Las Vegas Raiders make another roster move to a position group that needs as much competition as it can get
The Las Vegas Raiders are not done adding to their roster. In fact, they have added yet another player before they really get going on the serious stuff for the offseason. Before the games start, there is training camp, which is still a ways away, but they want to be prepared. And, Pete Carroll, the […]
The Las Vegas Raiders are not done adding to their roster. In fact, they have added yet another player before they really get going on the serious stuff for the offseason. Before the games start, there is training camp, which is still a ways away, but they want to be prepared.
And, Pete Carroll, the former Seattle Seahawks head coach, knows exactly what he is doing, as does John Spytek, who helped put together some elite rosters with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So, all of these moves that they make, every single one are strategic in some way.
This time, the Raiders signed another wide receiver to add to a room that really doesn't have much competition behind the four main guys, two of them being rookies.
Raiders sign WR Collin Johnson
Collin Johnson, a 27-year-old wide receiver, is 6'6" and is a big target that could be useful in the red zone. A fifth-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020 out of Texas, Johnson has played for the Jaguars, New York Giants, and Chicago Bears, appearing in 38 games with 31 catches for 394 yards and two touchdowns. He’s also made six tackles on special teams, showing he can contribute beyond offense, which is very important to Spytek and Carroll.
At Texas, Johnson played 45 games, starting 29, and recorded 188 receptions for 2,624 yards and 15 touchdowns. Despite a strong college career, he hasn’t found consistent success in the NFL. But, that doesn't mean he can't carve out a nice role for himself on the Raiders.
With 12 wide receivers on the roster, Johnson will need to compete hard to make the final 53-man roster during training camp. His size and experience could help, but he’s likely to start on special teams or in a limited offensive role. Either way, having a guy who is 6'6" is always helpful.
Las Vegas Raiders’ new wide receiver Dont’e Thornton is already showing an awareness trait that not every rookie has
The Raiders are banking on his development.
