Oakland Raiders Tyrell Williams in slot is a matchup nightmare for the Vikings

The Oakland Raiders head to Minnesota and look to bounce back from a week two loss. Wide Receiver TyrellWilliams has been the number one option in the passing game so far, and there is a hole in the Vikings defense the veteran can take advantage of.

When the NFL released the 2019 schedule, many pointed to the five game road stretch the Oakland Raiders are about to embark on as the most daunting portion of the schedule. The Vikings have an abundance of talent of defense, making the start to this road trip even more difficult.

However, injuries present Oakland’s leading receiver with an opportunity for a big day on Sunday.

Minnesota’s primary slot corner Mackensie Alexander has a dislocated his elbow, that forced him to miss week two, and is likely going to miss more time. For the time being, Jayron Kearse is the team’s solution to fill in for banged-up defensive back.

Coming out of Clemson, one of the biggest issues with Kearse was his speed, and a 4.62 second 40-yard dash at the combine served as proof. In the three years since, he hasn’t magically become fast and this gives the Raiders a favorable match-up with Tyrell Williams.

So far the veteran receiver has primarily been used on the outside this season, but the speed he has and Kearse lacks; should give offensive guru Jon Gruden reason to shift Williams inside for a week.

Kearse’s deficiencies go beyond speed, as he is allowing 91.7 quarterback rating and a completion percent of 75 when targeted. While playing for the Chargers in 2016, Williams filled the team’s slot receiver role, and had the most productive year of his career with 1,059 yards and seven touchdowns.

Versatility is part of the reason Oakland’s head coach wanted the wideout and utilizing the matchup advantage Williams has in the slot, is the perfect opportunity to show that skill off.

The matchup advantage will give the former Charger plenty of opportunities for big plays, or will force Minnesota to give Kearse help in coverage. One adjustment the Vikings could make is to move All-Pro corner Xavier Rhodes inside to cover Williams. Not only would that mean Rhodes is playing out of position, but also he hasn’t been playing at an All-Pro level this year with a quarterback rating of 95.8 when targeted this season.

If the defensive focus does shift to Williams, opportunities for other receivers will arise. It’s no secret that the Raiders are looking for someone to step up as a number two receiver and giving your number one option a favorable matchup might have a domino effect.