Based on the needs of the teams in front of them, the Las Vegas Raiders are in good position to lock down one of the elite wideouts in this draft class.
The loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 17 was a tough one for the Oakland Raiders, who saw their era in the Bay Area end on the losing side against a division rival. However, the loss also improved their draft position in 2020, and could end up being a huge victory when all is said and done.
Both the Broncos and Raiders need a wide receiver to add to the mix this offseason, and by losing that game, the Silver and Black hold the No. 12 overall spot this April. Thanks to the teams in front of them, and their needs, the team is no in line to grab one of the two best wide receivers in the draft class, Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy, or Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb.
Both of these guys bring something special to the table, and their athletic abilities were on full display during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. Looking at the Raiders offense, they are a wide receiver away from being set at every position, something we definitely cannot say about the defense.
Last year, Derek Carr completed 70 percent of his passes, and threw for over 4,000 yards without a legitimate WR1, thanks mostly to the play of tight end Darren Waller, who is one of the best in the game. Heading into 2020, they have solid options at wideout in Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow, but both are more suited to be the WR2 and slot guy, respectively.
Looking at the draft, Joe Burrow is going to go No. 1 overall, followed by Chase Young at No. 3. Many feel the draft will not really start until pick No. 3, where the Detroit Lions are on the clock, and could be in play for really anything. With solid quarterbacks in this draft class, teams that need one sitting in front of the Raiders may move up, including the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Chargers.
That means that elite talents are going to fall, and sitting at No. 12 overall, the Raiders could be in prime position to get someone special. After making the playoffs only once since 2002, the Raiders are finally building up this roster the right way, and can close two big holes with their first round selections in 2020.
During the Combine, Mike Mayock stated that taking an early wideout is not a sure thing, and that could mean he is looking to target the defense at No. 12 overall. However, if Jeudy or Lamb are still on the board, it is going to be very hard for him to pass up on them, as they have the talent to come in and be this team’s WR1 immediately.