The Raiders’ 3-1 start has already produced a few surprises, and Cody White has carved out a spot near the top of that list.
A former Michigan State standout who went undrafted, White has spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks over the last five seasons. Now in Year 6, he’s found a different kind of footing in Las Vegas, turning himself into an impact option for the Raiders’ offense even while his biggest footprint has come on special teams.
The production has come fast. Over the last three games, White has hauled in five catches on nine targets for 64 yards and three touchdowns.
One of his better outings came Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, when he finished with two receptions for 36 yards. And according to head coach Klint Kubiak, the work has been noticed on offense even as White continues to contribute in other phases.
“Well, I'll just say he's a good football player,” Kubiak said. “He's getting open.
He does it right in the run game. He plays on special teams.
He's a good football player. Obviously, he came over as a practice squad add and has earned his way onto the active [roster].
That's with every player; we want them to earn it.”
White’s first three catches in a Raiders uniform all went for touchdowns, and Kubiak said that kind of production came after White moved from the practice squad to the active roster.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins, who leads the NFL in passing touchdowns, also came away from Sunday’s loss feeling like he left a couple of chances on the field for White. But what Cousins said next may have been the clearest sign of why White keeps popping up in the right moments.
“If you watch the tape, there's a good two more opportunities that I felt I missed that would have given him a chance to really impact the game,” Cousins explained. “So, I was kicking myself for those plays, but the ball just has found him. I don't have a great answer for you.”
“I think it's just kind of how the pocket allows me to get through the progression, and the ball finds him, and he's attacked the football. I think that's the trait that I would say has jumped off the tape, whether it was the Chargers touchdown or the goal ball last week, just attacking the football and saying, 'Ball's in the air, that's my ball.'”
Cousins also pointed to the Michigan State connection, saying White’s college tape had already shown the same kind of playmaking edge.
“I think probably going back to watching him at Michigan State a little bit as a alumni. Seeing him make plays there in the number seven, and then that play against the Chargers where he attacked the football for a touchdown in tight coverage. I thought those traits surfaced, and he's been doing it since.”
With Tre Tucker also making an impact, White has a case as the Raiders’ second-most important wide receiver right now. If that keeps up, No. 82 could become a much bigger part of the offense before Las Vegas enters a daunting eight-game stretch.
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