Michael Crabtree and Trent Richardson have not had the NFL careers they were projected to entering the NFL Draft. Both players were highly touted prospects that have seen more lows than highs in their short time as professionals. Crabtree and Richardson found themselves on the market this offseason and after failing to ink long-term contracts, ended up on the Oakland Raiders getting a second chance. Will either player be able to make the most of it as Oakland looks to bring in more talent for competition?
Crabtree sat on the market for months hoping to get a long-term contract worth $4 million per season. That deal never came. Instead, the wide receiver settled on a one-year deal with the Raiders and expectations to improve in 2015. Currently battling in the wide receiver rotation, Crabtree is making it clear he is not the player every claims he is.
"I have a lot to prove," Crabtree said, via the San Francisco Chronicle. "A lot to prove. Ain't got nothing to lose and have a lot to prove. I'm here. Guys want me and need me. I talked to the coach. He wants me and needs me. I feel comfortable. I can't wait to go play."
With the No. 4 pick in the NFL Draft, the Raiders could very well select either Amari Cooper or Kevin White in the first round. The top rookie would pair with returning leading receivers James Jones and Andre Holmes. That means Crabtree is not a lock to start or even make the roster. The wide receiver is coming off two years of no explosion on the field and locker room issues of it. If Crabtree intends on being a player to elevate Derek Carr, he needs to prove that type of stuff is just talk.
Richardson is another player entering a competition for a roster spot. The running back was signed after getting released by the Indianapolis Colts following a roller coaster stint with the team. Richardson will now battle Latavius Murray and Roy Helu for playing time. Head coach Jack Del Rio made it clear he has confidence in Richardson and his ability to bounce back to the player he was in college. Richardson is hopeful he can prove that correct.
"It's a fresh start," Richardson said, via AL.com. "It's really just getting back to being myself. Like coach always tells me: Don't talk about what you could have done and should have done. Just get back to the love of the game and having fun. For me, it's just getting better every day. Strengthen my skills, clean up a lot of stuff because you can always get better. For me, I'm taking it one day at a time right now."
