Five Potential Breakout Oakland Raiders In 2015

Nov 16, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback Keith McGill (39) before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

4. Keith McGill

At 6’3”, 211 pounds Keith McGill has all of the physical tools to excel as a defensive back in the NFL, and after an injury-plagued rookie season he is ready to take his game to the next step.

The former fourth-round pick out of the University of Utah in 2014 entered the NFL with confidence after having a lot of experience in man-to-man coverage against some of the fastest receivers in the NCAA at the time.

“I’m used to playing 90 to 100 snaps per game all man,” McGill said to Josh Furlong of ksl.com. “I guarded two of the fastest receivers at the combine — the fastest, Brandin Cooks, and the third fastest, Paul Richardson. I think that if I can guard those guys man-to-man, then I can be good in the NFL.”

Although McGill’s snap-count within games was most likely noted during the pre-draft process, the 25-year-old rookie took a much more “backseat” role in his first season as he on the field for just 144 defensive snaps in 12 games in 2014.

According to Bill Williamson of ESPN.com, McGill is now ready to take the driver’s seat in 2015 as he saw a majority of reps within the first-team defense in early June ahead of 2013 first round pick D.J. Hayden.

It is not far-fetched for McGill to find success in 2015 behind newly added defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. (a coach that has experience dealing with tall defensive backs). McGill should continue to thrive within Oakland’s new defensive scheme, and he could possibly turn into yet another youthful, productive starting cornerback alongside fellow second-year player T.J. Carrie.

Next: Potential Breakout Raiders: Roy Helu Jr.