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2015 Oakland Raiders Thread (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Raiderfan32904
- Start date
SDJohnny
Footballguy
http://nbcbayarea.csnbayarea.com/raiders/raiders-undrafted-free-agent-tracker-carr-reunites-harper
Chemistry between quarterback and receiver is key. Teammates take time to get in sync, especially with new players meeting for the first time.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr must get know several new faces, including Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree.
There is one newbee that won’t have to go through growing pains. That’s Fresno State receiver Josh Harper, who announced that he signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent.
He announced the agreement on Saturday on his Twitter page. Harper played three seasons with Carr under center, including a breakout 2013 campaign where he had 79 catches for 1,011 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The San Jose native was expected to be a fifth-or-sixth-round pick, and it was somewhat surprising that he went undrafted.
The Raiders will add several more undrafted free agents over the next 24 hours, in what is a mad dash to corral undrafted talent in search of a diamond in the rough.
“We’re in that process now,” Del Rio said shortly after the draft. “Finding undrafted free agents is an important time each year. There are always a few guys who stand out and make the team. We’re out there looking for those guys.”
Those names should come in slowly, and we’ll update this page when undrafted free agent signings are confirmed. Bookmark this page for updates.
Here’s a list of undrafted free agents, and the source providing the information:
QB Cody Fajardo, Nevada (personal Twitter account)
OLB/DE Josh Shirley, Washington (agent)
DT Leon Orr, Florida (agent)
WR Josh Harper, Fresno State (personal twitter account)
LB Jimmy Hall, Northwestern (Chicago Tribune)
OL Mictchell Bell, Louisiana Tech (agent)
DB Terrell Pinson, Louisiana Tech (school announcement)
CB Daniel Robertson, Brigham Young (personal Twitter account)
LB Jacoby Hale, Utah (school announcement)
QB Andrew Hendrix, Miami (Ohio) (agent)
Chemistry between quarterback and receiver is key. Teammates take time to get in sync, especially with new players meeting for the first time.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr must get know several new faces, including Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree.
There is one newbee that won’t have to go through growing pains. That’s Fresno State receiver Josh Harper, who announced that he signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent.
He announced the agreement on Saturday on his Twitter page. Harper played three seasons with Carr under center, including a breakout 2013 campaign where he had 79 catches for 1,011 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The San Jose native was expected to be a fifth-or-sixth-round pick, and it was somewhat surprising that he went undrafted.
The Raiders will add several more undrafted free agents over the next 24 hours, in what is a mad dash to corral undrafted talent in search of a diamond in the rough.
“We’re in that process now,” Del Rio said shortly after the draft. “Finding undrafted free agents is an important time each year. There are always a few guys who stand out and make the team. We’re out there looking for those guys.”
Those names should come in slowly, and we’ll update this page when undrafted free agent signings are confirmed. Bookmark this page for updates.
Here’s a list of undrafted free agents, and the source providing the information:
QB Cody Fajardo, Nevada (personal Twitter account)
OLB/DE Josh Shirley, Washington (agent)
DT Leon Orr, Florida (agent)
WR Josh Harper, Fresno State (personal twitter account)
LB Jimmy Hall, Northwestern (Chicago Tribune)
OL Mictchell Bell, Louisiana Tech (agent)
DB Terrell Pinson, Louisiana Tech (school announcement)
CB Daniel Robertson, Brigham Young (personal Twitter account)
LB Jacoby Hale, Utah (school announcement)
QB Andrew Hendrix, Miami (Ohio) (agent)
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Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
I'm wondering if they have another position in mind for Fajardo due to his athleticism. He's not close to being an NFL QB.
BustedKnuckles
Footballguy
Oakland Raiders: B+
Will the Raiders live to regret passing on Leonard Williams? Not if Amari Cooper is the dominant receiver they believe he can be, but that question will linger into the coming season. Tight end Clive Walford and linebacker Ben Heeney are less variable-reliant scores. Walford was the second-best tight end in this class behind Maxx Williams, and he can run or receive.
The Mario Edwards Jr. selection at No. 35 will draw mixed reviews. Many NFL scouts were wowed by his physical gifts and upside, while others were more hesitant to go all-in because Edwards was so inconsistent at Florida State. Count us in the latter category for the moment, though Edwards definitely fits a positional need.—CB
Will the Raiders live to regret passing on Leonard Williams? Not if Amari Cooper is the dominant receiver they believe he can be, but that question will linger into the coming season. Tight end Clive Walford and linebacker Ben Heeney are less variable-reliant scores. Walford was the second-best tight end in this class behind Maxx Williams, and he can run or receive.
