Analyzing the Raiders Wide Receiver situation entering the 2022 offseason

The Las Vegas Raiders have a serious need at the wide receiver position, and here, we analyze the position group heading into the offseason.

As we continue to analyze the roster of the Las Vegas Raiders, the scope of their offseason work comes into focus. The questions at quarterback are likely to be answered first, while the running back room is in good hands entering next season.

Arguably one of the team’s biggest needs this season is wide receiver.

The Raiders actually had their first Pro Bowl Wide Receiver since Amari Cooper with Hunter Renfrow’s breakout season, but Renfrow continues to be a dominant slot weapon in a league where the need for a vertical threat is clear. With the loss of Henry Ruggs III to a tragic accident, there is a clear need for that deep threat.

Owner Mark Davis and new Head Coach Josh McDaniels know they want ““a team that is smart and tough and explosive.” That explosive characteristic comes in the form of a downfield passing game that the Raiders notably lacked following the loss of Ruggs.

Quarterback Derek Carr never seemed to get into a rhythm with replacement DeSean Jackson and Zay Jones proved to be an intermediate receiver, not the deep threat the team tried to bill him to be. For the Raiders to be explosive, they will need Carr to trust his weapons next year. Carr notably lost trust in receivers Amari Cooper and Ruggs during his rookie season, amongst others.