JBB Staff Column: Five Questions on the Oakland Raiders

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4), wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) and wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) warm up before the start of the game against the Tennessee Titans at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4), wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) and wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) warm up before the start of the game against the Tennessee Titans at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) congratulates wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) after Cooper made a second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) congratulates wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) after Cooper made a second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Name one offensive and one defensive player poised for a breakout season.

Blackhanside: Menelik Watson. Denico Autry. Because….of course.

Brazy: Bruce Irvin and Clive.

Dylan: We’ve seen Kyle Rudolph and Zach Ertz both blossom under OC Bill Musgrave’s tutelage. *looks at Clive Walford* It’s time, young man.

On the defensive side of the ball, I had Mario Edwards Jr. tabbed to make waves, but injuries squashed that real quick. No worries, Denico Autry will pick up where he left off last season.

Justin: Offense: Seth Roberts. He will emerge as one of the top slot receivers in the NFL and one of Carr’s favorite targets, as teams double-team Cooper and Crabtree and are forced to leave their nickel or dime backs covering Roberts, who’s too quick.

Defense: Jihad Ward. I know he’s a rookie, but he’s going to get more opportunities with Edwards Jr. being out, and has shown the speed, athleticism and strength to play both 3-technique DT and 5-technique DE. He’s going to be a stud by the end of the year.

Nick: Amari Cooper seems like a cop-out of an answer, but it has to be home. He flashed big-time potential last year, and now that he is in his second season with Carr and the offense, he’ll be considered a top ten wide receiver by the time January comes around.

Seth: Offense: Clive Walford. Defense: Denico Autry.

Tyler D.: Offense: Amari Cooper. He flirted with it last year but an injury held him back. This year, he levitates himself towards being a top ten player at his position.

Defense: Ben Heeney. I question if he’ll breakout as a star, but more so as a solid defender and director of the defense.

Tyler R.: Amari Cooper, Amari Cooper and Amari Cooper. The kid is set to be a top ten receiver this year, and a top five for the next five years. A not 100% healthy rookie pro bowl season is a precursor to Antonio Brown-like potential.

Defensively, David Amerson showed he wasn’t the bust that Washington thought he was. He will back that up with a top ten showing at the cornerback position, showing why McKenzie was a genius for locking him up for the foreseeable future.

Next: Raiders Question #5: Bold predictions?