The Mario Edwards Jr. selection at No. 35 will draw mixed reviews. Many NFL scouts were wowed by his physical gifts and upside, while others were more hesitant to go all-in because Edwards was so inconsistent at Florida State. Count us in the latter category for the moment, though Edwards definitely fits a positional need.—CB
Chadstroma
Footballguy
Plus, we have Carr. Brought in Ponder and they like McGloin (for whatever reason). They must be looking at him to move position or maybe just a camp arm?Raider Nation said:
Chadstroma
Footballguy
If both Williams and Cooper end up as advertised, I don't think you end up with any buyers remorse. I think Cooper is the 'safest' bet in the entire draft for a player that will be somewhere in the perenial pro bowl/all pro range kind of career. (as long as Carr develops further and is truly an NFL starter quality passer which I believe he is)BustedKnuckles said:
Raiderfan32904
Footballguy
Taking some time to digest this draft, other than Cooper, did the Raiders add even one starter to this team? I don't think so. I see a lot of reaches from round 2 on. Lot of talent passed over for Mario Edwards and Jose Feliciano. What started with a bang ended in loud dull thud.
Chadstroma
Footballguy
Are you down on Walford? From all reports he is clearly the second best TE in the draft and a pass catching, adding another weapon for Carr along with Cooper. I am not sure about the Edwards pick as whether he ends up playing DE or DT he does not seem to have any pass rushing ability in him- something we needed to add I felt along the line. All the othe picks, I just have not had time to research so I have no idea. But I am happy with Cooper and Walford at least.
Raiderfan32904
Footballguy
I'm ok with Walford. He wasn't a clear reach. But I don't see him usurping Rivera's starting role, least not counting it as automatic. If he can push Rivera, I'll eat crow, and remember my first gut reaction was that I liked the Walford pick. I get that Reggie trusted his scouts and he ended up getting "his guys". But he should have been aware that the he could have traded down, hoarded a ton of picks and still got his guys. We came into this draft with a ton of needs and IMO we still have a ton if needs.
massraider
Footballguy
I wasn't thrilled with any picks aside from Cooper and Walford. I would have preferred Smith or Digi over Edwards.
We took a lot of under the radar guys that the draft community wasn't excited about. What's that worth? Not much. It was easier to like Carr over Edwards (although there were a lot of people that didn't like that pick-still some that don't). Much easier to like Jackson over Feliciano too. Jackson was also early 3rd, Feliciano was late 4th.
As far as needs, every player was a need. We had no LBs, now we have a bunch. Ball looks like a medical redshirt, seems like he may have gone undrafted. Heeney looks like a player fans will fall in love with.
I like taking three edge guys. Valles and Ball are both pass rushers, looks like they want Edwards at DE as well.
Have to think Debose and Morris are PS-bound, Ball to IR.
Dexter McDonald looks like Carrie and McGill, late round corner with all the traits. Makes you wonder why he went so late.
We took a lot of under the radar guys that the draft community wasn't excited about. What's that worth? Not much. It was easier to like Carr over Edwards (although there were a lot of people that didn't like that pick-still some that don't). Much easier to like Jackson over Feliciano too. Jackson was also early 3rd, Feliciano was late 4th.
As far as needs, every player was a need. We had no LBs, now we have a bunch. Ball looks like a medical redshirt, seems like he may have gone undrafted. Heeney looks like a player fans will fall in love with.
I like taking three edge guys. Valles and Ball are both pass rushers, looks like they want Edwards at DE as well.
Have to think Debose and Morris are PS-bound, Ball to IR.
Dexter McDonald looks like Carrie and McGill, late round corner with all the traits. Makes you wonder why he went so late.
Raiderfan32904
Footballguy
Overriding point is this was a roster that came into the draft talent deficient in a lot of key areas. Free agency was supposed to fill in a lot of holes, but it didn't for whatever reason. The draft was supposed to build our foundation pieces. We had a full draft slate and should have picked up at least 2 or 3 starters. Rounds 4-7 are usually upside longshots and special teamers and I get that. We came away with one new starter and a grab bag of maybes. We really didn't have the luxury of so many upside guys, when we could use sme nice safe upgrades. I dunno, but the draft plan is lost on me, other than Cooper. I have no idea what the Raiders are trying to do. Doesn't make much sense to me.
Raiderfan32904
Footballguy
@ESPNNFL: Best Overall Draft in the AFC:
Tedy Bruschi - @nyjets
Herm Edwards - @RAIDERS
Mel Kiper - @Ravens
Todd McShay - @Jaguars
FWIW Herm Edwards loved our draft.
