Lafell adds experience; team still short on speed at wideout
Ex-bengal had 548 yards, 52 receptions, three scores in 2017
ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Raiders added a wide receiver Monday.
And they don’t appear done. Shortly before the first regular-season practice of 2018, the team agreed to terms with ex-bengal Brandon Lafell. Johnny Holton, a speedy wide receiver whose greatest value came on special teams, was waived.
Lafell offers experience. The Raiders also need speed, an area they are expected to address soon.
That could come via free agency or trade. The club is not known to have expressed interest in better-known free agents such as Breshad Perriman or Corey Coleman. On Monday morning, Lafell and wide receiver Brice Butler worked out for the team, a source said.
Lafell, 31, spent two seasons in Cincinnati. He caught 52 passes for 548 yards and three touchdowns in 2017. His route tree does not fit the speed profile, so he won’t help the Raiders stretch the field Monday against the Los Angeles Rams.
The team likely will find someone who can, perhaps soon.
Available role
Holton’s departure creates a void on special teams.
While his skills as a receiver are raw, the 27-year-old was the team’s best gunner in coverage in 2017, chasing down punts opposite wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. Patterson was traded to the New England Patriots in March. Wide receiver Dwayne Harris, 30, was signed in April to replace Patterson.
It is unclear who will replace Holton. Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia can decide this week in practice.
“Johnny, he was going to be pretty good,” Harris said. “We always talk. I was teaching him some of the stuff I knew, all the years I have been in the league. He was already good. He was fast. When you’ve got someone like that out there, it’s hard to teach speed.”
Notable
The number of 2017 draft picks who remain with the Raiders is down to two. The Raiders claimed ex-cowboys defensive tackle Brian Price off waivers and cut defensive tackle Treyvon Hester. This leaves first-round cornerback Gareon Conley and fifth-round linebacker Marquel Lee as the lone remnants of last year’s nine-person draft class. Hester was a seventh-round pick.
Offensive tackle David Sharpe has a Tuesday workout scheduled with the New York Giants, a source said. He’d become the latest ex-raider to sign with the club; defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. and cornerback Antonio Hamilton were claimed off waivers Sunday. Sharpe was a 2017 fourth-round pick.
Running back Deandre Washington (knee) rehabbed to the side during Monday’s practice. Players have Tuesday off.
Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Gehlkennfl on Twitter.