holton, and a rookie with some big upside in Ishamael Zamora.

Oakland has an incredibly deep, incredibly talented slate of receivers fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster. And though Roberts truly is a fantastic talent, the drops are what is going to count against him – and will ultimately see his spot on the roster go to somebody else.