Setting Realistic Expectations for Each Oakland Raiders Rookie

The excitement behind the Oakland Raiders incoming rookie class can take expectations to a new level.

Most fans are innately optimistic about the fresh talent with the utmost faith in their team’s general manager and coaching staff to make the best choices to improve the team. However, coaches and general managers are fired every year for poor personnel decisions, and sometimes rookies don’t pan out.

The Raiders drafted 10 rookies in hopes of elevating this franchise out of a rut and overturn the team's struggling ways. Oakland continued to pick up talented, undrafted players to add depth and fill in some roster gaps.

As Raider Nation hopes for the best in the upcoming season, we’ll discuss the best and worse possibilities for the 2015 rookie class, with the addition of two undrafted rookies who stand a good chance of making the 53-man roster.

Wide receiver Andre Debose was waived during organized team activities, per ESPN’s Bill Williamson and therefore omitted from this listing.

WR Amari Cooper

Randy Moss was the last wide receiver to break the 1,000-receiving-yards barrier in Oakland. Raider Nation hopes the 2015 No. 4 overall pick breaks the dry spell at receiver. The term "superstar" has been attached to wide receiver Amari Cooper's name before playing a down in the NFL.

In the video above, Bleacher Report’s Chris Simms expects 1,100 receiving yards and six touchdowns from Cooper. He didn’t discuss in depth the breadth of talent within the Raiders wide receiver corps. It’s plausible to think Cooper could fall behind veterans Michael Crabtree and Rod Streater, but it's very unlikely with his ability to play all wide receiver positions.

Cooper should lead the team in receiving yards, but he’ll miss the 1,000-yard mark because of the plethora of talent around him.

Crabtree, Streater, fellow rookie Clive Walford, tight end Mychal Rivera and even Marcel Reece will all likely claim a good portion of quarterback Derek Carr’s passing yards. Carr’s even distribution keeps a lid on Cooper’s numbers, but he should lead all Raiders receivers as the most productive.

DE Mario Edwards Jr.

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Mario Edwards Jr.

I’ve been tough on defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. thus far, but his inability to generate a pass rush in college doesn’t grant much faith to develop the skill set on a more challenging professional level.

On the bright side, defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. became a mastermind in pressuring quarterbacks into poor throws or simply pounding them into the turf using a versatile linebacker corps.

Versatility is the one aspect Edwards has working in his favor. The defensive end weighs 280 pounds and expects to play the (leo) hybrid defensive lineman position in the upcoming season, per Oakland Tribune writer Jerry McDonald. The added capability to play inside in 3-4 sub-packages while outside linebacker Khalil Mack breaks off the edge should benefit Edwards.

He’s capable of recording a few sacks, but don’t expect him to become a power pass-rusher similar to Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams (6’6", 292 pounds) in his rookie campaign. There’s a good chance Edwards remains a top-notch run-stopper, but his pass-rushing abilities need time to develop.

TE Clive Walford

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Clive Walford

Walford has the tools to contribute on Cooper levels, but as Williamson notes, tight end isn’t the easiest position to play in the NFL:

“Walford might need time to develop. Tight end isn't always a position where young players can come into the NFL and dominate. If Walford struggles as a rookie, the Raiders will have to rely on third-year player Mychal Rivera.”

The fact Rivera remains a viable, though less dynamic, option at tight end allows Walford some leeway in his development. If he struggles, expect Rivera to take extra snaps without hesitation.

Walford’s ability to provide solid line protection keeps him on the field in the upcoming season and Rivera as the backup. Blocking tight end Lee Smith also enters the mix, but his lack of receiving skills would tip opposing defenses as to what the Raiders might attempt to execute on offense.

Walford keeps the defense honest and provides a target as dynamic as Cooper at Carr’s disposal. The Raiders' third-round pick should make some flashy catches in the vertical attack and provide a significant upgrade in blocking schemes as a starter.

OG Jon Feliciano

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Jon Feliciano

Here’s another pick that causes some concern, from myself included. Unfortunately, my stock in Jon Feliciano continues to drop until he shows reasons for optimism. He’s a big, tough guard, but he was drafted prematurely as a fourth-round pick.

Initially, he projected as a late-season starter, taking over for offensive lineman Khalif Barnes. However, the Raiders haven’t entertained Feliciano as a potential starter at all during the offseason. Offensive line coach Mike Tice has opted to push tackle J’Marcus Webb as a leading candidate at guard instead of allowing his rookie to showcase his skills, per Williamson.

Both Barnes and Webb have taken first-team reps, pushing Feliciano into the cobwebs of the depth chart. He’s in position to land on the practice squad if he continues to take a backseat to two tackles during training camp. On the contrary, there’s still time and the need for a natural guard to earn a spot at a weak position on the offensive line.

Feliciano won’t likely start, but a poor showing from Webb or a burned-out Barnes may create a late opportunity for the rookie guard.

ILB Ben Heeney

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Ben Heeney

Ben Heeney impressed in a small sample, calling plays with the first-team as the inside linebacker, per Williamson:

"I think Heeney, a Kansas product is safe. He has adjusting well to the pro game. Teammates have lauded him for intelligence and the way he is helping call the defense some in practice. Expect him to make an immediate impact on special teams."

