Oakland Raiders wide receiver group will pay big dividends

The Oakland Raiders have added four new additions to their wide receiver group. Now, let’s analyze how they will pay dividends.

It’s no secret that Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock wanted to improve their pass catchers when the beginning of the offseason kicked off. They wasted no time, acquiring seven-time pro bowler Antonio Brown just days before free agency started.

Following the Brown trade, they locked in a deal with former Chargers deep threat Tyrell Williams to play opposite of Brown.

In the later stages of free agency, Gruden and Mayock stayed aggressive by bringing in J.J. Nelson and Ryan Grant as suitable options to play inside at the slot position. Nelson has spent his entire four-year career with the Arizona Cardinals, where he has flashed his break away speed.

Grant has had two different stops, beginning his career with the Washington Redskins and spending last season as a member of the Indianapolis Colts passing game.

The Raiders projected wide receiver group heading into the 2019 season contains Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams, Ryan Grant, J.J. Nelson, Marcell Ateman and Dwayne Harris. This will be the deepest group Carr has worked with since coming into the league.

Gruden addressed the development of his wide receiver group at the Antonio Brown press conference. “We want to continue to improve this football team, we don’t want to have a good receiving core, I want to have the best receiving core in football,” Gruden said. “I think to have the best, you got to have the best, and in my opinion, we acquired the best wide receiver in football and let’s get to work.”

Obviously having Brown on the outside elevates the pass catching core, but with the addition of Tyrell Williams, it makes the opposing defenses have to play in their more natural position without double teaming Brown.

Brown is nearly unguardable without any help from the safety over the top. With that being said, the safeties gravitating toward Brown’s side of the field will create more one-on-one matchups for Tyrell Williams.

The Raiders will have a lot of competition inside at slot. J.J. Nelson and Ryan Grant will likely battle it out in training camp for the starting job.

Nelson has blazing speed, as he ran a 4.28 40-yard dash coming out of college at the 2015 combine. Grant, has had his moments of productivity, as he does bring sharp route running to the team.

Overall, the Raiders have a tremendous bunch of pass catchers that should help Carr get back to his MVP form. This group has a lot of experience in the league, which may help close out games down the stretch. Even with the additions to the offense, I wouldn’t count out the possibility of the Raiders drafting a wide receiver through the draft.