Las Vegas Raiders: 3 offensive gambles that didn’t pay off in 2021
By Brad Weiss
Las Vegas Raiders: 3 offensive gambles that didn’t pay off in 2021
No. 2: Letting Nelson Agholor walk
Wide receiver Nelson Agholor spent one season with the Raiders franchise, putting together the best year of his career, and earning big money from the New England Patriots. In 2020, he was the No. 1 option at the position for the Silver and Black and earned Derek Carr’s trust, but he was not going to be given a big contract by Jon Gruden and company.
The hope was that with Agholor gone, 2020 first-round pick Henry Ruggs III would move into that coveted WR1 spot for this franchise. Early on in 2021, Ruggs looked the part, providing the Raiders with an outstanding deep threat, and showing that he can run the entire route tree.
Unfortunately, we all know how that story ended, and without Ruggs in the fold, coupled with Bryan Edwards being non-existent, it has been just Hunter Renfrow who has stepped up for this offense at wide receiver. Agholor has not had a monster season with New England, so maybe 2020 was a fluke, but this is a team that could certainly use him down the stretch.