Not much going on leading up to tomorrow's rookie minicamp.
There will be a lot of guys on the field with no chance of making the roster, but if the team is able to find one or two players with a chance to make the team (outside of the drafted players) the weekend will have been a success.
I won't make too much out of anything Darren McFadden does because he'll be competing against players that might not make any NFL roster. And it's a non-contact camp, so I'm only guaranteed of seeing McFadden run fast without pads, which I saw at the NFL Combine.
I did find this tidbit on Raiders receiver Todd Watkins from the San Diego Union-Tribune today:
Raiders like Watkins
Receiver Todd Watkins, formerly of Helix High and Grossmont College, was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Raiders and signed to a one-year contract.
“I'm excited about my chances here,” said Watkins, who hopes to make an impression in the Raiders' minicamp. “I've paid my dues, and now it's my turn to show what I can do.”
Selected out of Brigham Young University in the seventh round of the 2006 draft by the Arizona Cardinals, Watkins spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad.
The 6-foot-2, 191-pound Watkins was elevated to the active roster for the season finale against the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium but did not play.
After being released by the Cardinals, Watkins signed with Atlanta. He spent the 2007 season on the Falcons' practice squad.
What are Watkins' realistic chances of making the team? It's hard to say. There was a time a relatively high draft pick like Johnnie Lee Higgins was guaranteed a second year with the team. But another third round pick in 2007, DE Quentin Moses, didn't even make the team last year.
The Raiders drafted two receivers and signed Javon Walker and Drew Carter. Those two, along with Ronald Curry are locks.
I assume the Raiders will carry more than four receivers this year after using three almost all of last season.
That leaves Higgins, Chris McFoy, rookies Arman Shields and Chaz Schilens among a group of players scrambling for a couple of spots.
But it's way too early to worry about that. Then again, the Raiders might find another receiver this weekend.
--Jason Jones
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