Team news: Buffalo Bills | Page 74

The Raiders signed veteran Michael Crabtree from San Francisco on April 13 and then used the No. 4 overall pick on Alabama receiver Amari Cooper in the first round of the draft last Thursday night. Cooper and Crabtree are both expected to start.

Crabtree hasn't been himself since his Achilles injury, but there is opportunity in the Raider receiving corps. The problem is that he's not markedly better than Andre Holmes or Rod Streater, so Crabtree could end up anywhere from second to fourth in the pecking order by the time preseason rolls around.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have made running back Melvin Gordon the favorite to with the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The sportsbook Bovada.com lists Gordon's odds at 13 to 2.

Quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, drafted first and second, are next at 7 to 1.

Behind them are three other players drafted before Gordon: receiver Amari Cooper 15-2, running back Todd Gurley 8-1 and receiver Kevin White 10-1.

All six players were first round picks. We agree that Gordon has the best chance to shine among the running backs, especially since Gurley is coming off of an ACL tear.

Raiders beat writer Jerry McDonald on expectations for WR Amari Cooper: "Anything less than 70 receptions and 1,000 yards receiving from Cooper will be a disappointment, considering his skill set, experience as a route-runner and status as the fourth pick in the draft."

Adding five touchdowns to the mix would give Cooper about 200 fantasy points in PPR formats, or about what Eric Decker scored as 2014's #26 receiver. Cooper is currently going #22 in early best ball PPR drafts.

Veteran receiver James Jones is being released by the Raiders.

The team selected Alabama receiver Amari Cooper with the No. 4 overall draft pick in last week’s draft.

The Raiders also signed veteran receiver Michael Crabtree late in free agency and, with Rod Streater back healthy and Cooper in the fold, Jones became an odd man out.

The article didn't mention Andre Holmes, but he's also in the mix for snaps. Jones led the team in receptions and touchdowns, and was second to Holmes in receiving yards. The only receiver we would trust in Oakland is Cooper, since he's likely to be immediately thrust into a starting role. Crabtree, Streater and Holmes will battle for playing time.

Buffalo Bills tight end Mike Caussin suffered a knee injury during Buffalo's victory over Denver and didn't return.

Caussin, who started Saturday, is Scott Chandler's backup at tight end. Chandler will likely return to his starting role after being limited with an ankle injury.