Raiders deal WR Murphy to Panthers

Skip to Navigation Skip to Content

Raiders deal WR Murphy to Panthers

Getty Image File Photo
Getty Image File Photo
Change of scenery: The Raiders traded away receiver Louis Murphy, making room for the team’s young wideouts.

The Raiders traded wide receiver Louis Murphy to the Carolina Panthers for an undisclosed conditional draft pick. The NFL Network reported it is a conditional late-round pick.

Murphy has 90 career receptions for 1,371 yards and six touchdowns in three seasons since being a fourth-round pick out of Florida. However, he posted career lows of 15 catches for 241 yards and no touchdowns in 11 games last season.

Whether Murphy’s roster spot would’ve been at risk in training camp was open to debate. The Raiders are counting on a young trio of receivers — Denarius Moore, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Jacoby Ford — and raved about the offseason performance of rookie Juron Criner.

Carolina earlier shipped running back Mike Goodson to Oakland earlier this offseason for offensive lineman Bruce Campbell. That March 30 trade was made because the Raiders were looking for a backup behind Darren McFadden after Michael Bush left Oakland in free agency, signing a four-year, $13 million deal with the Bears.

The Panthers have no proven options behind Steve Smith at wide receiver. Brandon LaFell, a third-round pick in 2010, had 36 catches for 613 yards and three touchdowns last season and is the probable starter opposite Smith.
David Gettis is also expected to be in the mix to battle for the starting spot opposite Smith.

The Raiders open training camp in Napa this weekend with rookies and veterans reporting Sunday and the first practice taking place on Monday.

Oakland opens the preseason on “Monday Night Football” Aug. 13 against the Dallas Cowboys at O.co Coliseum.

Advertisement

All comments on this page are subject to our Terms of Use.

The following are not allowed:

  • ALL CAPS
  • Links
  • Profanity / Racism / Offensive Language
URL: http://www.sfexaminer.com/sports/nfl/2012/07/raiders-deal-wr-murphy-panthers