However, there is one group that will play a key role in determining how well the Raiders do this coming season. This group will benefit from having another year of experience, an offensive coordinator, and a new quarterback at helm.
That group is the wide receivers.
As of now, the Raiders have 11 receivers and possibly six spots open. Here is a short look at who they are and who might or might not make the cut.
Chaz Schilens
Schilens is one of our better receivers when healthy. He seemed poised to breakout last year until he broke his left foot in camp. He has great hands and always finds the field when he isn't injured. He had minor follow-up procedure to rehabilitate his foot, and if he can make it through camp and the preseason, he will be one of the starters.
Louis Murphy
Almost an instant fan favorite, Murphy has the skills and abilities to be a great receiver. He was a bit inconsistent, leading the team in drops, but making enough clutch catches to make us forget that last fact. He did fairly well his rookie year while Schilens was out and again when DHB was injured. It will be interesting to see how he performs if Schilens and DHB start, while he takes a lesser third receiver role.
Darrius Heyward-Bey
The most criticized of the Raiders receivers, DHB has a lot to prove this season. He was our seventh overall pick last year and critics think he will be the next big Raiders bust. He put up horrible numbers in comparison to other receivers drafted that year. In response, he has been putting in a lot of work this offseason to improve, with Cable taking notice. It might take him another year of work to get him to where he wants to be, but it's not impossible to do.
Johnnie Lee Higgins
Higgins used to occupy...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders