Las Vegas Raiders: 5 players to keep an eye on during the 2021 preseason

Dec 17, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A general view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign on the Las Vegas strip. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A general view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign on the Las Vegas strip. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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On September 27, 2020; in Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Las Vegas Raiders receiver Bryan Edwards (89) catches a pass during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
On September 27, 2020; in Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Las Vegas Raiders receiver Bryan Edwards (89) catches a pass during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports /

Las Vegas Raiders: 5 players to keep an eye on during the 2021 preseason

Bryan Edwards, Wide Receiver

Penciled in as the number two receiver on the Raiders depth chart, the call here could have been between Edwards or Henry Ruggs as players to watch in the preseason, but Edwards gets the nod. The reason for this is because Edwards seems to be further along as an all-around receiver than Ruggs, and has gotten some incredible praise already.

He blends size and speed with exceptional athleticism to look the role of a complete wide receiver, but if there is one kryptonite so far, it has been his injury history. The former South Carolina product holds nearly every major receiving record at the university and fell to the Raiders in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, not because of production, but a knee injury that cut short his final season as a Gamecock.

So far, the injury bug has followed Edwards into his professional career, as he missed a significant portion of the 2020 season due to an ankle injury. With a full bill of health, Edwards can change the story of him being injury prone, and be one of the key factors in this offense which has been completely revamped.

Watch out for Edwards in the preseason, this should signify if the Raiders will truly be dependent on the second-year man and how vital he can be for this offense.