Las Vegas Raiders: 5 surprises from the first unofficial 2021 depth chart

Las Vegas Raiders: 5 surprises from the first unofficial 2021 depth chart

Henry Ruggs III gets his shot at WR1

We are finally focusing on offense, and though he was the team’s first-round pick in 2020, Henry Ruggs III is still fighting to show that he can be the WR1 this franchise needs. The talented speed-first receiver out of Alabama was selected as the first receiver off the board in 2020, over his more decorated teammate Jerry Jeudy, and former Oklahoma receiver CeeDee Lamb.

Many felt the pick was a reach, but the Raiders were looking to get not only younger in the receiver department, but also much faster. When it comes to speed, not many in the league are faster than Ruggs, but the issue with Ruggs was his small frame did not hold up over the season in 2020.

He was mainly a non-factor throughout the season as he and quarterback Derek Carr were not well adjusted to each other, this is likely because they were without not only a full training camp together but also a preseason. Ruggs is returning bulked up and ready to take on a heavier workload now that number one receiver from one season ago, Nelson Agholor is now on the New England Patriots.

Hopefully, Ruggs being atop the depth chart is not just for hope and expectations, but that his new chiseled frame should help him reach the next level of his potential. The Raiders drafted him to be their Tyreek Hill, and the hope is that he can be a breakout player for them in 2021.