It's not exactly a secret that the Oakland Raiders struggled on offense in 2014. Rookie quarterback Derek Carr did as much as he could, but the Raiders still ranked 26th in the NFL in passing yards per game (204.7) and 31st in scoring (15.8).
Oakland believes Carr can develop into a franchise quarterback and is intent on providing him with some help this offseason. With roughly $50 million in salary cap space, they have more than enough resources to do so. One popular name being thrown around is Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb, who is set to hit the open market. But another, less flashy name that could still help in Carr's development is Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Lance Moore.
Sure, Moore disappointed in Pittsburgh this season with just 14 catches for 198 yards and two touchdowns. But his isn't far removed from solid production and is the type of sure-handed veteran that Carr needs at this early juncture of his career.
"[Raiders general manager Reggie] McKenzie might also want to bring in a veteran to add to Oakland's group of young receivers," ESPN's Michael Wagaman wrote. "Moore, 31, caught 65 passes for 1,041 yards two years ago in New Orleans, and scored 34 touchdowns from 2008-2012 despite being in a receiver-heavy offense with the Saints."
The Raiders could also address the thin wide receiver position in the 2015 NFL draft.
"Oakland owns the fourth overall pick in the draft, and could use it on Alabama's Amari Cooper, who won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver in 2014," Wagaman wrote.
ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. projects that exact scenario unfolding in his Mock Draft 1.0. After Cooper set SEC records with 124 receptions for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns this past season, it's not a surprise to see why.
"...the Raiders have also likely found their franchise quarterback in Derek Carr, and they really need to add a high-level wide receiver in that offense...Cooper can be a Reggie Wayne-like starter for years in the right offense," Kiper wrote.
Both pass-catchers would be nice additions for Carr as he continues to develop at the pro level.
