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Oakland Raiders claim former Patriots receiver Kenbrell Thompkins

By Patrick Schmidt

Nov 18, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins (85) runs after catching a pass during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Patriots 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins (85) runs after catching a pass during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Patriots 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Less than one week after Kenbrell Thompkins was placed on waivers by the New England Patiots, the second-year receiver has been claimed by the Oakland Raiders, according to NFL Media’s Albert Breer.

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Thompkins was a revelation for the Patriots last season when he quickly emerged as one of Tom Brady’s favorite targets after he was undrafted out of Cincinnati when he finished with 32 receptions for 466 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie.

This year, however, was a different case as Thompkins fell out of favor and was only active for two games for New England when he had six receptions for 53 yards before he was placed on waivers prior to the Patriots game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Raiders have nothing to lose by taking a flier on Thompkins who could revert back to the form he showed for much of his rookie season, although he won’t have the benefit of having a quarterback the caliber of Brady to make him look better than he actually is, but it’s a low-risk maneuver with a decent shot of working out.

Unlike the Raiders picking up Greg Little in the offseason after he was waived by the Cleveland Browns only to be released again, Thompkins has youth on his side and has at least showed a modicum of success recently.

With Rod Streator placed on injured reserve, the opportunity for playing time is there for Thompkins as a depth player as soon as he picks up the playbook.

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