Oakland Raiders News: Rod Streater's Play Doesn't Negate Wide Receiver Issues

Rod Streater led both teams in receiving in Monday night's preseason tilt between the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, but that shouldn't make the Raiders feel any better about their current situation at wide receiver.

Oakland still doesn't have a proven No. 1 option, at least one who's healthy. Oakland Tribune reporter Monte Poole eluded to Denarius Moore's nagging hamstring injury, and he also pointed to Jacoby Ford's questionable health and play on Monday evening.

Both of those things make it very difficult to get a "real" grasp on the Raiders' current receiving situation. Even if Moore were healthy, Oakland still has question marks.

Granted, Moore was a breath of fresh air last season. He hauled in 33 passes for 618 yards and five touchdowns and surprised everyone as a rookie out of Tennessee. He's not tall (6'0''), but he's very athletic and a developing route-runner.

As Poole mentions,

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With starter Denarius Moore nursing a hamstring injury, Ford was given the start. He responded by dropping two passes, one of which was dramatically short-armed in anticipation of being hit. He also looks to a lackluster effort Ford gave on a Carson Palmer interception.

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It's one thing to struggle early on in preseason. It's Week 1. It happens to everyone, but no one should see the words "failed to aggressively pursue" attached to their name this early on in the season, especially on a Raiders team where every spot is up for grabs, save for a few.

Darrius Heyward-Bey is another name that Oakland fans would love to see emerge, but he only hauled in one pass on Monday night. He had nearly 1,000 yards receiving last year, but he's not a sure thing by any means.

Make no mistake about it. Streater's performance against Dallas was a bright spot in a game where very few could be found. He didn't make any big plays down the field, but his hands were consistent. Raider fans will love his size (6'3'') and shiftiness underneath.

But he can't do it alone. Once Moore returns to action, the two targets should complement each other perfectly, but there's no guarantee that Moore can repeat his rookie success from a year ago.

The best-case scenario finds Heyward-Bey stretching the field vertically, while Streater, Ford and Moore work every other area of the field. Ford is best suited for the slot, and Moore probably is as well. Streater's size allows him to play on the outside.

The potential is there, but the Raiders have to find consistent pass-catchers for Palmer this season. Monday night's effort didn't do anything for optimism.