DeAndre Carter Bolsters Raiders' Special Teams
The Las Vegas Raiders had a solid special teams unit last season, but General Manager Dave Ziegler knew that once free agency came, he would try to improve his team in as many ways as possible.
This included signing wide receiver DeAndre Carter away from the division rival Los Angeles Chargers. Carter is a dynamic player who can immediately carve out a role on special teams as a kickoff and punt returner.
In his career, Carter has returned 111 kickoffs for 2,470 yards and a touchdown. As a punt returner, he has caught 110 punts and returned them for 1,184 yards. Carter has spent time with several teams throughout his career, including the Houston Texans and Washington.
As a receiver, Carter has caught 104 passes for 1,220 yards and six touchdowns. He has spent time behind several talented receivers, including Terry McLaurin in Washington and Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Josh Palmer in Los Angeles, so he was usually farther down on the depth chart as a pure receiver.
He had a career-high in receiving last season with the Chargers with 46 receptions, 538 yards, and three touchdowns.
Carter is a player who can provide quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo with another set of hands if necessary, and while he will fill in nicely as a depth piece at receiver, his value will likely shine on special teams.
Ameer Abdullah was the Raiders’ top kickoff returner last season, and Keelan Cole fielded the most punts, so Carter will get a chance to insert his name into the mix with those players.
The Raiders have not had a punt returned for a touchdown since the 2018 season, when Dwayne Harris did so, and they have not had a kickoff returned for a touchdown since the 2011 season, when Jacoby Ford ran one back 101 yards.
The Raiders gave Carter a one-year deal, with a chance to contribute to the team in several ways, whether as a depth receiver or in the return game. He will likely have a chance to do both, and the Raiders have themselves another electric playmaker.
The Raiders' offseason workout schedule is as follows:
OTA Offseason workouts: May 22-23, May 25, May 31-June 2, June 12-15
Mandatory Minicamp: June 6-8
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