The Oakland Raiders were one of the most active teams in the offseason this year and one reason was due to the fact that general manager Reggie McKenzie had to dig the team out of a tough financial situation and he added some very cheap talent in the draft, as Latavius Murray, Nick Kasa, Brice Butler and Tyler Wilson all give the Raiders a bright offensive future.
The team has a new quarterback in Matt Flynn and he needs some weapons as he is starting for the first time in his career after the team traded away Carson Palmer and acquired Flynn from the Seahawks. The team has Darren McFadden, but after years of being unable to stay healthy, the team brought in Murray to help stabilize the running game. The wide receivers are expected to step up after McKenzie cut Darrius Heyward-Bey and now veterans Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore will be the elder statement.
Butler is expected to contribute right away as a third receiver and slot option, while Kasa will take over from Brandon Myers, who was fantastic while leading the team last season in receptions and yards with 79 catches for over 800 yards. McKenzie is overhauling the offensive line and that should help Flynn get comfortable in the pocket and he could put up some big numbers if McFadden can stay healthy to give the Raiders a more balanced attack. The team has done a good job in the past of getting wide receivers late in the draft and they may have done it again with Butler, who has the chance to be the sleeper and breakout player of the 2013 draft.
The team did it a few times with Denarius Moore and Rod Streater and now Butler comes out of the seventh round from San Diego State after playing three years at USC, where he did not factor in to things by logging just 41 receptions, 554 receiving yards and three touchdowns and while his numbers were low with 24 catches, 347 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2012, his potential has a great upside. The Raiders liked his speed and work ethic heading into the draft and he could end up making 40-50 catches in the offense.
Butler looked solid in minicamp and he will have to fight against a number of players on the roster for playing time in Streater, Jacoby Ford, Josh Cribbs, Juron Criner and Conner Vernon, but the Raiders will give him every chance to make an impression and he could end up in a starting role depending on if people ahead of him get injured, as that happened last season. Butler could end up being a big red zone threat as the season goes on.
The Raiders want more balance after ranking eighth in passing last season and 28th in rushing yards per game while dealing with injuries and if they can run the ball consistently, it should open things up in the passing game for Flynn. Wilson will be an option down the line in the future and the defense is expected to get better as well with the additions of Nick Roach, DJ Hayden, Charles Woodson, Mike Jenkins and Tracy Porter. The rookies should all contribute this season and while Murray will be behind McFadden, if he gets hurt he will have a chance to split time with Rashad Jennings.
