Ranking the Las Vegas Raiders offensive position groups against the AFC West

Wide Receivers

The Las Vegas Raiders made wholesale changes to the wide receiver group this offseason, and it will take a year or so to see if the young players they brought in can dominate at the NFL level. As it stands, the Chargers seem to have the most depth in the AFC West at this position group, but they still do not know who is going to get them the ball.

Keenan Allen has blossomed into one of the best slot receivers in the league. Since 2017, his 303 receptions rank third among wide receivers, his 3,788 receiving yards rank fourth, and he’s managed to haul in 18 touchdowns. The Cal product has also gone to the Pro Bowl three times, won the Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2017, and has made the NFL’s Top 100 list twice.

In a complementary role to Allen, Mike Williams has put together an impressive young career as well. He was recovering from an injury for the majority of his rookie year, but in the past two seasons, Williams has accumulated 92 receptions for 1,665 yards and 12 touchdowns. That’s a pretty strong one-two punch that any quarterback would enjoy throwing to.

While he might be controversial off the field, Tyreek Hill is certainly dynamic on it. In four seasons, Hill has racked up 281 catches, 4,115 receiving yards, and 32 touchdowns. He’s also made the Pro Bowl every year of his career and has been a first-team All-Pro selection twice, with one selection coming as a returner.

The reason why I give Los Angeles the advantage over Kansas City here is because of depth. After Cheetah, the Chiefs have Sammy Watkins, who hasn’t done much since joining the team in 2018.  Demarcus Robinson and Mecole Hardman are fine players in their own rights, but neither is the same caliber as Mike Williams.

Courtland Sutton enjoyed a breakout year in 2019, hauling in 72 passes for 1,112 yards and six touchdowns while earning a trip to Orlando. It certainly wasn’t as impressive, but he played well as a rookie too, putting up 42, 704, and four while only making nine starts.

The additions of Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler should help open up the Broncos’ passing game, but of course, those two have to prove themselves first. If Drew Lock is the real deal, this could be a young, dominant trio that could take over the division sooner than later.

It’s no secret that the Raiders’ receiving corps needed a face-lift this offseason. Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow are both good role players as a number two and slot receiver, but neither fit the description of a true number one wideout.

Henry Ruggs III will look to step up and fill that void for the team, however, as is the case with every rookie, he’ll need to prove it on the field. Las Vegas can certainly skyrocket up this list during the season, but there is still a lot of unknowns within the position group.