Las Vegas Raiders revamp wide receiver group during 2020 NFL Draft

Reserves

The rotation WRs for the Raiders should end up being a mix of veterans and a rookie with high expectations.

• Nelson Agholor
• Zay Jones
• Bryan Edwards

Nelson Agholor arrives from Philadelphia after a turbulent season that saw him unfairly blamed for the Eagles’ lack of explosiveness on offense. The Eagles offense struggled as a unit in creating explosive plays but Agholor did himself no favors with a couple of high profile drops and an inability to stay healthy.

Agholor signed a one-year deal for just over $1 million with roughly $900k of it guaranteed so if he struggles, cutting him loose would not have a large impact on the salary cap. The former USC Trojan had his best season operating out of the slot so the Raiders could utilize him primarily as a backup to Hunter Renfrow.

Zay Jones came over around midseason from the Buffalo Bills for a fifth round pick but was unable to make much of an impact over 10 games. It may have been difficult for him to pick up Gruden’s notoriously complicated offense but surely the Raiders hoped for more from him. Jones has been working out with Derek Carr in the offseason which may help his cause come final cuts before Week 1. Jones could be released with no cap hit so if he does not lock himself in to the WR rotation he may be on the lookout for a new team.

Bryan Edwards rounds out the reserve group and the Raiders will surely have high expectations from the former South Carolina Gamecock. Edwards left USC as the school’s leader in receptions and receiving yards so the Raiders know he can be counted on as a productive receiver if given the opportunity.

Edwards is a bigger target at 6’3” and can provide Carr with another red zone jump ball target. The Raiders may be a bit more patient with him in terms of their expectations than his fellow rookie Ruggs but it would be a bitter disappointment if he can’t lock down a reserve role.