Las Vegas Raiders have to go veteran at wide receiver this offseason
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders drafted Henry Ruggs III out of the University of Alabama with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. When Ruggs was drafted, the expectation was that he would be the team’s WR1 as a rookie, showing incredible physical gifts and the ability to get separation during his time with the Crimson Tide.
He also was a burner, someone who late owner Al Davis would have loved to have drafted, and after everything that happened the year before with Antonio Brown, this was a breath of fresh air. To supplement Ruggs, the Raiders added Bryan Edwards in the third round, giving them two rookies to go along with the likes of Nelson Agholor, Tyrell Williams, and Hunter Renfrow.
It did not go as planned, as Williams missed the whole season, and it was actually Agholor, a player who was panned when the team signed him, that stepped up as a leader on the field, and in the locker room. Not to say Ruggs season was a total miss, as he had some big moments, but not what you would expect from the first wide receiver off the board.
In 2021, the team needs to add a veteran to the group, and it could possibly be Agholor again.
Raiders must add a veteran to the wideout group
It remains to be seen whether or not Ruggs is ready to step into the WR1 role, or what Edwards is going to be, as he played sparingly as a rookie. By bringing back Agholor, or adding any number of veteran wideouts available like Corey Davis, Breshad Perriman, or even A.J. Green, the Raiders would be adding a veteran to the mix, instead of banking on a rookie to take over atop the depth chart.
The hope is that they add a veteran, and Ruggs emerges as the No. 1, and Edwards the No.2, and the veteran can play a role within this offense, not be the top guy. Renfrow is a constant for the team, but with Agholor and Zay Jones hitting free agency, and Williams already being released, you have to believe Gruden is going to tap a vet to come in and bolster the position group, as has been his way in the past.
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In my opinion, I believe that if the Raiders can get Agholor back at the right price, he has to be the play, as he has a relationship with Derek Carr, and is respected in the building. If they cannot, they have to get a veteran to come in and help both Ruggs and Edwards along, as they are the future of the position in Las Vegas.