Oakland Raiders: Five dark horse players to make the 2014 roster

Nov 28, 2013; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver Mike Davis (1) makes a catch ahead of Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Olaoluwa Falemi (29) during the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas beat Texas Tech 41-16. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Davis, WR

A UDFA out of the University of Texas, Mike Davis likely should have been a seventh round pick or higher if some injuries and poor quarterback play from the Longhorns didn’t hamstring his senior season where Davis didn’t live up to the potential of being one of the best receivers in the Big 12 at all times in 2013.

Planning on entering the 2013 NFL Draft after a season where he caught 57 passes for 939 yards and seven touchdowns, Davis returned for his senior season with the Longhorns and saw his draft stock drop despite having a strong senior season despite the struggles Texas had during head coach Mack Brown’s final season in charge. Playing with multiple quarterbacks who in all honesty weren’t very good, (Looking at you, Case McCoy) Davis still managed to catch 51 passes for 727 yards and eight touchdowns in what was one of the worst seasons in recent memory for the Longhorns program.

That down season arguably led to Davis falling out of the draft, but there is a chance that he could make enough plays to crack a competitive Raiders depth chart at the wideout position that many around the league are overlooking in terms of depth. James Jones, Rod Streater, Andre Holmes, Denarius Moore, and Greg Little all should likely make the roster barring injury or a drop in play come the naming of the 53 man roster which makes Davis a longshot to make the roster heading into training camp.

Don’t count out Davis impressing the Raiders enough to give him a shot as the team’s sixth receiver if he can make enough plays in practice and preseason action, but looking at trying to crack a group of veterans at the position is why the former Texas star is on the outside looking in for now. That need to produce makes Davis a player to watch however as Raiders fans should expect full efforts from the majority of wideouts all summer with a tight competition for roster spots being very likely.