Oakland Raiders Week 5 Stock Report
Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie’s 2013 draft class didn’t fare well in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears. Adversely, a pair of newly signed free agents made an impact on the defensive side of the ball.
The leftovers from McKenzie’s first full draft class largely contributed to the loss on Sunday, but two new faces provided much-needed help for a defense struggling with injuries and a lack of depth.
Oakland will travel back home to prepare for the Denver Broncos. Prior to discussing that upcoming divisional matchup, we’ll delve into rising and falling stocks based on Week 4 performances.
This week’s stock report will present some players who disappointed in their starting or prominent roles and initial positive signs from the newcomers.
Latavius Murray: Stock Down
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Consider running back Latavius Murray’s turnovers a blip instead of a trend. The third-year tailback had a bad day at the office as a receiver and ball-carrier.
It’s too early to diagnose Murray with “fumblitis” or a bad case of the “dropsies." He’s aware that his turnovers hurt the team tremendously.
The Raiders starting running back acknowledged his contribution to the loss and seems poised to move forward with confidence in his game, per CSNBayArea.com’s Scott Bair.
Murray’s clear miscues hid the offensive line's poor effort in clearing the running lanes.
According to Pro Football Focus, all five of the Raiders offensive linemen ranked negatively in run blocking in Week 4, which contributed to the ineffective rushing attack.
Nonetheless, Murray bobbled a pass that landed in Bears outside linebacker Pernell McPhee's hands. That turnover led to a successful Robbie Gould field-goal kick. He also fumbled on a momentous offensive drive in Bears territory.
Aldon Smith: Stock Up
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Edge-rusher Aldon Smith made a slight breakthrough in the pass rush by registering his first sack of the season against the Bears.
There’s specific attention paid to sacks, but Smith came into the game with 10 quarterback hurries. He also graded positively against the run.
Nonetheless, Smith established a knack for seeking and pummeling quarterbacks in the pocket. His first sack showed a glimpse of the relentless pass-rusher who played for the San Francisco 49ers the past four seasons.
The Raiders need their prominent edge-rushing duo in Khalil Mack and Smith to dominate simultaneously. Oakland's ability to pressure the pocket becomes an essential tool in beating the Broncos in Week 5. Denver's offensive line has allowed eight sacks in the first four weeks.
D.J. Hayden: Stock Down
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D.J. Hayden took another step backward in his progression as the lead cornerback in the secondary.
According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed four catches out of five targets for 56 yards and a touchdown—missing two tackles amid his rough day in coverage.
The Hayden hope train continues to go south pretty quickly. Currently, he ranks 158th among 160 cornerbacks in overall ranking.
T.J. Carrie’s chest injury and Keith McGill’s inactivity leave the Raiders with very few options while Hayden plays out of a rough stretch.
Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. positioned Hayden in the slot for 36 of 46 passing downs, and Bears quarterback Jay Cutler exploited the matchup with wide receiver Eddie Royal.
Carrie’s status remains unclear, which propels Hayden into a key position with wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders next on the schedule.
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David Amerson: Stock Up
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The coaching staff placed tremendous faith in cornerback David Amerson on the outside in Week 4, and he provided solid coverage.
Amerson played 46 snaps on passing downs, the same as Hayden, but lined up on the perimeter exclusively.
The former Washington Redskins cornerback also played well against the run. He forced Bears running back Matt Forte to fumble in Chicago's first drive of the second half. Oakland capitalized on the turnover with a field goal.
Head coach Jack Del Rio referenced Amerson's athleticism and “sticky coverage” in his assessment of the cornerback’s effort on Sunday.
Amerson’s value rises significantly with his performance in an extended role, especially when compared to Hayden’s struggles.
Mychal Rivera: Stock Down
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A year ago, tight end Mychal Rivera ranked second in targets, receptions and receiving touchdowns as quarterback Derek Carr's safety blanket receiver. In 2015, he’s utilized sparingly in the passing offense.
Rivera’s stock drop doesn’t fault poor play. Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave hasn’t found a way to implement two-tight end sets where the receiving tight end can impact the game.
Rookie tight end Clive Walford’s slow start should’ve allowed Rivera time to contribute alongside Lee Smith, who’s categorized as a blocking tight end. However, Rivera hasn’t showed up in the box score and continues to struggle with his blocking technique.
It’s encouraging to see Carr accurately target his wide receivers, but Oakland’s passing attack can reach new heights when or if two-tight end sets become part of Musgrave’s creatively crafted offensive design.
The Bears shut out wide receiver Amari Cooper in the second half. Chicago's secondary also held both Seth Roberts and Andre Holmes without a catch for the entire game.
Expect Roberts and Holmes to show stretches of inconsistency. Carr needs another viable target to help wideout Michael Crabtree with the load when the two slot receivers disappear on the field.
Follow Maurice Moton on Twitter for news, updates and intriguing discussion about the Oakland Raiders.
All statistics are provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com and Pro Football Focus unless otherwise noted.
Week 4 statistics and play-by-play analysis provided by NFL.com.
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