Oakland Raiders' Week 13 Stock Report

The Oakland Raiders' Week 13 stock report highlights two unassuming top performers and a pair of defensive backs tumbling for different reasons.

Raider Nation should list Sunday's referee crew at the top of the stock list. According to Tennessee Titans interim head coach Mike Mularkey, via Jim Wyatt of Titans Online, the NFL acknowledged the defensive holding call on Titans cornerback B.W. Webb as a bad call.

The officials called the penalty on the opposite side of the field, away from quarterback Derek Carr's incomplete pass into double coverage to wide receiver Andre Holmes on fourth down.

Questionable calls occur in virtually every game, and Sunday’s contest presented another example.

Most of us watch games from our televisions with the benefit of slow-motion replays. Officials must make judgment calls in real time, which results in imperfections.

On Sunday, a judgment call swayed the outcome in favor of Oakland. Nonetheless, Raiders fans, players and coaches will take this win in stride.

As far as outcomes within the players’ control, two unheralded talents came up big on each side of the ball. Penalties on cornerback T.J. Carrie and defensive end Khalil Mack aided the Titans on their last two scoring drives, but a resilient Raiders team found a way to pull out the victory. 

Who’s rising and who’s falling in this week’s stock report?

Seth Roberts: Stock Up

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

Wide receiver Seth Roberts reeled in his second game-winning touchdown catch in 11 career games.

He’s not the most consistent wideout in the group, but he’s able to make plays in critical moments. Carr delivered a timely pass to Roberts, who ran a crisp route to gain separation in the end zone.

The second-year undrafted wideout logged six catches for 113 yards in the first 100-yard performance of his career. Carr often reprimands Roberts for miscues in his routes, but he’s typically reliable when the ball touches his hands. 

Thus far, Roberts has been a pleasant surprise in the slot as a downfield blocker and occasional deep threat.

D.J. Hayden: Stock Down

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

Cornerback D.J. Hayden spent most of his time on the sidelines and special teams on Sunday.

Based on snap count, the coaching staff demoted Hayden below Neiko Thorpe on defense, per NFL.com’s gamebook. Hayden played five snaps on defense and six with the special teams unit.

The confidence in Hayden wavered going into Sunday’s matchup, but his drop below Thorpe in defensive snaps came as a surprise.

He transitioned from minimally progressing in the slot to blending in on special teams, which deals a critical blow to his confidence.

David Amerson: Stock Up

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The Raiders coaching staff pulled Hayden out of the starting lineup for David Amerson.

The decision paid off, and Amerson shut down his area on the field. He also forced a momentum-shifting turnover after Jeremy Ross fumbled on a kick return in Raiders territory. His interception potentially prevented back-to-back Titans touchdowns. 

Amerson is now tied with Buffalo Bills cornerback Ronald Darby for most passes defended (19) in the league. Opposing quarterbacks continue to target him, but he remains solid as a perimeter defender on any receiver not named Antonio Brown.

The Washington Redskins castoff may find a permanent home in Oakland. At the very least, he’s earned another start in Week 13.

Neiko Thorpe: Stock Down

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Thorpe’s rough outing against the Titans provides some hope for Hayden’s return to the field as a slot cornerback.

In the third quarter, Thorpe allowed a touchdown to Titans wideout Harry Douglas. He also committed a costly pass interference penalty, pushing Tennessee to the 1-yard line, prior to taking the lead.

The third-year cornerback has teetered on mediocre play for the majority of the season. He’s not costing the team games with poor coverage, but he’s played limited snaps behind three cornerbacks for a reason.

Thorpe didn’t necessarily aid his cause in taking over as the No. 3 cornerback over Hayden going forward. Expect the coaching staff to toggle between the two defensive backs in the coming weeks.

Taylor Mays: Stock Up

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Most wouldn’t understand safety Taylor Mays’ value, unless they’ve watched some film on Sunday’s game.

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota carved the heart of the Raiders defense with throws to tight end Delanie Walker. Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. inserted Mays as an undersized linebacker to defend Mariota's go-to target. 

Mays almost immediately slowed down Walker in the Titans’ short-to-intermediate passing attack. A few Raiders beat writers in attendance expressed surprising delight in the safety’s play.

Kudos to Norton for exploring a counter to the Titans’ heavy reliance on the tight ends and to Mays for making a subtle but significant impact in an inconspicuous role.

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All statistics are provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com, Pro Football Focus and Team Rankings unless otherwise noted.