There is no better first impression for a new player: Make the coaches squint to see you.

Kenbrell Thompkins, whom the Raiders claimed off waivers from the Patriots on Monday, definitely turned some heads this week at practice.

What “jumped out immediately was that he is playing at a little bit of higher speed right now than we’ve seen on the practice fields,” Oakland offensive coordinator Greg Olson said.

Olson also said that the 6-foot-1, 195-pound receiver “has a tremendous work ethic,” is an “intelligent player” and “has picked up things quickly over two days.”

“He just looks like a polished receiver, I guess, that is young and has good, fresh legs,” Olson said.

For a team that is last in the NFL in yards per passing attempt (5.68), you would forgive Olson if he did a little dance over finding a receiver who might get open deep. Thompkins could play as soon as Sunday against the Chargers.

Thompkins, 26, had 38 catches for 519 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games with the Patriots. He had only six catches this season for 53 yards and was inactive for two of their four games before his release.

Thompkins doesn’t hold a grudge over being released, and even cited New England head coach Bill Belichick’s track record as proof he shouldn’t be questioned for the move.

Elise Amendola / Associated Press

“I’ve got nothing to prove to anybody,” Thompkins said. “Just be myself and play ball at a high level. I am happy to be an Oakland Raider and will do whatever they ask me to do, at full speed and to the best of my ability.”

Belichick was hoping to put Thompkins on New England’s practice squad if he cleared waivers.

“Oakland will be getting a young, hard-working player,” Belichick told reporters. “I think KT has a future in the NFL. We have a depth issue at linebacker and we’re heavy at wide receiver, so something had to give.”

When Raiders interim head coach Tony Sparano saw Thompkins was available, bells went off.

“I know several of the coaches over there,” Sparano said. “I know how he’s been coached. I think he brings a little bit different skill set. He’s a big kid that can really run, a smart guy out there on the field, and has been a pretty solid player, a good pro. So we’re excited about him.”

Count rookie quarterback Derek Carr among those impressed by Thompkins.

“The first time he saw me, he wanted to sit down and he wanted me to go over signals, routes,” Carr said. “Instead of just showing up and saying, 'Hey, nice to meet you. OK, I’m going to go now.’ It wasn’t like that. He wants to learn, and he wants to be out there.

“It means something to him, to be good at this game and you can already tell.”

Briefly: Right tackle Khalif Barnes will miss Sunday’s game with a quadriceps injury. He missed practice again Friday and second-year player Menelik Watson will take his place against the Chargers. … Carr and linebacker Sio Moore are both listed as questionable with ankle injuries, but barring a setback Saturday, they’ll play. … Receiver Vincent Brown was limited at Friday’s practice with a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable.

Vic Tafur is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: vtafur@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VicTafur