Raiders TE Clive Walford flashed his ability several times last year. If he takes off and becomes a consistent and effective weapon for Derek Carr, the Raiders’ offense adds a new dynamic.

Some of the momentum in that regard stalled though this offseason when Walford was involved in an ATV accident. He injured his knee enough that it required surgery, but the expectation has always been that he’ll be back for training camp.

The story went on to say Walford needs as much time during training camp with Carr as possible. Walford missed the bulk of training camp last year with a pair of injuries. That missed time together came after Carr was out for OTAs with an injury. The Raiders offense has a chance to be good this year and a weapon at TE can only make it better. Walford should be around late in drafts to take a chance on, esp. if your league gives you the option of playing multiple at the position.

Seth Roberts knows his role and how to thrive in it. He's expected to be the Raiders slot receiver in 2016, a role earned last year and kept with a solid campaign that featured 32 receptions 480 yards, five touchdowns and several clutch catches.

Who could forget the game-winning touchdowns caught against Baltimore and Tennessee? He was a red zone target, clearly trusted by Derek Carr to make big plays even with Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree on the pitch.

Big plays didn’t build chemistry with his quarterback. Consistency was the key there.

“I always go back and study last year’s film, one thing I continued to see over and over again is when he was man-to-man, he won his route,” Carr said. “That is huge. And he’s not just winning, he’s creating separation.”

“We don’t number our receivers but when he comes in, he’s the third guy in,” Carr said. “When you have that and the third corner guarding him or a safety coming down guarding him and have that guy consistently winning, it just opens up so many things. … It just takes pressure off of everybody. His role is huge, then you put a guy like (Andre Holmes), knowing the big play ability he has and you put Seth next to him, now safeties and defensive coaches have to make decisions because Seth continues to win on his routes.”

Roberts finished as the #62 WR in PPR formats as a 24-year-old rookie. He's a player to consider on the waiver wire if anything were to happen to Amari Cooper or Michael Crabtree.

Amari Cooper received praise for his performance during the Raiders offseason program.

It was deserved. The second-year receiver was excellent in practices open to the press, working in precision with quarterback Derek Carr.

There’s clearly growth between passer and receiver, but Cooper himself has a spring in his step. He’s confident, comfortable with the Raiders and his place in the NFL.

Cooper suffered a foot injury in practice after Week 13. Prior to the injury, he was playing at an 83-1243-5.3 pace, and was the #18 receiver in standard and #17 in PPR. Over the final four games, he only managed 10 catches for 150 total yards and two touchdowns. Now that he’s back to full health, we’re expecting the early-season version of Cooper, and he may make further strides in his second season.

COWBOYS at REDSKINS
COWBOYS
Out
QB Tony Romo (left shoulder)

Questionable
S Jeff Heath (shoulder)

Probable
WR Dez Bryant (foot, knee), CB Morris Claiborne (hamstring, ankle)

REDSKINS
Out
LB Perry Riley (foot)

Questionable
TE Derek Carrier (ankle, achilles), CB Quinton Dunbar (finger), CB Deshazor Everett (hamstring), WR Andre Roberts (knee), LB Keenan Robinson (shoulder), RB Chris Thompson (shoulder)

Probable
DE Chris Baker (illness), CB Will Blackmon (shoulder, hip), S Dashon Goldson (knee, hamstring, wrist), CB DeAngelo Hall (toe), DE Jason Hatcher (knee), WR DeSean Jackson (illness), DT Terrance Knighton (migraine), C Josh LeRibeus (ankle, shoulder)

Both Bryant and Jackson are probable and expected to go in this NFC East matchup. Bryant was a full go in practice all week with foot and knee injuries while Jackson did not practice Saturday because of an illness, but is expected to play Monday night.