The Oakland Raiders have more expectations on this season than ever before as young players begin to develop into potential super stars. Despite only winning a small sample of games last year, Derek Carr is viewed as the future of the franchise and the Raiders did a solid job of building around him as talent like Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree and Trent Richardson come in looking to make a difference. However, will their presence force other players out of a job come training camp.
The Raiders can only take 32 players into the regular season which means competition will be high for roster spots, especially on offense. According to ESPN's Bill Williamson, both Cooper and Crabtree have solidified their starting spots for 2015. Cooper comes in as the first-round draft pick following a Heisman-nominated season with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Head coach Jack Del Rio has already made the prediction that Cooper will get his share of touchdowns next season while Crabtree is the savvy veteran. He signed in free agency looking for a second chance in the league and making the most of it through two stints of practices with the Raiders.
According to Bleacher Report, players like Brice Butler, Rod Streater and Andre Holmes are in jeopardy of not making the team as younger players like Josh Harper and Austin Willis have impressed as undrafted free agents. The Raiders like what they see in the young stars which means returning players have to prove they can keep up. Streater does not sound concerned about the added competition saying that he is eager to return to full form and guide the younger stars.
"[Cooper] adds an explosiveness to the offense," Butler said, via the team website. "I feel like he is going to come in and make an impact right away. I was excited. More guys to take the defense off of guys like me, [Michael] Crabtree, 'Dre' [Andre Holmes], whoever is out there. So, the more playmakers you have, the better you are going to be, and he is really going to help us win. I feel like to whole receiving group is complete. You can put us on the outside, put us in the slot. I feel like we really don't miss a beat. We can play outside, in, it really doesn't matter - we are all interchangeable. So, I think that's going to add a strength to us when we get out there on the field."
Richardson is also battling returning star Latavius Murray for a starting spot along with the newly signed Taiwan Jones, Michael Dyer and Roy Helu. At least one of those players will not make the final roster considering Oakland will also work in Marcel Reece at the fullback spot. Richardson and Murray will be there Week 1 as Helu, Dyer and Taiwan Jones battle it out.
