Former Oakland Raiders stars still looking for work in 2019

Teams are already in the middle of rookie minicamp, and the NFL Draft is over, but some former Oakland Raiders stars are still looking for work.

The 2019 Oakland Raiders have the talent to be one of the better squads we have seen in a long time, after new general manager Mike Mayock not only turned this roster over, but turned it over with incredibly talented players. After a stellar 2019 NFL Draft, the Raiders currently are having their rookie minicamp, where we are getting our first look at the newest members of the franchise.

Looking back over the past couple of years, there has certainly been more losses than wins, as the team has had only one winning season since 2002. Despite all the losing, there have been some solid players to come through and don the Silver and Black, making Pro Bowls, and helping the team to the playoffs back in 2016.

Heading into  the 2019 season, the Raiders have done a nice job adding talent via free agency, bringing in guys like Lamarcus Joyner, Tyrell Williams, and Trent Brown to name a few. While there will be plenty of new Raiders in 2019, there are some old Raiders who are still looking for work.

Offensive tackle Donald Penn and wide receiver Michael Crabtree were two huge members of that 2016 Raiders team, who earned themselves a Wild Card spot. In fact, had Derek Carr not broken his leg on Christmas Eve in Week 16, the team would have likely gone further in the playoffs, considering Connor Cook was making his first NFL start in that game against Houston.

Penn sat out most of last year with the Raiders due to injury, and the two sides decided to part ways this offseason. Oakland has revamped the offensive tackle spot this offseason by signing Brown, who will start at right tackle, with second-year player, Kolton Miller starting on the left side.

While Crabtree certainly shined during his time in Oakland, the Raiders actually have an abundance of talent at the wide receiver position heading into 2019, so there is no way he comes back. Last season, Crabtree started all 16 games for the Baltimore Ravens, hauling in 54 passes for over 600 yards and three touchdowns.

While it is unlikely that these players will ever wear the Silver and Black again, it will be interesting to see where they latch on. They still have some good football left in them, and it is pretty surprising that they are still looking for work as we make our way through May.