Top 50 Position Battles: Raiders third receiver
#43. Raiders third receiver: Travis Taylor vs. Mike Williams vs. Doug Gabriel vs. Johnnie Lee Higgins
I like Oakland’s starting tandem: Ronald Curry and Jerry Porter. They can get the job done. Not sure if the quarterback can, but that’s another battle. I know their receiver depth is weak.
Gabriel couldn’t hang on in New England last year, and his shine is off. Mike Williams is viewed as a bounceback sleeper candidate by some, but he couldn’t stay healthy or in shape during minicamp season. He should be considered dead to fantasy leaguers unless he shows any life.
I’ve been hanging on to Williams in my deep dynasty league, but probably only because I wasted such a high pick on him and no one else wants him. He could be done very shortly.
Johnnie Lee Higgins is a typically raw Raiders mid-round pick speed threat (Jonnie Morant and Carlos Francis anyone?).
By the process of elimination, Travis Taylor has to be the favorite here. He doesn't do anything that well, but has caught 107 passes the last two seasons. He’s serviceable defined. Oakland could use serviceable. Your fantasy team should aim higher.
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Thanks for stopping by this week and enjoy the one of the last two pre-training camp weekends. I'm thinking of trying the ridiculous sounding Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City. Any New Yorkers out there can tell me if I'm making a horrible mistake. We'll post one position battle each weekend day so we don't fall too far behind.
Comments
Gregg, It is nice to see someone writing about the Raiders actually know something about their roster. I don't agree with everything, but at least you are not another hater. J.P. and Ron are solid, but #3 is up in the air. Higgins caught 80/90 last year, I feel is a fball player with track speed rather than track playing fball. My point, not too raw. Morant is not a burner, but a preseason superstar. Will Buchanon looks solid as does Francis if ever staying healthy. My point again, is that the depth is good, just unproven at this point. I'm over Gabriel and Whitted.
Posted by: michael ellis | July 17, 2007 10:30 AM