Should the Las Vegas Raiders pursue DeSean Jackson?
By Nick Bailey
![OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 03: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles returns a punt against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum on November 3, 2013 in Oakland, California. The Eagles won 49-20. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles/Getty Images) OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 03: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles returns a punt against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum on November 3, 2013 in Oakland, California. The Eagles won 49-20. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjustblogbaby-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F450572887-850x560-b20c7d7f3e5fd11a762595cf74fe3f0f85f152e0fe5e642dac99793f01889343.jpg)
Could Desean Jackson still produce for the Raiders?
If Agholor does leave for a big-money contract, one option for the Raiders while the young receivers on the roster continue to get used to the game is DeSean Jackson. Entering his 14th year in the league, Jackson certainly isn’t the receiver he once was, but with the development of Henry Ruggs, Bryan Edwards, and the continued production of Hunter Renfrow, the Raiders don’t need the Jackson of old.
Jackson started five games in 2020 before suffering a fractured ankle and missing pretty much the rest of the season, but he did have 236 total receiving yards and one touchdown in those five games. He was not the only player on the Eagles offense to struggle this past season, but injuries are a concern, as he played in eight total games in two seasons.
As Raiders fans know from these past two seasons, availability is your best ability, and Jackson just has not been available for his teams recently.
Yet, three seasons ago when he was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in only 12 games played, Jackson had over 700 yards four touchdowns, while averaging more than 18 yards per reception. In his final year in Washington in 2016, he was once again topped 1,000 yards.
However, that was five years ago, and if the Raiders do sign him, will he revert back to his final years at Tampa Bay and Washington, or will it be like his final two seasons with the Eagles, which were injury-riddled.