Joe Hansley is having a breakout offseason with Raiders

Joe Hansley has been the talk of the Raiders offseason, impressing the Oakland staff early in OTAs, and continuing to out-play expectations of the 5-foot-9 wide receiver as the offseason has progressed. This comes as no surprise to Ram fans, who watched Hansley outperform expectations for four straight seasons as a member of the green and gold.

Hansley did it all at the collegiate level and his versatility as an athlete is already paying off at the next level. As a return man, Hansley is deadly and is always a threat to take it to the house. As a wide receiver, Hansley runs crisp and clean routes and has experience out-wide, as well as from the slot.

Hansley even served as the placeholder for the kicker for multiple seasons at CSU. Hansley can do it all. In one game, he will return a kick all the way, make eight catches and find time to cut the grass after the game as well.

Did I mention, he can throw too?

Raiders SB Nation writer Levi Damien recently published a piece on Hansley’s efforts during OTAs and his prospects of making the team.

“There is a receiver spot up for grabs for the Raiders and it will likely go to one of the several undrafted rookies the team signed this offseason,” Damien said. “Most specifically, the team is in need of a slot receiver – a position at which Hansley could be an ideal fit.”

As an undersized, undrafted player, Hansley is going to have to prove he is someone the Raiders cannot live without. He earned his way on the team’s roster this offseason with a tryout. When it was time to suit up, Hansley made a solid first impression with the coaching staff and has continued to impress since.

https://twitter.com/ChrisMcClain/status/742820319103049728

Making the 53-man roster may be a long shot for “Super Joe” but if anybody has what it takes to overcome such adversity, it is Hansley. When the NFL preseason rolls around in August, it will become much clearer if the former Ram has a legitimate shot at making the team. Until then, Hansley will need to continue to impress coaches and make plays.

Check out our scouting report of Hansley which was published before the draft.