The Las Vegas Raiders went into the new league year with a hole at the top of the depth chart at wide receiver, and they may not have to use a first round pick to fill it.
The Las Vegas Raiders have focused primarily on bolstering up their defense by signing a few linebackers including Los Angeles Rams star, Cory Littleton. However, a position of need still remains at wide receiver on the offensive side of the ball, and while they certainly could use a first round pick on the position, there are other options available before they get to that point?
There are plenty of good receivers still on the open market the Raiders could look at, and even some they could make a trade for. Darren Waller was the team’s leading receiver last year but teams started catching on to his route running capabilities. Tyrell Williams was a good pick up, but he didn’t fair well down the stretch against press-man coverage.
Hunter Renfrow was a good slot option but that’s all he was. Josh Jacobs ran the ball well, but wasn’t a big factor in the passing game. In 2020, he figures to be more involved in the passing game, something he excelled at during his time at Alabama, but a broken shoulder hindered him as a rookie for the Raiders.
More or less, the receivers for the Raiders were limited to Waller and Williams, as Renfrow did not come on until late in the season, posting back-to-back 100-yard games. Given the majority of the passing game went through Waller, I believe the team must target a receiver in free agency who can help them develop a young guy they are presumably taking with their first two picks of the NFL Draft.
Here are some options I think will fit well in their system.