Ryan Switzer feels at home as Raiders' slot receiver

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NAPA – Ryan Switzer got hurt early in his first professional training camp. A hamstring injury took him out of most preseason work, and stole valuable prep time required to meld with Dallas’ offense. The Cowboys’ 2017 fourth-round receiver was relegated to special teams work, with just six catches for 41 yards all season.

That wasn’t the NFL debut he hoped for. It certainly wasn’t vintage Switzer, a standard set during four excellent seasons at North Carolina. He used speed, smarts and elusiveness to collect 1,226 yards of total offense and six touchdowns as a senior with the Tar Heels.

Being unproductive was a new thing, a wrong he planned to right in Year 2. The Cowboys didn’t give him that chance. He was traded to Oakland for defensive tackle Jihad Ward shortly after the NFL Draft, an upsetting turn that turned out to be a golden opportunity.

Switzer has been the team's primary slot receiver early in training camp, and should be an integral offensive weapon in Jon Gruden’s offense.

“That’s big for me. I need to get back to my ways,” Switzer said after Friday’s practice. “I’m going on two years removed from being an All-ACC receiver and setting school records. Last year, that just got thrown by the wayside. I’m really looking forward to getting back to those ways.”

The Raiders would love that. They don’t want to use him as a gadget player, either. Switzer’s a standard slot receiver, someone available on the interior to keep chains moving. He likely would’ve been further down the depth chart in Dallas, working behind primary slot receiver Cole Beasley.

“This opportunity presented itself out here, and I really can’t tell you…this isn’t just player speak,” Switzer said. “I really am excited about the chance I have to put myself on the map and help this team win, to show people who I really am as a receiver.”

Switzer remains in the mix returning punts and kickoffs. Dwayne Harris is his primary competition in that arena, and his roster spot is less certain heading into the preseason slate.

The Raiders need help returning punts, and are clearly looking for something different in the slot. Seth Roberts was the slot receiver and established No. 3 guy the past two seasons, but hasn’t been working with the top units in camp. He had several clutch catches in recent seasons, but drops proved troublesome too often in 2017.

Amari Cooper and Jordy Nelson will move inside at times, especially when Martavis Bryant enters the pattern. Switzer feels comfortable with mental rigors associated with Jon Gruden’s scheme, and has melded well with quarterback Derek Carr.

“You have to be ready for the checks, you have to be ready for hot (routes) at all times,” Switzer said. “I think that’s part of my strengths. I can win in man-to-man coverage. I can win one-on-one, and I can recognize coverages and find what hopes to hit. That’s what I can put to good use this year.”

Nelson’s helping him do it. The position group’s elder statesman keeps teammates focused on little details required to sustain excellent. Switzer has found the advice invaluable, and views Nelson as a positive role model.

“He has been a great help, and someone I’ve leaned on since I got here,” Switzer said. “He’s ultimately done what I want to emulate, playing 10-plus years, winning a Super Bowl, catching touchdowns and making a lot of money.”

He’d like one more thing – to find a home.

“This league can take you a lot of places, and you want to find an opportunity where you can be there for the long haul,” he said. “That’s what I wanted to do in Dallas. It didn’t work out, and now I’m here trying to do the same thing.”

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