Oakland Raiders: Depth at Wide Receiver, but Do They Have the Talent?

For Raiders fans of any age, mentioning the WR position either conjures up memories of Fred Biletnikoff, Cliff Branch, Tim Brown or for lesser duty, Ronald Curry in a snowstorm.

The Raiders have a unique history, of either finding constant support in the WR game, or if needed, incorporating the TE into the mix, producing guys like Dave Casper or Todd Christensen on the fly. At times the Raiders have gone out to find veterans who can still perform, picking up Jerry Rice, or getting burned by unstable players like Randy Moss.

For this year's WR group, two factors won't be around to help the team. One was last season's catching specialist, Zach Miller who defected to the Seahawks.

To fill this void, the team picked up Kevin Boss from the New York Giants, but for the wideouts, youth will be served, to the left and right side.

First up steps Darrius Heyward-Bey, a player with talent, but after two years, has been inconsistent at catching the ball. In one decent game last year, DHB managed to catch five passes for 105 yards and a touchdown against the Seahawks. Some thought maybe he had hit his stride. By the end of the season, he accounted for only 26 total catches and less than 400 yards.

Behind DHB in the pecking order would be Louis Murphy, another talented player for the Raiders with some good speed to work free of defenders. Limited this preseason by injury, during his first two years he has 75 catches and over 1100 yards...and six TDs, making some wonder if the wrong player is not starting games for the Raiders. His bright spots in 2010 saw him catch six passes, first against the Cards in a painful loss, then six more against the Jaguars, with a touchdown in each game.

Penciled in for the Raiders in the third spot is both a hope for the future and a lot of excitement. Denarius Moore, a fifth-round draft pick for the Raiders this year, had a lot of people watching his practices and did not disappoint during the first preseason game. Leading the team with three catches for 37 yards, Moore also showed some talent on returns, handling a punt that went 56 yards, if not for a penalty called on him. Depending on Hue Jackson's ideas for this squad, Moore could serve in two functions...or open up the idea of three and four WR sets for opposing teams to work against.

On the other WR spot, leading off is a familiar name for the Raiders, Jacoby Ford. Currently nursing a broken hand, Ford last year has hard to stop and didn't record a reception until week Seven against Denver. Specializing in return duties on Kickoffs, Ford has a lot of people wondering how this player lasted until round Four.

Behind Ford, is one of the older members of the roster, Chaz Schilens, a 2008 draft pick who has shown flashes of talent, but has had problems staying healthy since his second year. In only eight games in 2009, he picked up 29 catches, 265 yards and two touchdowns, but appeared in only five games last year, for five catches. Some are wondering if this is about time to cut Chaz loose, to make room for other up and coming talents.

Behind Chaz is Nick Miller, a player that has impressed the team as well, both in pinch duty and returning duty. In nine games, Miller caught three passes, returned two kicks and handled 35 punts, the latter managing a 7.3 average. Some wonder with Moore's ability, if Miller is running out of time.

The Raiders did benefit from addition from subtraction this offseason, as Johnnie Lee Higgins departed via free agency.

Some have mentioned the team might do well to pick up another free agent, having the team been linked to Chad Ocho-Cinco in the free agency period and heaven forbid Randy Moss. The key factor the Raiders need, is to stay healthy.

As it stands, DHB will need to make some noise this year, or he might find himself riding the bench. Nobody thought Al Davis would let Jamarcus Russell sit down either...until the mistake was too glaring to ignore.

Oakland stands good where they are now, for depth. Only time will tell, if the players mature fast enough for the NFL.