Raiders roster: 5 position battles to watch during 2021 training camp

Raiders roster: 5 position battles to watch during 2021 training camp

5th Wide Receiver – Zay Jones vs Willie Snead

The Raiders roster has a great deal of depth at the receiver position, and the battle for who will round out the group that includes Henry Ruggs, Bryan Edwards, John Brown, and Hunter Renfrow will be a lot of fun to watch. For Zay Jones, he has the benefit of being in Jon Gruden’s offense for two years, and he has a solid connection with QB Derek Carr.

Jones also signed a new deal that is fully guaranteed for $2.5 million while Willie Snead signed a 1-year deal with $987,500 guaranteed, so he has that going for him. The Raiders won’t blink about releasing Jones over Snead just to save $2.5 million on the cap, but it could be a factor in the decision if the battle is close.

Snead is a veteran receiver that has had success in multiple stops in his career and is just two years older than Jones, who has had less than stellar production with Buffalo and Las Vegas. The Raiders could also keep both, but there is the added wrinkle of UDFA rookie Dillon Stoner, who is reportedly turning heads in minicamp.

Perhaps this section should be expanded to cover receivers 5 to 7 if the Raiders choose to carry that many, but with Jones and Snead as the veterans, it will be very interesting to see who wins the job and who is on the outside looking in.