3 Las Vegas Raiders with the most to prove in 2021 Week 1

Aug 18, 2021; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James (68) snaps the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during a joint practice. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2021; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James (68) snaps the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during a joint practice. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 28, 2021; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) is pictured during a post-practice presser at Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center in Henderson. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2021; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) is pictured during a post-practice presser at Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center in Henderson. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

3 Las Vegas Raiders with the most to prove in 2021 Week 1

Henry Ruggs, Wide Receiver

Debate this one all you want, and some would say the same for his counterpart at receiver in Bryan Edwards. Nevertheless, it is hard to think any player would have higher expectations than a former first-round pick.

It has been spoken many times prior about the struggles of Henry Ruggs last season, as his rookie season in the form of a production perspective, was indeed a letdown for a top-15 pick. Ruggs worked hard this offseason to not only bulk up his thin frame, but he now has a better understanding of the offense and a full training camp under his belt.

The lofty expectations for Ruggs go beyond his development, as he will go into the 2021 NFL season as the WR1 for the Raiders. With last year’s top wide receiver Nelson Agholor departing via free agency, the Raiders will now depend on their speedy wideout to take over the duties of being the top wideout for Derek Carr.

The expectations are high for Ruggs, especially considering he was never even the top wideout in college at Alabama. But times have changed, and with such a high investment in Ruggs, as well as the Ravens being down one of their top corners, Ruggs should prove that he is ready to take on a heavy bulk of targets from Carr.