Where do the Raiders rank in the AFC West after the Tyreek Hill trade?
By Jason Willis
Where do the Raiders rank in the AFC West after the Tyreek Hill trade?
2. Las Vegas Raiders
As important as Tyreek Hill is to the Chiefs, Davante Adams is that piece for the Raiders. In a league where the offense is key, one transformative piece can mean all the difference. Adams, the best wide receiver in the NFL, already has a connection with quarterback Derek Carr from their days at Fresno State.
Sure to form a lethal duo, the Raiders offense is primed to explode in 2022.
Under the guidance of one of the NFL’s best play-callers in Josh McDaniels, Carr should have an MVP caliber year. The cast outside of Adams is elite as well. Darren Waller is one of the best tight ends in the NFL and perhaps the biggest match-up nightmare in the league due to his combination of size and speed.
Diminutive slot receiver Hunter Renfrow will return as well. One of Carr’s favorite targets, Renfrow is an elite route runner who forces extra defensive attention at all times. The backfield also features a deadly one-two punch with Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake.
Of course, the Raiders’ defense will have to be able to match the offense’s output. With a deadly pass-rushing duo in Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby, the Raiders defense appears poised to hunt quarterbacks. The onus will be on the secondary to provide those two enough time to get home.
After the Adams trade, the Raiders announced themselves as a team that was ready to compete now. A playoff team in 2021, it is clear the Raiders’ new leadmen want more from this team. One of the most talented teams in the loaded AFC, Las Vegas is a contender.