Fan favorite Keelan Doss hardly had an impact in his rookie year. After the Las Vegas Raiders’ draft additions, time is running out for him to show he can bring something to the table.
From Raiders Fan Favorite to Roster Afterthought
The Raiders signed Doss as an undrafted free agent after the 2019 NFL Draft. After Hard Knocks featured him heavily last year, he seemed to be on his way to becoming a high profile player. He is an Alameda native and it was easy to root for him. His undrafted status appealed to anyone who likes underdogs stories. And then, nothing of note happened before the front office shipped him to Jacksonville.
After being invested in his journey, it was hard to see Doss join the Jaguars practice squad. However, his stay in Duval Way didn’t last long and the Raiders made an offer Doss couldn’t refuse. General Mike Mayock might’ve had second thoughts about him, and brought him back to Oakland. It was the wide receiver’s second chance to display his skills. He disappointed again and barely dressed up in 2019. In total, Doss played in eight games. He finished the year with 11 catches for 133 yards.
Zay Jones’ arrival mid-season last year made it harder for Doss to see the field. After the addition of Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards to the roster, it will be even more difficult for the sophomore receiver to see playing time.
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What’s left for Doss?
Not everything is lost for Doss though. The odds are against him, but he could show he’s really improved. Even if he gets limited opportunities to display his growth, he needs to make the most of them. Every rep counts. After all, it isn’t like he lacks talent. He might need to keep working on his route running, but he has good hands and his ball-tracking skills are quite good.Â
It’s uncertain how many receivers the Raiders will carry in 2020. Furthermore, it’s hard to tell at this point how they will conduct team activities and training camp.
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Top Photo: Mark Kartozian/USA TODAY Sports