Tedy Bruschi - @nyjets
Herm Edwards - @RAIDERS
Mel Kiper - @Ravens
Todd McShay - @Jaguars
FWIW Herm Edwards loved our draft.
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Sarlakticacid
Footballguy
Got Charlie Casserly's stamp of approval for most improved Offense in the draft
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap3000000490663/Most-improved-offense-and-defense
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap3000000490663/Most-improved-offense-and-defense
Chadstroma
Footballguy
You need a partner to trade down. I wonder if us fans think trading down is easier than you think.... plus, there is nothing that says someone else wont take the guy you really want.
cstu
Footballguy
Makes sense. I expect Cooper and Streater to be the outside receivers and Crabtree to play mainly in the slot.
Chaka
Footballguy
massraider
Footballguy
Miles Burris released as well.
He was all effort, just didn't have the instincts/talent. Ray Ray played better down the stretch.
He was all effort, just didn't have the instincts/talent. Ray Ray played better down the stretch.
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Raiderfan32904
Footballguy
Amazed to see some people think he was any good just b/c he started a ton of games. Another Reggie whiff. But I can't beat up Reggie for Burris, at least he was a late pick.Miles Burris released as well.
He was all effort, just didn't have the instincts/talent. Ray Ray played better down the stretch.
ICON211
Footballguy
The problem with that draft class is that he had 6 picks and did not get one player out of the whole lot. Last year's class looks very good though and we will see about this year. Love the Cooper pick and like the Walford pick, but my initial impression was the rest was not overly impressive. One other pick I did like was Debose. I think he had 4 return TDs at Florida and the Raiders have struggled in the return game.Amazed to see some people think he was any good just b/c he started a ton of games. Another Reggie whiff. But I can't beat up Reggie for Burris, at least he was a late pick.Miles Burris released as well.
He was all effort, just didn't have the instincts/talent. Ray Ray played better down the stretch.
DocHolliday
Footballguy
I have seen most experts grade the Raiders draft as a "B". Makes sense to me.
Chadstroma
Footballguy
With all the LB's we drafted, was pretty sure this would happen. I just thought that they would take him to camp and let him compete. Was there any cap implications on timing or was this just to be nice to him and give him opportunity/time to catch on somewhere else.Miles Burris released as well.
He was all effort, just didn't have the instincts/talent. Ray Ray played better down the stretch.
massraider
Footballguy
Think the Jones and Burris move were both made to allow them to catch on elsewhere.
Raiderfan32904
Footballguy
massraider
Footballguy
Check out that draft. It sucked.The problem with that draft class is that he had 6 picks and did not get one player out of the whole lot.Amazed to see some people think he was any good just b/c he started a ton of games. Another Reggie whiff. But I can't beat up Reggie for Burris, at least he was a late pick.Miles Burris released as well.
He was all effort, just didn't have the instincts/talent. Ray Ray played better down the stretch.
One Pro Bowler taken after Bergstrom was drafted. One.
massraider
Footballguy
2012 draft:
No 1st or 2nd rounder. Last pick in the 3rd (compensatory), which cannot be traded.
Previous regime scouting staff (Reggie didn't put together his staff until after the draft). Not his guys.
Picks after #95 (our first pick) by other notable GMs:
Ozzie Newsome:
Gino Gradkowski
Christian Thompson
Asa Jackson
Tommy Streeter
DeAngelo Tyson
Bill Belichick:
Jake Bequette
Nate Ebner
Alfonzo Dennard
Jeremy Ebert
Ted Thompson:
Mike Daniels
Jeron McMillan
Terrell Manning
Andrew Datko
BJ Coleman
No 1st or 2nd rounder. Last pick in the 3rd (compensatory), which cannot be traded.
Previous regime scouting staff (Reggie didn't put together his staff until after the draft). Not his guys.
Picks after #95 (our first pick) by other notable GMs:
Ozzie Newsome:
Gino Gradkowski
Christian Thompson
Asa Jackson
Tommy Streeter
DeAngelo Tyson
Bill Belichick:
Jake Bequette
Nate Ebner
Alfonzo Dennard
Jeremy Ebert
Ted Thompson:
Mike Daniels
Jeron McMillan
Terrell Manning
Andrew Datko
BJ Coleman
LawFitz
Footballguy
I was waiting for that Sio Moore, Gabe Jackson, Jelly Ellis moment later in this draft and it never came. Closest thing was Alford, but the rest of the picks felt like reaches for guys with warts. Didn't know anything about any of the day 3 picks, and reading and a little youtubing since has left me still scratching my head.
