The Oakland Raiders have undergone one of the biggest transformations over the offseason and as the NFL draft approaches the team could continue on that track, especially on offense as there are a number of intriguing receivers in the draft that they could pick, including Tavon Austin, Robert Woods and Ryan Swope as well as Tennessee's Cordarrelle Patterson.
According to NFL.com, one reason the team could be looking at wide receivers apart from cutting Bey is due to the DUI last month of Jacoby Ford. While the report says that the receiver will not be prosecuted for the crime, the team may want some insurance in case something else happens down the line.
The report says that Ford was speeding and was pulled over for having tinted windows and was arrested after failing field tests after the officer smelled alcohol on his breath. General manager Reggie McKenzie is a good evaluator of talent and he could go after one of the big name receivers in the draft to give Ford some competition and to let him know that more issues will not be tolerated.
The team released linebacker Rolando McClain this offseason after dealing with off the field issues over the past few seasons and if Ford doesn't shape up he could be gone as well. Some of the top names in the draft include Cordarrelle Patterson from Tennessee, Robert Woods from USC, Tavon Austin from West Virginia and Ryan Swope from Texas A&M.
Austin had a big season with Geno Smith at West Virginia and made 114 receptions for 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns while also rushing for over 600 yards to make him one of the most electrifying players in college football. He caught 101 passes for 1,186 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior and has blazing fast speed, making him a possible first round option.
Patterson is considered a solid athlete as well and after making 46 receptions for 778 yards and five touchdowns and rushing for over 300 yards, he too could be a first round option for teams. Swope is blazing fast and after working with Johnny Manziel to set school records with 89 receptions and 1,207 yards, he could also be a high pick and a nice fit for the Raiders.
Keenan Allen of Cal is also an intriguing prospect, as is Robert Woods, who starred with Matt Barkley at USC. The wideout made 65 catches for 792 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman before adding 76 receptions for 846 yards and 11 touchdowns last season and he could be the top slot option in the draft.
The Raiders went just 4-12 last season and were ranked eighth in passing yards per game, mostly due to the fact that they had to play from behind and were depleted at running back. The team lost leading receiver Brandon Myers to the Giants in free agency and need to make up for the production somehow.