Over the years, the Oakland Raiders have lacked that marquee top receiving threat and 2014 is really no different. In desperate need of offensive stability, the Raiders began to achieve that by acquiring Matt Schaub and drafting Derek Carr. They added another strong running back in Maurice Jones-Drew, but still have uncertainty in their receiving corps. After a few free agency moves, could Oakland now have some competition that could force one player to get traded?
The Raiders have their 2013 leading receiver, Rod Streater, returning, He put up 888 yards and four touchdowns while playing under three different quarterbacks. They signed James Jones in free agency and after a strong campaign with the Green Bay Packers, there is high hopes that he can truly step in and be a deep threat. However, they also added Greg Little who was recently released by the Cleveland Browns and he intends to bring some competition into the mix.
While speaking on Sirius XM NFL Radio, Little noted that he is ready to excel under the arm of Schaub and is ready to prove he is as talent as many thought he was when drafted. Little has strong with consistency in his career with 21 drops over three seasons, but that can also be chalked up to quarterback inconsistency. Little is not worried.
"This league is built on consistency, performing at a high level for all the time," Little said. "Those players are looked at as the top guys. I remember (then offensive coordinator Norv Turner) saying that's the type of guy you want to be. You want people to know what you're going to be week in and week out. I believe that's what I've lacked in my career so far. I've had flashes of being that talent that many teams want."
Little will get that in Oakland. The Raiders have stressed that Schaub is the No. 1 guy while Carr and Matt McGloin will compete as backups. Little will challenge the remaining receivers for a starting spot. with Jones on the field, Streater, Andre Holmes and Denarius Moore will battle for the remaining spots. If Little looks strong in camp could a trade of one player be the end result?
Like Little, Moore has struggled with consistent play. He has a similar issue of dropped passes and head coach Dennis Allen has called him out as a player that needs to step up in the upcoming season. Rumored to be on the market, could Moore get traded if Little excels?
Several teams are still eyeing a wide receiver option. The New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers have still been following potential options. Trades for leading receivers like Andre Johnson and Mike Wallace have been denied up until now which could make Moore a favorable deal. He will not be as expensive as Johnson and Wallace, but could be a talent at the arm of a top quarterback.
Oakland will not make any immediate moves. Allen will wait and see how players develop at the start of OTAs and training camp, but the Raiders could be holding one last trade card in the back of their pocket before the season begins. Depth at the wide receiver position could work in their favor.
