Raiders: Oakland seeking a third option at wide receiver.
Although the Raiders are happy to have Jordy Nelson out wide with Amari Cooper these days, they’re still waiting for another of their receivers to surface as a reliable third option.
Head coach Jon Gruden notso-subtly stated as much Monday, pivoting in consecutive answers during his pre-practice media session to indicate that, for the rest of the receiver group, the time is ripe.
Answering a question about Nelson, Gruden ended by saying: “We’ve been really, really happy with his addition to this team. And hopefully, someone can step up and clearly emerge as the third receiver.”
And to a question about new position coach Edgar Bennett: “I think our receivers have benefited from his coaching. And I think he would agree we need somebody to step up in that room this week.”
The Raiders do not lack options. But returning to their Alameda facility Monday after three weeks of training camp in Napa, their depth at the position behind Cooper and Nelson remained murky.
Martavis Bryant appeared to be an ideal complement when acquired from the Steelers in April, given his mix of size and speed. But Bryant missed three practices in Napa — two with a headache and one because of illness — and apparently underwhelmed to the point that Gruden likened him to an elusive white tiger because “sometimes he comes out to play, and sometimes he doesn’t.”
Seth Roberts was expected to compete at the slot position but missed the first two preseason games with injury, returning to practice Monday. Ryan Switzer, acquired in a trade with Dallas, is perhaps a more prototypical slot receiver and drew praise from Gruden early. But as of last week, Griff Whalen, a freeagent signee and Stanford alum, was working in the slot with the first-team offense.
Rookie Marcell Ateman flashed early in camp but has quieted, playing 51 snaps in Saturday’s preseason game against the Rams with one catch. After resting most of his starters in Los Angeles, Gruden said this week will be more normal leading up to Friday’s game against Green Bay and that he’s looking for “more consistency, honestly” from the receiver group.
“I think just someone to come out here and string four or five really good days together and showcase their stuff, make some plays, with and without the ball,” Gruden said.
Gruden said he expects to play his starters “a little bit” against the Packers. Quarterback Derek Carr agreed it will be a good chance for other receivers to claim a larger role.
“Hopefully come game time, we can sit there and evaluate that spot,” Carr said. “It’s important when you have guys like Martavis and Coop or Jordy on the outside, you have (tight end Jared Cook) on the inside. Someone’s going to get a good matchup, hopefully on the other side, in the slot or wherever we put them.”
The Raiders signed Nelson, 33, in March not only to team with Cooper but to be a presence in a relatively young receiver group. Nelson, who spent the previous 10 years with the Packers, acknowledged Monday it was initially difficult trying to fill a leadership role while also adjusting to a new offense.
“Once I started feeling that out,” Nelson said, “I’ve been able to have more conversations with guys and really get into the fine details ... or different things to help them create more separation, which is what we’re all trying to get at the end of the day.”
Nelson deflected when asked if any receivers he didn’t previously know have stood out — “Everyone but Amari,” he said, smiling — but gave a candid assessment of their performance in camp.
“Some good, and probably just inconsistency, I guess,” Nelson said. “I don’t want to say ‘bad.’ But just the ups and downs, which is honestly typical of training camp. Every year I’ve been a part of it, guys come out of the box fast and then slow down, or come out slow and pick it up.”
Though he won’t play much, if at all, Nelson said he is looking forward to Friday’s game against his only previous NFL team.
“Emotionally, it won’t be a problem,” Nelson said. “It’ll be fun to see those guys.”