Feliciano. Great story. I could see him becoming a lunch pail starter, which would make a him a good 4th round pick. Just really wonder if he could've been had two or more rounds later. NFL.com calls him pear shaped. Until he proves otherwise, we passed on several legit OGs by trading down and ended up with a pear?
Not sure what they see in Heeney. Dude looks really small and while he makes some flashy tackles at times, it seemed like he was getting washed out or missing on the wild dive tackles more often. Maybe a decent STer, but I'm not seeing an NFL LB here.
Ball sounds like a medical redshirt. So I guess this really a 2016 pick. I can get over the brain issue he had, as that was a while ago, but knee microfracture just last year sounds awful. Supposedly this is an early round talent, otherwise, so maybe it's just a matter of patience and a year on IR for this guy to be a good pick.
Valles looks terribly raw. Only saving grace is that he came out as a sophomore, so I suppose he might be like clay for JDR & Co. We might be waiting a year or two more for this guy to emerge. His real rookie year in terms of grading him might not come until 2017.
I like the 7th rounders. Morris and McDonald have athletic upside as projects at need positions and Dubose could be a decent starter at KR/PR from day one.
Weird draft in that it's hard to see any late value picks, but I could see 3-4+ legit starters coming out of it in the end.
Feliciano. Great story. I could see him becoming a lunch pail starter, which would make a him a good 4th round pick. Just really wonder if he could've been had two or more rounds later. NFL.com calls him pear shaped. Until he proves otherwise, we passed on several legit OGs by trading down and ended up with a pear?
Not sure what they see in Heeney. Dude looks really small and while he makes some flashy tackles at times, it seemed like he was getting washed out or missing on the wild dive tackles more often. Maybe a decent STer, but I'm not seeing an NFL LB here.
Ball sounds like a medical redshirt. So I guess this really a 2016 pick. I can get over the brain issue he had, as that was a while ago, but knee microfracture just last year sounds awful. Supposedly this is an early round talent, otherwise, so maybe it's just a matter of patience and a year on IR for this guy to be a good pick.
Valles looks terribly raw. Only saving grace is that he came out as a sophomore, so I suppose he might be like clay for JDR & Co. We might be waiting a year or two more for this guy to emerge. His real rookie year in terms of grading him might not come until 2017.
I like the 7th rounders. Morris and McDonald have athletic upside as projects at need positions and Dubose could be a decent starter at KR/PR from day one.
Weird draft in that it's hard to see any late value picks, but I could see 3-4+ legit starters coming out of it in the end.
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Hankmoody
Footballguy
Exactly. We've all been burned by "I'll trade down and grab this sleeper in the 8th" only to have someone snipe you two picks later (or even worse, the guy trading into your spot takes him, had that happen once). Imagine the sting when the stakes are wins, playoffs, Super Bowls, millions of dollars, your job - now who's gambling? Just because Kiper doesn't write about the guy doesn't mean he's not worth the draft slot. No one knows what the teams behind us were really thinking. Rule #1, just like fantasy drafting, is just get the pick right. If you hit home runs on 7 draft picks, no one is going to give one crap about what round you drafted them in.
Sure, we've been burned by the Mike Mitchells and DHB's of the past,but those days are gone. NEP reaches all the time, you don't see anyone crying about that. Duron Harmon a couple years ago was a huge "reach" on the "draft boards", but all you heard from the apologist media was how Belichek is such a genius he'll get the most of out these picks.
While I don't fully agree since there's no such thing as too much emphasis on pass rush, I do agree that there's a lot of value in getting Edwards as an alternative. I think he's Lamarr Houston quicker/better pass rusher, and if he can get some occasional outside pressure in base and reduce inside and generate pass rush that will be a huge boost for everyone.
lod01
Footballguy
I remember calling the Jones signing really stupid simply because he was not going to help the team in any way get to the playoffs or even contend. He would be gone before they ever turned the corner. Teams that suck like the Raiders should concentrate on building thru the draft and not waste $ on high priced free agents that won't be around in 2 years until they are actually contending for a playoff spot.
massraider
Footballguy
No doubt. They should stop wasting money on high-priced free agents like James Jones.
Good call. I don't why these teams don't have you on speed dial.
Stompin' Tom Connors
Footballguy
Agree. We had many holes and need for depth, but core needs were clear (IMO) -- WR, DE pass rush, CB. And I think we only walked away from the first 4 rounds addressing one.Raiderfan32904 said:
If you are going to reach a little for a DE, at least ensure that he fills the need by having a proven and consistent track record of using the edge effectively. I get the Sunseri reunion angle, but the Raiders haven't really proven they have the ability to develop talent effectively -- which points to another reason why getting starting talent is necessary for this team.
