Oakland Raiders Rumors: Top 5 Wide Receivers Who Would Put Oakland on Top

The Oakland Raiders are one of the most storied franchises in the NFL. It has been a downright travesty that this organization has been held down at the bottom of the league for most of the decade.

Thankfully, the Black and Silver have been on the up-and-up over the past two years. I thought Tom Cable did a great job with this team, but Al Davis decided to hand this rising team over to Hue Jackson after the 2010 season.

Jackson takes over a team that I thought would win the AFC West last season. Although many are bashing the Raiders’ draft, they came away with some potential cornerstone pieces such as interior lineman Stefen Wisniewski.

It is going to be tough for the Raiders to win this division in Jackson’s first season, as the rest of the AFC West is greatly improved. Fortunately for Raiders fanatics everywhere, there are still plenty of transactions left to be made.

The biggest move the Raiders could make is to maintain the services of Nnamdi Asomugha for the rest of his career. He is one of the elite superstars in this league. He is the one who cements this defense.

If he leaves, there goes the entire operation. For the purposes of this article, we’re going to assume that Nnamdi returns to wear his No. 21 black and silver jersey.

After Darren McFadden’s fantastic 2010 campaign, the Raiders clearly have one of the most unstoppable rushing attacks in the league. They’ve been a quality rushing attack for years—the problem lies in the aerial attack.

Jason Campbell is a fine quarterback, but he needs more than Jacoby Ford and Darrius Heyward-Bey as his main options.

If Davis could bring in two, or even just one, of these five wide receivers, the Raiders have a great opportunity to shock the NFL in 2011.

5. Chad Ochocinco

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 02: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball before the NFL preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Imag

Chad Ochocinco still has a lot left in the tank—he just needs a change of scenery. He wants out of Cincinnati, and the Bengals should surely want him out as well.

Hue Jackson and Ochocinco have a history together dating back to Jackson’s time in Cincy. Chad would at least feel comfortable making the move to from the black and orange to the black and silver—and Chad would definitely look good donning the Raiders colors. I can see it now—making the switch from gold grills to silver grills.

It is important to note that Chad would be able to dominate nearly every cornerback in the AFC West. With his great route running, footwork and dependable hands, he would resurrect his career with Jason Campbell tossing him the rock.

More importantly, Chad can mentor the Raiders’ young receiving corps.

4. Santana Moss

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Wide receiver Santana Moss #89 of the Washington Redskins makes a touchdown pass reception against Alan Ball #20 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Ge

Santana Moss is currently an unrestricted free agent, which would allow the Raiders to bring him in without having to offer anything but a contract.

At this point, why Santana would ever return to Washington is beyond me.

Moss needs a change of scenery just as badly as the Raiders need a true No. 1 target for Campbell. It’s tough to think of too many receivers who would be better to bring in right now than Santana given his history with Campbell.

These two already know each other from their days in Washington, so the chemistry would come back immediately. Whereas Campbell would have to work diligently to learn the tendencies of a new No.1 receiver, Moss could come to Oakland for one last run of success.

He has developed into a reliable, strong receiver who is not afraid to go over the middle. The Raiders need a player of his caliber who can take the ball and quickly turn up field. Moss appears to be a great, affordable option for Al Davis.

3. Terrell Owens

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 10: Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates his 43-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Paul Brown Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tampa Bay defeated Cincin

I’ve said it for years—Terrell Owens would look awesome in black and silver. This is the type of charismatic superstar Oakland fans have been dying for. He would feed off the energy in the Black Hole and do everything he can to celebrate in front of these Raider fanatics.

He can still play at an extremely high level and knows he can be the No. 1 wide receiver on a team. The Raiders are a perfect destination as their young receivers would thrive with Owens demanding attention from the defense.

As we saw in 2010, a motivated Terrell is almost unstoppable. He would come to Oakland knowing that this team desperately needs him to perform at a high level. We know Owens will go where the money is—and he could make a killing in Oakland.

2. Santonio Holmes

Nick Laham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets celebrates after he scored a third quarter touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvani

Of course, free agent Santonio Holmes has to be on the list. He has been arguably the most clutch receiver in the game since breaking out three years ago during the Steelers’ Super Bowl victory.

This former Super Bowl MVP would provide the Raiders with everything they are looking for—a deep threat who is not afraid to carry the entire team on his shoulders.

Jason Campbell would love to have a player of this caliber who has the ability to stretch the field and the willingness to haul in tough passes.

Holmes wants to be the shining star of an organization—right now, Oakland is ready to be had. He is just now entering the prime of his career, which is dangerous for the rest of the AFC West.

The Raiders would be able to lock up a young, highly talented clutch receiver for the remainder of his prime.

1. Steve Smith

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - DECEMBER 05: Wide receiver Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won, 31-14. (Photo by Otto Greule

Smith is one of the toughest wide receivers in the league. This veteran still has a ton of fight left in his strong frame. He is simply one of the league’s greatest warriors.

Smith has the ideal skill set for this Raiders offense, as he can legitimately do it all. At times, you scratch your head wondering how this man can do the things he does.

He has excellent vision, ball skills, toughness, leaping ability, speed and agility. Once he gets the hand on the ball, he is a  threat to take it all the way to the house.

He fits in perfectly with this team that thrives on having its back against the wall. Smith is the type of player that goes in like a chained dog in the corner ready to bust loose. He is a gritty, tough-nosed, competitive man.

He would thrive in the “Black Hole” as he continues to strengthen his dominance and cement his legacy as one of the game’s greatest wide receivers.

Smith would enjoy playing with Jason Campbell, who at times will just key in on one receiver. What better receiver for Campbell than Smith right now?