Napa, Calif. » Nick Miller went speeding past a pair of defensive backs in Oakland's secondary, then jumped and turned to catch a long pass from quarterback JaMarcus Russell near the sideline as several teammates roared with approval.

It's a scene that has played out several times in the Raiders' training camp this season, with Miller the unlikeliest of participants.

The 5-foot-9, 180-pound wide receiver is the smallest player on Oakland's roster yet has some of the biggest plays through the first 10 days of training camp.

Miller has had to find a way to stand out in his first NFL training camp, and not just because of his size.

The Raiders have plenty of wide receivers in camp and will likely only carry five or six into the regular season. Javon Walker, who had offseason knee surgery and has yet to practice in camp, is the projected No. 1 receiver for Russell and the only receiver with extended experience in the NFL.

Chaz Schilens and Johnnie Lee Higgins were the team's top two receivers a year ago but have only nine starts between them. Oakland also used two of its first four draft picks on wide receivers, including first-round selection Darrius Heyward-Bey.

That leaves little room for Miller but that's nothing new for the Southern Utah player, who has beaten long odds on the football field for years.

He started his collegiate career at Scottsdale Community College in Arizona then transferred to Southern Utah where he led the nation in all-purpose yards among Football Championship Subdivision schools while being selected the Great West Conference's special teams player of the year.

Miller has sub-4.3 speed so Oakland signed him as an undrafted free agent to back up punt returner Johnnie Lee Higgins and kickoff returner Justin Miller.

Through the first 10 days of camp, Nick Miller has had more of an impact on offense than on the Raiders' special teams.