Five Oakland Raiders Rookies Who Will Breakout in Training Camp

Sep 21, 2013; Provo, UT, USA; Utah Utes tight end Jake Murphy (82) catches a pass between Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Uani Unga (41) and defensive back Daniel Sorensen (9) at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Utah Utes defeated Brigham Young Cougars 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jake Murphy – TE

Jake Murphy, also a Utah Ute, was one of two Tight Ends taken by McKenzie in the UFA class, along with Scott Simonson, a Division II All-American.  While the Tight End position group seems pretty packed with returning players Mychal Rivera, Nick Kasa, David Ausberry and Brian Leonhardt, only Rivera seems a definite lock for the 2014 roster.  Murphy was a quality receiving TE for the Utes, and at 6’4″ and 249 is bigger and stronger than Rivera – and just as fast – but with the soft hands and route running ability that Leonhardt and Kasa lack.  He was also serviceable as a run blocker in college, and his good strength suggests he could be coached into a consistent blocker at the NFL level. His good speed and hands may make him a popular target for Derek Carr and Matt McGloin in camp and the early preseason games, and if the David Ausberry experiment finally ends this year, Murphy will make the cut as a second receiving TE.