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Ranking the Oakland Raiders Training Camp Roster: 40-31

By Nick Hjeltness

Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders nose tackle Denico Autry (96) sacks San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) for a safety in the fourth quarter during an NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders nose tackle Denico Autry (96) sacks San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) for a safety in the fourth quarter during an NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; St. Louis Rams linebacker Daren Bates (53) celebrates after recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; St. Louis Rams linebacker Daren Bates (53) celebrates after recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

36. Daren Bates

A special teams veteran, Daren Bates comes to Oakland looking for an opportunity to earn more playing time as a linebacker after failing to increase his role while with the St. Louis (now Los Angeles) Rams during his three seasons with the team.

Bates did develop a reputation as one of the better special teams players in the league while with the Rams as a player who was always in the mix for tackles while on the coverage team. Something that the Raiders have shown they value by inking Taiwan Jones to a longterm deal largely due to his skills as a gunner on the punt team.

Special teams is not the most exciting department on a roster, but talented players are needed in those roles and Bates can deliver when placed on the field to do his job. He might not contribute much more than on special teams after failing to catch on as a linebacker in three seasons so far, but Bates should be a welcome addition to the Raiders roster as a needed hustle player to do the thankless jobs.

– Chase Ruttig 

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