Las Vegas Raiders: 3 biggest positional upgrades this offseason
2. Wide receiver
Last season, the Raiders wide receiver group got off to a hot start. Newly added Tyrell Williams had a touchdown in each of the first five games before he came down with a foot injury he tried to play through. That ultimately hampered his production the rest of the season.
Rookie receiver Hunter Renfrow capitalized on his time in the slot, though most of it came during the second half of the season. He finished out the last two games against division rivals the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos with 7 receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown, and 6 catches for 102 yards with a touchdown respectively.
One of the biggest glaring issues that was made apparent last season though was the lack of depth and down field threat. It goes without saying that the Raiders had plans for Antonio Brown to be that type of player, but unfortunately, things we south with him after last years draft, so the Raiders were left without a speedy playmaker.
So as many assumed, the Raiders would address that need during this year’s NFL Draft. With all three top wide receiver prospects on the board, they chose to go with the fastest receiver at the combine in Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III.
Many have labeled Ruggs as strictly a speed guy, but that only scratches the surface of what he is able to do at the wide receiver position. Ruggs had some of the best hands going into this year’s draft, having only dropped one pass in 2019, and only four in his whole career at Alabama.
Further more, Ruggs had 98 career receptions in his three years at Alabama, 24 of those going for touchdowns. For all of you keeping score at home, that’s 24.5% of the time he touched the ball he put it in the end zone.
Plain and simple, the Raiders got an electric playmaking receiver who is more then reliable with his hands.
They also added a few more weapons back-to-back in the draft, taking Kentucky WR/RB/QB Lynn Bowden Jr. at 80th overall, and South Carolina WR Bryan Edwards 81st overall. Edwards is one of only four SEC receivers to finish his collegiate career with 2,000+ yards, 200+ receptions, and 20+ touchdowns.
Bowden Jr. started his career in Kentucky as a receiver, then was moved around to running back and ultimately quarterback his last season due to injuries. He is likely to be a running back in 2020.
Going into this draft, the Raiders vowed to get better on offense and bring in more weapons for Derek Carr, and that’s exactly what they did. They got their speedy WR1 who can be asked to do anything and moved all over the field. They also went out and got quality playmakers who can contribute in different facets to make this offense more dangerous and well rounded.
If Jon Gruden can export the most out of these new rookie talents, we could finally see an offense that can give division rival Kansas City a run for their money and stay competitive within the AFC West.