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NFL • 10 months ago

5 Oakland Raiders Who Must Step Up During 2015 OTAs

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

5 Oakland Raiders Who Must Step Up During 2015 OTAs

The Oakland Raiders hired Jack Del Rio this past offseason to help take them over the hump and back into playoff contention. It has been a long time since the Raiders were considered legitimate contenders, but they have a lot of talent on their roster and have a chance to change that over the next few seasons. These five players in particular must step up during 2015 OTAs.

The Oakland Raiders hired Jack Del Rio this past offseason to help take them over the hump and back into playoff contention. It has been a long time since the Raiders were considered legitimate contenders, but they have a lot of talent on their roster and have a chance to change that over the next few seasons. These five players in particular must step up during 2015 OTAs.

5. D.J. Hayden, CB

5. D.J. Hayden, CB

The Oakland Raiders selected D.J. Hayden with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft and were expecting him to become a star. Last season, Hayden ended up recording just 47 tackles, an interception and 10 defensed passes. Those numbers aren't going to get the job done, and he has to take the next step towards his full potential this offseason in order to regain the Raiders' trust.

4. Sio Moore, LB

4. Sio Moore, LB

Sio Moore is one of the best players on the Raiders' roster, but he has yet to come close to reaching his full potential. If he takes that step forward this season, Oakland is going to have a much more dangerous and dominant defense. Everything starts with OTAs for Moore, and there is no question that he is ready to step up and make the necessary improvements.

3. Christian Ponder, QB

3. Christian Ponder, QB

Oakland signed former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder this past offseason, and they are hoping that he can become a quality backup. They want him to be a mentor for Derek Carr, but the Raiders are going to need to see something from him first to keep him on the roster. Matt McGloin is the current backup, but Ponder can change that with a solid offseason of work.

2. Trent Richardson, RB

2. Trent Richardson, RB

Coming off of two depressing seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, Trent Richardson is in need of a comeback season in 2015. The Raiders decided to give him a chance to compete for a starting job with Latavius Murray, and he seems to have his energy and excitement back. There are still plenty of reasons to be skeptical, but Richardson has a chance this offseason to prove himself once again.

1. Michael Crabtree, WR

1. Michael Crabtree, WR

Michael Crabtree is without question the top player the Raiders need to have step up this offseason. He has the potential to be the No. 1 wide receiver that the Raiders have been seeking, but Crabtree hasn't shown that type of potential to this point in his career. OTAs are going to be important for him, and he has to figure out how to take the leap and reach his full potential.

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Evan Massey is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.

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