JBB Staff Column: Five Questions on the Oakland Raiders

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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 /

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?

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