Really like the Wolford pick as I think a primary receiver out of the TE spot gives Carr another weapon and aligns with the way the game is played now, but it wasn't a burning need given that Rivera seemed to be developing.
In later rounds, I liked that we looked to stockpile picks, but again you need to look at opportunity cost of what you're giving up versus what additional depth you can get. We weren't taking BPA, and we weren't exactly focusing on core needs. So agree that it's hard to tease out the draft plan they were working with here. Maybe a true identity gets molded based on talent you have and acquire, but would be more confident knowing that we had a path to a specific identity going into the draft, rather than what seems like some scattershot drafting.
All that said -- I'm still very encouraged. We definitely have a better team than we did a year ago, and seeing the Raiders have fresh men on the squad that could potentially provide greater depth and flexibility on both sides of the ball is great. We may not be developing as fast or in the way we would want in a perfect world -- but we are developing.
Stompin' Tom Connors
Footballguy
I get your point, but I think we should have been focused more on guys who have the ability to stand up on their own in terms of their talent and what we need them to be, and not just for this could mean for other players' talent.
Hankmoody
Footballguy
Definitely, I'm agreeing with that 100%.
And I think he will. He can do both, that's quite common out there.
Hankmoody
Footballguy
This. 1000 times this. Great example IMO of a trade-down gone wrong. The reward was Neiron Ball, Anthony Morris, and Dexter McDonald?LawFitz said:
Here's the other part I struggle with. Grady Jarrett/Michael Bennett? Stefon Diggs? Mario Alford, Gerod Holliman, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu? Tre McBride in the 7th? We're going to find out who Reggie McKenzie is with this draft.LawFitz said:
LawFitz
Footballguy
I'm really coming around on these two. I was distracted by the shotgun LBs of the earlier rounds. Morris and McDonald look like very interesting prospects. One of these guys could be this year's TJ Carrie.
Feliciano, Heeney, Ball, Valles, Dubose, Morris, McDonald
We'll get to compare guys to the consensus players you mention that were available and judge Reggie for it. I'm still sour about Grady Jarrett. Could've had him instead of Heeney. I would've felt so much better about this draft if that had happened.
cstu
Footballguy
Time for Raiders fans to slow their roll. Two years in a row a Raiders GM didn't screw up the #1 pick and got you a starting QB in the 2nd.
Regardless of what you think about the rest of the decision making, it's better drafting than the team has seen in nearly 20 years.
The Mario Williams is an interesting pick because if they can get him to stay in shape he has Pro Bowl potential.
Some of these guys are project but I see McKenzie drafting guys who 'buy in' and who they think they can mold.
Regardless of what you think about the rest of the decision making, it's better drafting than the team has seen in nearly 20 years.
The Mario Williams is an interesting pick because if they can get him to stay in shape he has Pro Bowl potential.
Some of these guys are project but I see McKenzie drafting guys who 'buy in' and who they think they can mold.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
Chadstroma
Footballguy
Had the #1 and #2 picks in a rookie dynasty draft. Traded Carr and Crabtree plus 2.3, a 4th next year and a 2nd the year after that- away gaining the #3 overall plus his next years 1st round and the year after that. Drafted Gurley, Cooper and Winston. I was torn on Winston vs Gordon but this league is 14 teams deep and QB's are at a premium.
Had to have Cooper though. I think the guy is going to be a stud for many years.
Had to have Cooper though. I think the guy is going to be a stud for many years.
RaiderBones
Footballguy
Stompin' Tom Connors
Footballguy
Let's be honest, hard to screw up your first round pick when Mack and then the choice between Williams and Cooper falls in your lap.
But you are right, time will tell if the Raiders are able to spot and develop talent. I just think with the track record we've seen with this current regime, they would have been better mitigating risk in their picks in a much better way.
Here's to seeing if we can find the chemistry and the poise/pride to fight for 8-8; or at least 5 wins, which will beat our average over the last 12 years.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
The timing needs to be right between the maturation of this team and the retirement/decline of Manning and Rivers. Then the window is open to challenge for the division title every year.
kaso
Footballguy
massraider
Footballguy
Kevin Boothe also released.
For those scoring at home, players over 30 on this team:
Jano
Woodson
Penn
Barnes
Tuck
For those scoring at home, players over 30 on this team:
Jano
Woodson
Penn
Barnes
Tuck
kaso
Footballguy
Oddly enough, that is probably close to the ranking of who remains with the team. I'd flip Woodson and Jano for the official-unofficial list.
