UNC in NFL: Ryan Switzer finds new role with Oakland Raiders

Former UNC wide receiver Ryan Switzer is finding his new role with the Oakland Raiders

Ryan Switzer is on his second team in as many years in the NFL after a shocking Draft-day trade sent him from Dallas to Oakland. The wide receiver left the Cowboys organization after being selected by Dallas in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

He joins a Raiders team that has a talented quarterback in Derek Carr, a star wide receiver in Amari Cooper and a new head coach in Jon Gruden. While Switzer couldn’t really carve out a role in Dallas, he appears to have found one early in training camp for the Raiders.

According to some reports out of Raiders camp, Switzer is lining up early as the slot receiver in the offense. It could be the role that best suits his skill-set and one he hopes to hold onto for the entire season.

The Cowboys had receiver Cole Beasley in the slot, inserting Switzer in at times but he never was able to win that starting job.

During his days at UNC, Switzer was always one of the more talented receivers on the field as he worked numerous roles for the Tar Heels. That included in slot, outside and even serving as a return man in Chapel Hill.

Pro Football Focus tweeted out this nugget about Switzer’s routes in 2017 with the Cowboys:

As of now, it’s hard to see Switzer out of the slot position barring an injury. Him getting a lot of work in early there is a good sign for the season to come. Also getting familiar with Carr will help the receiver come the regular season.

The Raiders will continue training camp practice and will play in their first preseason game on Friday, August 10 when they host the Detroit Lions.

For more on Switzer and other UNC players in the NFL, please check back with Keeping It Heel.