The Las Vegas Raiders signed a flurry of undrafted rookie free agents following the draft. The was able to address positions all over the roster with their undrafted free agent class, but there’s one position that stands out.
While the Raiders are earning high marks for their draft class, wide receiver remains arguably the biggest need on the roster. The team didn’t address the position until the sixth round.
They decided to add three wide receivers in undrafted free agency. Former Indiana wide receiver EJ Williams was the first name to emerge, but the team signed two more.
First, BYU announced that wide receiver Chase Roberts signed with the Raiders. He has been a very productive wide receiver for the Cougars, having over 800 receiving yards in back-to-back seasons. He’s got good size at 6-foot-4, but doesn’t have elite speed. Roberts is also already 25, so it’s fair to question the upside.
In addition to Roberts, Arkansas State announced that wide receiver Corey Rucker has signed in Las Vegas. Rucker was a small school prospect, so he wasn’t expected to be drafted. He’s got decent size and speed, but needs work as a route runner. Notably, he broke the NCAA single-game record for receiving yards by a freshman in 2020 with 310 against Louisiana-Monroe.
Scouting Report on Roberts
Roberts faces an uphill battle making the Raiders roster, but he does fit their need for more size at the position. It seems like every year the Raiders have a rookie wide receiver who surprises the team and earns a roster spot.
Roberts would be a great candidate to be that wide receiver this year. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein believes Roberts has what it takes to make a roster.
“Roberts is a two-time captain who has stair-stepped his production in each season at BYU,” Zierlein wrote. “He has good size and adequate speed but won’t be an NFL separator on deep throws. He runs routes with good disguise and above-average technique. He lacks foot quickness for easy press release but has the footwork necessary to get in and out of breaks cleanly over the first two levels. He plays tough through contact and is an above-average combat-catch winner. He’s slow to gain positioning on 50/50s downfield, though. Roberts is an older prospect, which could impact his draft slotting, but he has the size and talent to make a roster.”
Scouting Report on Zucker
Zuker wasn’t at a big school like BYU, so he’s less of a known commodity. Zierlein likes Zucker’s talent, but it a little worried that he doesn’t win enough contested catches when he’s targeted.
“Size, speed and production are check marks in Rucker’s favor,” Zierlein wrote. “He has good straight-line speed but is average as a route-runner and well below average when it’s time to finish catches. I did not see a lot of improvement from him as a ball-winner over the course of six seasons. While he possesses intriguing talent, it’s hard to imagine Rucker building camp momentum given his inconsistency when it comes to reeling in throws.”
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