Oakland Raiders Training Camp: Week 2 Stock Report
"Next man up" should become the theme for Oakland Raiders training camp.
That’s exactly what’s happened nearly two weeks into practices. Players are filling in for their fallen comrades and could potentially hang on to their roster spots.
This week’s stock report features players who continue to excel in expanded roles and a pair of wide receivers who are losing their footing in a crowded but talented offensive unit.
The Raiders released their first official depth chart Monday. The depth chart serves as an initial indicator of player performances up until this point but will likely change leading up to Week 1 of the regular season.
However, fans can ink the names of some players and pencil others in at their initial spots on the depth chart. We’ll discuss a couple of those players on each side of the coin. Who’s slipping, and who’s climbing the chart?
Ray-Ray Armstrong: Stock Up
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Linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong continues to kill two birds with one stone. He’s putting together arguably the best offseason of any player on the roster from May to August. Secondly, he’s taking full advantage of linebacker Sio Moore's absence.
The coaching staff has raved about his preparation and performance on the practice field. There’s no surprise that the team lists him as the starting strong-side linebacker on the depth chart.
Moore’s rehab from hip surgery provided an opportunity for Armstrong during organized team activities and minicamp. Moore briefly returned and lined up with the second unit behind Armstrong, per CSNBayArea.com reporter Scott Bair.
At this point, Armstrong has earned some significant snaps in the regular season. He currently holds an edge over linebacker Malcolm Smith as the front-runner to hold on to a starting outside linebacker position, pending Moore’s return to the starting lineup.
Rod Streater: Stock Down
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Wide receiver Rod Streater fell to the cellar of the depth chart, as expected. He remains on the non-football injury list with an illness that has kept him out of every training-camp practice up until this point.
Streater’s extended absence and apparent weight loss, per ESPN’s Adam Caplan, serve as the primary reasons for his stock dive.
Keep in mind that Streater played approximately two-and-a-quarter games with quarterback Derek Carr last year. The tandem cannot seem to stay on the field together. Carr continues to develop a rapport with a group of talented receivers while Streater misses valuable time.
Streater isn't teetering on the cusp of a roster spot and should regain some ground once he returns to the field. However, the No. 3 wide receiver slot doesn’t seem locked up for the undrafted free agent entering his fourth season.
Streater was on the sidelines during Tuesday’s practice, as Silver and Black Pride writer Levi Damien noted on Twitter, but his fellow receivers continue to narrow the gap for that No. 3 spot behind the starters.
Kenbrell Thompkins: Stock Up
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Wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins shot up the depth chart with solid practices over the past three months.
Thompkins’ early surge shows that the coaching staff realizes the work he has put into claiming a roster spot in September.
He’s not going to get the attention of wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, but he has flashed a great set of hands with some exceptional catches regardless of who’s throwing the football.
Thompkins is taking reps with the second and third teams with quarterbacks Christian Ponder and Matt McGloin at the helm. He has also caught some passes from Carr in three-receiver sets, per Damien.
He has remained steady throughout the rotations, keeping his hopes of making the 53-man roster alive.
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Brice Butler: Stock Down
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Wide receiver Brice Butler is heading in the opposite direction in terms of wide receiver stocks.
Unlike in the past, Butler has yet to put his stamp on training camp, per Damien:
"Last year in training camp, Butler was steady making plays. He was looking to be on the rise with the Raiders and last season he showed some skills that had him as a serious challenger to Andre Holmes' spot on the roster. But thus far in camp, he seems to be working mostly with the second and third teams and hasn't hardly even seen the ball. Meanwhile, guys like Andre Holmes and Kenbrell Thompkins are both seeing a lot of first team work with each making at least a couple grabs per practice.
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Butler—aka "Mr. DJ Duffle Bag"—is in a bit of trouble at training camp. He’s not flashing as much as he should in comparison to fellow receivers. Streater’s absence hasn't elevated Butler’s play, and the opportunities continue to dwindle.
As a jump-ball receiver, Andre Holmes continues to earn praise for his grabs despite a couple of drops in between, but Butler’s performances haven't outdone those inconsistencies.
In fairness to Butler, there’s time left to leave his imprint on the offseason. The Raiders' first preseason game is rapidly approaching—Friday, August 14, against the St. Louis Rams—when backups should see ample time on the field.
Butler must jump off the film in the first game to set the tone for the rest of the reserve receivers who are attempting to make the final 53-man roster.
Taiwan Jones: Stock Up
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The presence of offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave helps raise running back Taiwan Jones’ stock going forward.
According to Bair, Musgrave will make a concerted effort to include Jones’ exceptional speed in the offensive game plan from week to week.
"It turns out that coordinator Bill Musgrave has plans for Jones’ blazing speed," Bair noted. "The man armed with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash has shown shiftiness and an ability to slash through the line as a rusher, but Jones might be asked to do a little more on offense."
Jones praised Musgrave for his creative mind and should thank him for carving out a niche in the offense for his afterburners. The four-year pro served as a fixture within the Raiders special teams unit during the 2013 season before a foot injury sidelined him for the 2014 season.
Jones gained some weight (195 lbs) and accepted the transition from cornerback to running back but still runs with lightning quickness. It’s often said, “You can’t teach speed,” and Musgrave wants to capitalize on fielding a speedy running back for a few gadget plays to catch defenses off guard.
Jones' involvement with special teams almost ensures a spot on the final roster. Musgrave’s insistence on creating niche opportunities further helps his future outlook with the Raiders.
Which players are you keeping an eye on leading up to the preseason? Share your comments below. Follow Maurice Moton on Twitter for Raiders training camp news.
All statistics are provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.
Oakland Raiders' official depth chart courtesy of Raiders.com.
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