Oakland Raiders: Five Thoughts from Week 10

Maybe Taiwan Jones actually can be the full-time KR

Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Taiwan Jones (22) runs with the ball in the game San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Oakland won 37-29. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders KR and PR situation has been a mess all season long.

It all started with Andre Debose, who was placed an season-ending IR before the season started.

Several players since then have been signed and then released not too long after. Others such as T.J. Carrie, Amari Cooper and Taiwan Jones have rotated the responsibility.

None of them have fared all that well.

With Aldon Smith’s suspension, George Atkinson III could get a spot on the active roster. If he does, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him take a few reps at either KR or PR.

If not, I think it should be Taiwan Jones who takes over as the full-time kick returner.

Taiwan has struggled with ball security, and that of course is a big concern. But many players before him have fixed their fumbling issues, so it’s certainly possible for Taiwan to put this behind him.

With the ball in his hands, Taiwan is the most dangerous option who also isn’t an important part of the offense or defense. Which is why I don’t want Carrie or Amari returning punts or kicks.

This is from the Jets game and isn’t a kick return, but it shows what Taiwan is capable of with the ball in his hands.

Against the Vikings, Taiwan returned 6 kicks for 145 yards, good for a 24.2 average. His longest return was 37 yards, so there isn’t a huge run back that inflated his numbers.

Next: Week 10: Thought #5