Las Vegas Raiders should look to bring back Zay Jones in free agency
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders have issues at the wide receiver spot going into the offseason but should bring back a familiar face in Zay Jones.
Looking at the Las Vegas Raiders roster heading into the offseason, wide receiver is a position group that they need to attack. Zay Jones and DeSean Jackson are both entering free agency, and with Henry Ruggs III gone, the depth just is not there.
When checking the internet for recent mock drafts, many have the Raiders going wide receiver in the first round, and that is fine, as they need a legitimate WR1 on the outside. Yes, Hunter Renfrow is a star wide receiver, and a No. 1 option for Las Vegas, but he is a slot guy, and the team does not have many playmakers returning on the outside.
There are plenty of solid options at wide receiver in the draft and free agency, as Raider Nation would love nothing more than to reunite Davante Adams with his college quarterback in Derek Carr. However, that seems mostly like a pipedream, and in reality, the franchise should be focused on bringing back another Carr favorite in Zay Jones.
Raiders need to revamp the wide receiver room
Jones had a tremendous 2021 season, especially down the stretch, as he had his most productive year since the 2018 campaign in Buffalo. He hauled in 47 catches for nearly 600 yards for the Raiders, and was outstanding in the playoff game, catching five balls for 61 yards and a score.
Of course, he also helped get the Raiders to the playoffs with his outstanding grab in overtime against Los Angeles in Week 18.
The Raiders also have Bryan Edwards returning in 2022, but he has yet to prove he can be consistent at the NFL level. In terms of Jones, he stepped up in a big way for the Raiders when they needed him the most, and put together some good tape for new head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager David Ziegler.
The Raiders should add a WR1 to the mix this offseason, whether it is via free agency or the draft, but Jones should not be forgotten. Bringing him back as the No. 3 or 4 option at the position would bolster this position group in a big way, and he already has the trust of Carr, which will prove huge in 2022 and beyond.