The Raiders are a team looking to make serious strides in 2015. They have their franchise quarterback in Derek Carr, who continues to shine, and they have brought in more building blocks as they build toward the future.
The silver and black have already played one preseason game, which ended in an 18-3 victory over the St. Louis Rams. Through camp and this first game of the year, players are standing out, while others sit on the backburner. Here’s a look at some of the studs and duds in Raiders camp thus far.
Biggest Studs:
Amari Cooper
All eyes are on Cooper, both in training camp and on game day. The first round draft pick looks to be the top target for Carr and an explosive playmaker, serving as a legitimate downfield threat.
Cooper has impressed in camp, with his solid footwork and impressive catches, as well as his professionalism and relationship he is building with his quarterback.
Cooper doesn’t come as a shock when being considered a stud out of Raiders camp, as a first round pick it is expected, but the receiver is drawing a lot of attention and is well on his way to making a huge impact on this offense.
Michael Crabtree
Crabtree signed with the Raiders this offseason, and will serve as a veteran leader in the receiving corp and someone Cooper can look up to and seek advice from.
The receiver has been impressive thus far as he looks to get back to old form. The veteran enters the season with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. He has been making great plays coming down with the ball and looks to be a reliable target for Carr as he and this young offense take each game week by week.
Ben Heeney
Heeney has been receiving rave reviews and analysis after his work this training camp and in the first preseason game.
The Raiders defense struggled against the run, and Heeney seems like an answer to that problem. He has shown that he can stuff the run and, along with the other defensive additions, this defense should show great improvement.
The fifth round pick has been impressive and looks to build off a solid camp for the regular season.
Latavius Murray
Murray was the sole spark on a depleted and nonexistent Raiders run game last year. When given the opportunity to start, Murray ran with it; literally.
The running back had a few impressive games breaking through the defense for grand yardage, and looks to bring this run game to life in 2015.
He has had an impressive camp, taking charge in the running backs competition with Trent Richardson and Roy Helu Jr.
Biggest Duds:
Trent Richardson
The Raiders had hoped that a change of scenery may do good for Richardson, and help get him back to his rookie form, but injuries have sidelined him, and what he has shown in camp has been disappointing thus far.
Richardson is a player looking to revitalize his career, but looks to be unsuccessful in his attempt.
He hasn’t shown much of anything throughout camp, and this preseason is his last chance to show he can compete with Murray, Helu, and Michael Dyer, who all seek playing time.
D.J. Hayden
The cornerback has been bitten by the injury bug quite a few times in his young career after battling a serious heart situation to make it to the draft. The Raiders drafted Hayden in 2013, but the corner has yet to show he was worth a first round selection.
Hayden has struggled throughout these past two seasons, but looks to turn the tables this year; unfortunately he hasn’t performed well in camp and had a disappointing 2015 debut last Friday night.
All eyes are on Hayden as he enters this season healthy with NFL experience under his belt. The expectations are high, and he has yet to deliver.