Oakland Raiders 2014 Undrafted Free Agent Player Profiles

Dec 27, 2013; Alameda, CA, USA; General view of an Oakland Raiders helmet at press conference at Oakland Raiders Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

1. LB- Carlos Fields (Winston-Salem) 6′ 1″ 238 lbs.

This Division II School LB was voted CIAA Defensive Player of the Year for both his Junior and Senior years.  He led his team in tackles both years which earned him All-American honors.  He is a heady player who displays a natural explosion for the ball on tape.  His anticipation puts him in the correct position to make a play on the ball.

The biggest knock on him is that he isn’t the strongest technician, and he has a tendency to over-pursue.  Also, scouts worry that he will have a hard time transitioning to the NFL-Level.  However, it is said that he plays alert and competitive with the intensity needed for the next level.  It will be a big jump in transition for him from Division II to the NFL, but his nose for the ball and athletic traits could help him develop well.

2. OT- Danny Kistler (Montana) 6′ 7″ 315 lbs.

What a large specimen he is.  This guy towers above a lot of the linemen he faced.  Out in Big-Sky Country, Kistler was a giant.  However, he is very raw.  Although, he was named to the First Team All Big-Sky Conference two years in a row (2012/2013).  He was a three-year starter for Montana at OT and OG (Sophomore year).

This Seattle, Washington, native was recruited out of High School by colleges like Hawaii, Fresno State, Oregon State, Boise State, and Idaho.  With the need for big beefy linemen to fill in the gaps on the Raiders roster, Kistler definitely fits this bill.

3. FB- Karl Williams (Utah) 6′ 0″ 243 lbs.

Karl Williams was a walk-on at Utah for his first three seasons.  Finally, he earned a scholarship to play football for the Utes his Senior year.  He was primarily used as a Special Teams player, but he has the ability to become a run blocker in short-yardage/goal-line situations.

His best opportunity to make the Oakland Raiders roster will be to impress Special Teams Coordinator Bobby April.  Other than that, this is most likely a try-out for another NFL organization.  Who knows though, he could become one of the leading fullback’s in the NFL, but he will have a long row to hoe.