Raiders should bring Tyrell Williams back as WR2 in 2020
By Brad Weiss
Tyrell Williams’ contract was fully guaranteed on Wednesday, and the Las Vegas Raiders should hang on to him in 2020 as their WR2.
Prior to the 2019 NFL season, the Oakland Raiders brought Tyrell Williams in during free agency to be the team’s WR2 behind Antonio Brown. Due to Brown’s antics, Williams was forced into the top spot on the depth chart prior to the team’s Week 1 game against the Denver Broncos.
Early on, it looked like Williams would fit the bill as the team’s top wide receiver, as he scored a touchdown in each of the team’s first four games. When he returned from injury later in the season, he scored in that game as well, proving to be a viable option for Derek Carr in the passing game.
However, heading into 2020, it is clear the Raiders need more help in the wide receiver spot, and many believe they will utilize their No. 12 overall pick on the position. Guys like CeeDee Lamb from Oklahoma and Jerry Jeudy from Alabama would be perfect fits for this offense, and that would be a perfect scenario for Williams.
On Wednesday, Williams, along with a host of other Raiders, saw their 2020 contract guarantees go into effect. That signals that his money is guaranteed for next season, but not necessarily that him being on the roster is guaranteed.
If the Raiders were wise, they would bring Williams back in 2020, and move him back into the role they signed him to play. With Jeudy or Lamb at the top of the depth chart, or maybe even a free agent, Williams can slide back to the WR2 spot, where he could be an elite weapon next season.
Williams had to battle plantar fasciitis for most of his first season in the Silver and Black, but he was pretty productive. Bringing him back, while adding talent atop the depth chart would give the Raiders three very good wideouts moving forward when you consider how automatic Hunter Renfrow was as a rookie in 2019.
Next. Las Vegas Raiders: 3 potential free agent targets at linebacker. dark
Most of the rumors surrounding the Raiders have been whether or not Carr will be the starter in 2020, but I believe he will be. If that is the case, they have to shore up the wide receiver group, because they are loaded at running back, tight end, and offensive line on that side of the ball.