Las Vegas Raiders 2021 training camp: Top-3 starting jobs up for grabs

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Nov 8, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver John Brown (15) catches a pass in front of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar (22) during the second quarter at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Las Vegas Raiders 2021 training camp: Top-3 starting jobs up for grabs

No. 3: Wide Receiver

This is truly a strange one to call here. The Raiders, outside of returning Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller, do not have a reliable set of hands to call upon to be their number one receiver this season just yet, though they have talent on the roster.

The Raiders are relying on the talent and inexperience of second-year receivers Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards to take on larger roles, which due to nagging injuries and other circumstances led to the two combining for less than 700 receiving yards combined last season. The Raiders added veteran receivers this offseason in John Brown and Willie Snead, but the 31-year-old Brown is coming off an injury, and his best years may be behind him, and the 28-year-old Snead is a steady but not breathtaking option for quarterback Derek Carr.

With no clear-cut number one for the Raiders, it seems the pressure will be on the former first-round pick in Ruggs to take over as the number one.

Dec 17, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during overtime at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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This is a role he did not even obtain in college at Alabama, and while Edwards has the potential to surpass Ruggs, injuries have been the issue for him in college and so far in the NFL. Expect Ruggs with a newly chiseled frame to be ‘the guy’ for Derek Carr and the Raiders offense, as he should be relied upon more often in the offense, and for better or for worse, will be the Raiders number one receiver this season.

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