The Las Vegas Raiders have big moves to make this offseason, and here, we look at three players they should bring back from the 2021 team.
The NFL free-agent period is right around the corner, with hundreds of players likely joining new teams. The Las Vegas Raiders and new general manager Dave Ziegler will have a lot of decisions to make, including what new players join the team and which former players get to stay.
There are a lot of Las Vegas players whose contracts expired in 2022. Obviously, there are plenty who deserve a spot on the roster, especially those who stepped up in the latter half of the season. But, if Las Vegas is only going to bring back three players, then this is the three that it should be.
Raiders 2022 free agency: 3 players from 2021 to bring back
Zay Jones
Zay Jones has struggled for much of his career. After being selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2017 draft, Jones only had 968 yards and 9 touchdowns in 31 games. In 2019, Buffalo decided to part ways with Jones by sending him to Las Vegas in the midseason. Since being with Vegas, Jones has primarily been a rotational piece on offense.
In 2021, Jones say his role expand when Henry Ruggs was cut after he recklessly killed a woman and her dog. Jones struggled in his expanded role at first, but he really grew into a talented player in the final few weeks of the season and was an integral part of Las Vegas’ run to the playoffs.
In his final seven games, Jones had 369 yards, with his best game coming in Indianapolis where he had 120 receiving yards. His improvements last season, his work ethic, and his chemistry with Carr make him a perfect wide receiver number two in the Las Vegas offense. If the Raiders were to get that number one receiving threat, then Jones would be the perfect player to pair with him.