With The First Pick
Fansided

Oakland Raiders Now Made in Al Davis’ Image

By Carl Cockerham

Nov 15, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Members of the Armed Forces light a torch in honor of Al Davis before the start of the game between the Oakland Raiders and the Minnesota Vikings at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Members of the Armed Forces light a torch in honor of Al Davis before the start of the game between the Oakland Raiders and the Minnesota Vikings at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Amari Cooper (89) reacts after scoring on a 68-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens as at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Amari Cooper (89) reacts after scoring on a 68-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens as at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Speed at Receiver

The Raiders have had their share of possession receivers from Fred Biletnikoff to Bob Chandler to Mervin Fernandez in the past. Today, Michael Crabtree to make those key 3rd-down catches. But traditionally, it’s always been all about speed when playing receiver for the Raiders.

From Art Powell to Warren Wells to Cliff Branch, to Dokie Williams, to Willie Gault, to James Jett, the Raiders have had some of the fastest players in the NFL at the receiver position. Tim Brown, the Raiders all-time leading receiver, was even a speedster when he first got to the NFL.

Today, second-year receiver Amari Cooper actually reminds me a lot of Brown. He’s a do-it-all, No. 1 receiver that just so happens to have blazing, 4.35 40 speed. But in 2015 was he was  the only blazer on the team so when he hurt his foot, the Raiders speed and big-play ability was gone.

So the Raiders made it their business this offseason to add more speed to the receiver corps. Undrafted free agents Max McCaffrey, (4.36 pro day) and Marvin Hall, (4.28 pro day) and Nate Palmer 4.34 (2012) have been added. Add that to Cooper and you have a relay team.

Next: Big-Armed Quarterback

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