Oakland Raiders: Three-Way Race For The Fifth Receiver Spot
![OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 02: Oakland Raiders fans in the Black Hole cheer on their team during their game against the New England Patriots at O.co Coliseum on October 2, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 02: Oakland Raiders fans in the Black Hole cheer on their team during their game against the New England Patriots at O.co Coliseum on October 2, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/4e60ab8006cbbb53111adca4340fefb779c29b870f51d1bb43f3eba370d9c8b4.jpg)
These three players each have advantages over the others in what they bring to the table:
Size: Advantage KJ BrentQuickness: Advantage Jaydon Mickens
Speed : Advantage Johnny Holton
Experience
After securing the fifth receiver spot last year and being productive with his opportunities on the field, Johnny Holton certainly has a leg-up in this three-way race.
Though he is listed as the third team wide receiver on the Raiders’ unofficial depth chart released in early August, according to Levi Damien of SB Nation, Holton has been running consistently with the second team and even first teams in training camp.
Head coach Jack Del Rio acknowledged at an August first press conference, however, that both Brent and Mickens are “doing a great job” and are “in the mix.”
If the two outsiders can make some splash plays in the preseason, especially on special teams, they can force the coaching staff to think twice before automatically riding with Holton.
Next: 7 Things To Watch Against Cardinals
All three players should see plenty of playing time against the Cardinals on Saturday. Furthermore, with the NFL owners deciding this past spring to eliminate the first roster cut-down period before the final preseason game, Mickens and Brent will have four full games to make a strong impression.
The Raiders have such a talented wide receiver group in 2017 that there will certainly be at least two solid receivers on the outside looking in. Who will be the one with a seat at the table?
Make your voice heard in the comments section below!