Raiders offensive breakout stars, 2021: Bryan Edwards
Joining Henry Ruggs III as a 2020 draft pick was Bryan Edwards, a record-setting wide receiver out of South Carolina. For a program that produced many NFL wideouts, Edwards stands alone in a lot of categories in terms of the all-time list, and early returns this summer looked like he could jump in and be a real difference-maker in YEar 1.
Unfortunately, injuries hurt his development, and with the emergence of Nelson Agholor, Edwards never really found a place in the rotation for Jon Gruden and this offense. There is no denying his physical gifts, and he is certain to be a red zone monster for the Silver and Black this upcoming season, but for the most part, we saw only glimpses of what he could be this past season.
In 2021, I like Gruden and company to get him much more involved, having specific plays for him when they get close, and hopefully improving on some dreadful red zone numbers from last season. Edwards showed in the season finale that he has the size, speed, and hands to dominate at the NFL level, now the Raiders just have to do a better job in getting him the ball.