The Raiders had a low-key transactional week, though, they made quite a few moves that fell mostly under the radar. Among the roster moves made by Oakland GM Mike Mayock, slot receiver Seth Roberts was released, while S Jordan Richards, DE Alex Barrett, WR Ryan Grant, and CB Daryl Worley each signed contracts to join the Raiders.
Roberts' departure will need to be addressed, as the five-year veteran amassed 494 receiving yards on 45 receptions, finding the end zone twice. His knack for finding holes in the defense, particularly in the red zone and in the back of the end zone, will surely be missed–especially by quarterback Derek Carr. The arrival of top receiver Antonio Brown, as well as ex-Charger Tyrell Williams significantly-weakened Roberts' prospects for the 2019 season, and with a salary cap hit of $4.65 million, practically sealed his fate. The Raiders also picked up former-Cardinal wideout JJ Nelson, who should fit in nicely as the slot receiver in coach Gruden's offense.
Safety Jordan Richards, who spent time with the Patriots and Falcons, will provide defensive backfield depth for a Raider team that has performed abysmally against the pass over the past several seasons. Richards was originally drafted by New England in the second round (64th overall) of the 2015 draft. He spent three seasons with the Pats, appearing in 41 games of which he started seven. After being used sparingly in New England, he was traded to the Falcons, where he was given a serious opportunity to showcase his skills. Starting in 12 games (15 appearances), Richards recorded 39 tackles and 3 passes defensed.
Another AAF pickup for the NFL, defensive end Alex Barrett will represents another welcome addition to the Raiders' defensive positional depth. In eight games with the AAF's San Diego Fleet, Barrett racked up 15 tackles and two sacks. Not solely an AAF-alum, Barrett has some NFL experience. In 2017, after going undrafted out of San Diego State University, he found himself on the Detroit Lions' roster, appearing in two games before ultimately being relegated to their practice squad.
Ryan Grant is a receiver who played in Washington for four years, before heading to the Colts for the 2018 season. A former fifth-round (142nd overall) draft pick of the Redskins back in 2014, Grant contributed very little during his first couple of seasons in the NFL. However, his final season with Washington showed the young wideout's promising talent, as he found the end zone four times, posting 573 yards on 45 receptions. Although the chief reason Grant was acquired was for depth, any unfortunate injuries that may befall one of those ahead of him on the depth chart could open up an opportunity for extended playing time.
Daryl Worley is probably the most notable of the Raiders' transactions from this past week. The cornerback and former-Panther played his first season with the Raiders in 2018. Starting nine games (10 appearances), Worley held his own, dishing out 33 tackles, seven passes defensed, and one interception. Mayock and Gruden still have their work cut out for them as far as cornerbacks are concerned, as they are dangerously thin at that position currently. But, while that is a problem for another day, Worley will be a nice compliment opposite Oakland's vastly-improved former-first round pick Gareon Conley.