2017 Positional Review: Receivers
Entering the 2017 season, many regarded the Raiders passing attack as one of the best groups in the league. A key component to that high praise was the receivers. You had two-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper leading the group, touchdown machine Michael Crabtree, Seth Roberts, speedster Cordarrelle Patterson and the mismatch nightmare Jared Cook.
To say this group underperformed this season would be an understatement. Drops, fumbles, injuries, and suspensions occurred in during this rollercoaster of a season.
Amari Cooper: 14 games, 48 receptions, 680 yards, 7 TD’s
Although Amari Cooper set a career high in touchdown receptions last season, Cooper disappointed. Injuries, drops, and poor production filled the 2017 season. At one point last season, Cooper tallied 13 receptions, 84 yards and no touchdowns in a five week stretch (weeks 2-6).
Michael Crabtree: 14 games, 58 receptions, 618 yards, 8 TD’s
Michael Crabtree enjoyed a solid first half of the season. Crabtree appeared on pace for his first double digit touchdown season, after starting the year with six touchdowns in the team’s first seven weeks of the season. Then, Crabtree earned with a one game suspension, after his incident in the second Broncos game. As the season evolved, snaps for Crabtree dwindled. To the point where in the final game of the season, Crabtree registered only 17 snaps. We might have seen the last of Crabtree in a Raiders uniform.
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Seth Roberts: 15 games, 43 receptions, 455 yards, 1 TD
After signing a two-year extension last offseason, the expectations for Roberts to step in as a major contributor for the Raiders never panned out. Even though Roberts set a career high in receptions, he struggled with drops in key situations and costly penalties (Chargers game) this past year.
Cordarrelle Patterson: 16 games, 31 receptions, 309 yards, 13 rushes, 121 yards, 2 TD’s
Brought in to be a spark on the special teams, Cordarrelle Patterson did most of his damage in the rushing game this season. Patterson, who finished with two long rushing touchdowns in 2017, was a nice spark in the offense. Against the Giants, Patterson had his best game of the season and finished with four receptions and 97 yards.
Jared Cook: 16 games, 54 receptions, 688 yards, 2 TD’s
Jared Cook bounced back nicely this year, after his disappointing 2016 season. Cook caught a career best 54 passes and had his best yardage season since 2011. At one point in 2017 (week 7-9), Cook and Carr were on fire. The former Green Bay Packer slowed down some as the season went on, but the Raiders were definitely pleased with Cook’s performance as a whole.