The former Kansas linebacker doesn’t just play with his hair on fire, he’s mentally in tune with the action. Energetic was the word to describe Heeney’s play coming out of the draft; now you can pair that characteristic with intelligence as a potential fill-in for inside linebacker Curtis Lofton when necessary.

Lofton will remain the starting inside linebacker, but Heeney should see extended play in 3-4 sub-packages and become a core performer on special teams in 2015.

ILB Neiron Ball

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Neiron Ball

The second fifth-round pick should pair with Heeney as an energetic duo to bolster special teams. Ball’s role on defense isn’t as defined as Heeney’s, but he's also capable of taking extra snaps in 3-4 sub-packages.

His athleticism allows Norton to move him across the formation as a potential (leo) hybrid defensive lineman. The Raiders may infuse more blitz packages to generate a pass rush this season. Ball is a good candidate in blitz packages because of his natural speed and toughness.

Outside of special teams, the coaching staff must implement some creativity to get Ball extra snaps within a crowded and talented linebacker corps.

DE Max Valles

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Max Valles

The Raiders' sixth-round pick has the biggest gap between his ceiling and floor for the upcoming season. Defensive end Max Valles should become the heir to defensive end Justin Tuck's position off the edge at some point during season. However, he’s only 20 years old, and it’s unlikely the Raiders' 2014 sack leader takes a backseat to a 20-year-old kid that easily.

Tuck will mentor Valles, and the two should alternate around midseason with uncertainty surrounding the veteran’s expiring contract.

Valles flashed more of a pass-rushing aptitude than Edwards in college. An anemic effort from Edwards or Tuck should force a rotation that includes Valles. He’s not quite a starter, but he can still impact the game in a weak area for Oakland.

OT Anthony Morris

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Anthony Morris

Seventh-round pick Anthony Morris won’t crack the starting lineup this year. He hasn’t flashed during the offseason, but he’s a late pick and expected to develop over a steady time period.

He’ll likely find himself on the practice squad, but an injury to Donald Penn or a subpar performance from Austin Howard or Menelik Watson could force Morris into the rotation earlier than expected.

Offensive linemen Matt McCants, Barnes and possibly Lamar Mady all have priority over Morris as fill-in starters at either tackle or guard. He’s a player to watch beyond the 2015 season when question marks arise at the tackle position.

CB Dexter McDonald

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Dexter McDonald

The Raiders' final pick in the draft could find himself on the active roster, but he won’t step into a productive role with so much focus on cornerbacks D.J. Hayden, T.J. Carrie and Keith McGill. Neiko Thorpe’s impressive showing during mandatory minicamp, per SilverandBlackPride.com writer Levi Damien, should also keep McDonald’s productivity at bay, but sharpening his skills on the practice squad isn’t a total loss.

McDonald had some impressive games during his collegiate career, but he still needs work on his fine mechanics, per NFL.com draft scout Lance Zierlein:

"Anticipates outside release and finds himself behind when receiver fakes him out and makes move back inside. Must improve feel for receiver during route. Will allow too much space rather than crowding. Has had pass interference problems over last two seasons. Slow to track downfield throws."

It’s becomes a matter of how much McDonald develops during training camp and preseason as the deciding factor in whether he makes the 53-man roster or lands on the practice unit. The only fear of stashing him on the practice squad is poaching from other teams to sign him to their active rosters.

WR Josh Harper

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Josh Harper

There’s very little chance wide receiver Josh Harper gets released prior to the regular season despite a deep stable of wide receivers. Harper is another candidate as a valuable stash for the 2016 season, but his connection with Carr creates immediate opportunity as the No. 4 or No. 5 wide receiver in a high-powered offense.

Realistically, Carr has more experience with Harper than Cooper, Crabtree and Streater combined; yes, it's mind-blowing.

Unfortunately, Carr and Harper haven’t been on the field to rekindle that chemistry due to Carr’s injury. However, if the two re-create that Fresno State magic from their college days, it could be the most potent connection next to Carr and Cooper.

Either way, Harper is due for an opportunity to make an impact for the Raiders.

Brice Butler has struggled with injuries this offseason, per Damien, and he could become a casualty of the potentially hot Carr-Harper connection.

WR Austin Willis

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Austin Willis

Austin Willis is the black sheep of the wide receiver corps. He’s an undersized speedster and a capable kick- and punt-returner. Aside from Streater, speed doesn’t really define any of the Raiders wide receivers, but Willis brings something different to the table.

Unfortunately for Willis, he doesn’t stand a chance of making the roster or landing on the practice squad if he doesn’t seal the deal as the kick-returner. The Raiders have too much talent at the position to keep Willis onboard.

The Emporia State product has come a long way, and he’ll likely resurface on another team if he’s released. Oakland should strongly consider him over Trindon Holliday, the 5’5”, 29-year-old return specialist who makes Willis’ 5’9” stature seem oversized.

The two undersized wide receivers will compete at a position of weakness on the Raiders roster with the loser likely going home.

What are your expectations for these Raider rookies? You can follow Maurice Moton on Twitter and give your input!

Statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com.

Player measurements courtesy of Raiders.com and Buffalobills.com.

Player contract details courtesy of Spotrac.com.