It seems likely that the Raiders may carry five wide receivers in 2016. That means four of those five already are known: Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, Seth Roberts and Andre Holmes.
Which means that two impressive undrafted rookies, Max McCaffrey and Joe Hansley, may be competing throughout training camp for the final spot. So far, it appears McCaffrey and Hansley are ahead of two other undrafted rookies, KJ Brent and Jaydon Mickens.
Of course, that could change once the exhibition season begins and all get a chance to put up numbers in live competition.
But following the end of the team’s recent three-day mandatory minicamp, McCaffrey may be the leader of the entire group, according to Paul Gutierrez, who covers the team for ESPN.com.
Wrote Gutierrez: “McCaffrey has the genes and the speed to be a slot receiver and special-teams ace to beat out the rest of the undrafted receivers.”
McCaffrey, son of former Broncos standout receiver Ed McCaffrey, is 6-feet, 200 pounds, and was a three-year starter at Duke. In 53 games Max McCaffrey caught 117 passes for 1,341 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The younger McCaffrey says he was excited to sign with Oakland and play with quarterback Derek Carr and several other up-and-coming stars.
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“I’ll do anything,” McCaffrey told a reporter. “I’ll go out there and play special teams. I’ll play receiver, make a catch when we need to, just go out there and give it my all.”
Hansley, meanwhile, is just 5-foot-8 and 168 pounds, but he also has been impressive in organized team activities and the recent minicamp, especially as a slot receiver.
Levi Damien of SB Nation noted that head coach Carr even singled him out for praise after one practice,
“You see Hansley always working the corners with his route-running abilities,” said Carr. “Really good. Really good routes. Very impressive.”
Hansley was a playmaker in four seasons at Colorado State, catching 136 passes for 1,842 yards and 12 TDs. He also returned three punts and kickoff for touchdowns.
The battle between undrafted free-agent receivers should be one of the most interesting to watch throughout training camp.
