The Oakland Raiders have Amari Cooper set to be a starter for Derek Carr as a rookie this season and players like Rod Streater, Michael Crabtree and Andre Holmes are in the mix at wide receiver, while Trent Richardson and Latavius Murray are expected to compete to start in training camp at running back for 2015.
The Raiders have made a number of moves this offseason to try and improve, including by bringing in Jack Del Rio as head coach. Del Rio was running the defense for the Broncos and he is expected to help shore up that unit, while the offense also is in need of a boost. Cooper was taken with the fourth overall pick and now the team has high expectations for the wide receiver coming out of Alabama. Both Rod Streater and quarterback Derek Carr have had praise for Cooper this offseason, as the wideout has reportedly looked very good in OTAs and minicamp workouts.
The Raiders now are heading towards training camp and this is an important time for the team, as Carr is coming back after dealing with a hand injury earlier in the offseason. Carr missed some crucial time with Cooper and other new players like Michael Crabtree and Clive Walford and now he will get the chance to play with the full first team offense. According to CSN Bay Area, Carr organized workouts with the team ahead of training camp and a number of players participated in the practices, including Rod Streater, Michael Crabtree, Andre Holmes, Mychal Rivera and Kenbrell Thompkins.
Carr said that it was a great "refresher" and added that it was good "timing" with training camp just a couple weeks away. Cooper is a sure thing in the starting lineup for the Raiders and camp should give Del Rio an idea of how he wants to use his receivers. Crabtree was signed in the offseason as a free agent and could be a threat to start, while Streater is looking to bounce back after dealing with an injury in 2014.
Streater comes in after playing in just three games last season and he is looking to stay healthy for the duration this year. According to CSN Bay Area, Streater had "explosiveness" back in offseason workouts and he could be an option to start at the number 3 WR spot behind Cooper and Crabtree this season. Cooper comes in after a monster season at Alabama and if he gets a hold of NFL speed quickly, he should be the number one starter in Week 1. Streater had just nine catches last season and that came after his best year in 2013 with 60 catches for 888 yards.
The running back battle has Trent Richardson and Latavius Murray going at it and those players should have the most consideration to start this year. According to Bill Williamson at ESPN.com, Murray has the inside edge and "should" win out the starting job over Richardson. Richardson has had a couple down seasons with the Colts and he has to prove he can be an every down back again. Murray showed some flashes last season and if he stays healthy, he could be an option to start.
Check here for more on the Raiders, Streater and the RB battle.
