Oakland Raiders: Predicting The Team’s Final 53-Man Roster

Wide Receiver (5)

Starters: Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, Cordarrelle Patterson

Reserves: Seth Roberts, Johnny Holton

The problem with Oakland’s receiving group is simply that they have too much talent. They have so many great receiving options – and all of them pretty good – that they’re going to have to part with some very talented pass catchers.

We all know that the top two positions are already locked up – Cooper and Crabtree, of course. That dynamic duo has been lighting it up for the last couple of seasons and have been embarrassing plenty of defensive backs along the way.

Beyond those top two though, things are a little less clear. Some might think that Roberts has the edge as Oakland’s slot receiver, given his experience and familiarity with the system. But that’s not necessarily the case – Roberts does have a history of drops he’s got to prove he’s overcome.

The edge for that slot receiver position though, might go to free agent add Cordarelle Patterson. He adds a different dimension to Oakland’s offense and gives both Downing and Carr a very versatile weapon at their disposal.

Far from just being a gadget play guy, Patterson is showing that he’s building a strong rapport with Carr and is developing into a solid option in the passing game – as his touchdown against Dallas illustrated.

Roberts is a good option in the passing game and will likely make the roster based on his history with the team and rapport with Carr. But with Patterson’s presence, he might be bumped down a slot on the depth chart.

The battle for the fifth spot on the depth chart – it seems likely that the Raiders will carry just five – has been an entertaining one to watch. The edge though, has to go to Johnny Holton, who has some experience in the passing game, but has some very valuable experience on special teams – which is what gives him the nod for that final roster spot.