ESPN low on Las Vegas Raiders offensive weapons heading into 2020
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders made it a point to bring in more offensive weapons this offseason, but ESPN still feels it is one of the worst groups in the league.
The Las Vegas Raiders battled through injuries to the wide receiver group last season, as Tyrell Williams went down with plantar fasciitis, and they had to insert multiple players to make up for the losses. Heading into this offseason, the organization made it a point to bring in talent at the position, and they did so via free agency, and the draft.
With their first pick in the first round, the Raiders added Alabama wideout Henry Ruggs III, selecting the speedster with the No. 12 overall pick and making him the first wide receiver off the board. In the third round, they selected two offensive playmakers back-to-back in Bryan Edwards from South Carolina, and Lynn Bowden Jr. from Kentucky.
These two guys bring their own playmaking ability to the offense, and when you couple that with the playmakers they already have, this is a group that improved dramatically this offseason. In addition, Derek Carr returns for his third season under Jon Gruden, and he will have his entire offensive line back with him in 2020.
ESPN ranks the Raiders No. 24 overall
In his rankings, Bill Barnwell from ESPN feels that the Raiders may have improved the group, but not enough to even rank them in the top half of the league. Las Vegas and their collection of offensive weapons landed at No. 24 overall according to Barnwell, which is shockingly low.
Barnwell states that the Raiders do have two legitimate stars in tight end Darren Waller and running back Josh Jacobs, but it is what is between those two that lands them at No. 24. The Raiders do not get much love from national media, which is understandable, but those who cover the team, know just how strong the additions to this roster were.
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Of course, the Raiders offense will have to go out and prove they can get the job done, as they struggled to score points down the stretch last season. Carr has the weapons he needs to make this offense explosive this season, and if he can stand in the pocket and make plays downfield, there is no reason this Raiders offensive weapon group can’t be one of the best in football.