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2012 NFL Draft: Oakland Raiders Get Great Value in Wide Receiver Juron Criner Late in 5th Round

The Oakland Raiders did not enter the NFL draft with a big need at wide receiver. However, they most certainly could use a big bodied receiver who can be more of a possession guy. Right now, the Raiders have a ton of speedy smaller guys, but no one with the size of this guy. With Juron Criner, the Raiders have found their big bodied possession receiver.

Criner is 6'4 and weighs 215 pounds. He has nice hands and is a good route runner. He does not have much speed and can have issues creating separation, but as I noted above, the Raiders already have a ton of speed at wide receiver. Criner may not be a number one or two receiver, but will make a great number three and will serve a big need as a possession receiver and certainly has the potential to grow into a starting wide receiver.

The other bonus that Criner brings is as a run blocker on the outside. As we all know, the Raiders will try and continue their run as one of the better rushing teams in the NFL. So far, Darrius Heyward-Bey was easily their best run blocker. Adding Criner will help not only in the pass game, but also in the run game.

This is starting to sound redundant, but McKenzie has once again found great value late in the draft. He has addressed a need with a guy who can contribute right away and has the potential to develop into a very valuable player for the Raiders. It is going to be fun to see how these guys turn out two or three years from now.