Raiders 2022 NFL Draft: 3 surprise positions Las Vegas may target early

Raiders 2022 NFL Draft: 3 surprise positions Las Vegas may target early

Wide Receiver

Over free agency, the Raiders made a trade that sent the no.1 wideout across the league to Las Vegas. Furthermore, the front office has added multiple playmakers to the unit ensuring great depth. Even still, don’t be surprised if the Silver and Black roll with a wideout for their first selection in this year’s draft.

Since the Adams trade happened, I’ve theorized the Raiders’ interest in adding a second reliable starting receiver on the outside. At the time, the backbone of this theory was the reported interest and light negotiations with both DJ Chark and Allen Robinson, despite constructing a deal for Adams in the meanwhile. Essentially, this meant Las Vegas attempted to grab both Adams and Chark or Robinson.

Since, the Raiders signed Demarcus Robinson, who head coach Josh McDaniels may be comfortable with as the team’s wideout no.2; However, I’m not so convinced. After all, just one week ago, it was reported Las Vegas was once again interested in adding another starting-caliber wideout to the roster. This time, Brandin Cooks was the man on the Raiders’ mind.

A player with Cooks’ skillset makes all the sense in the world for Las Vegas.

While Dave Ziegler has certainly made sure there are plentiful options for Josh McDaniels at the wide receiver position, one thing he hasn’t done is add a true speedster. Outside of Tyron Johnson, who very well could be an odd man out when it’s time to make final cuts, no pass catcher is able to take the top off of a defense at will.

When the Raiders had Henry Ruggs last season, the offensive flourished. This was no coincidence as Ruggs ran a 4.26 40-time and Derek Carr had the second most +25-yard passing plays. When Ruggs was taken away, the passing offense sank big time. Again – no coincidence.

In the seven contests with Ruggs, Las Vegas had five 300+ passing yard games. In the remaining ten without? That 300-yard mark was met just one time.

Truth be told, with a player of Davante Adams caliber, you don’t need a speedster to open up the offense, but it never hurts. Additionally, don’t think of speed being added on the outside as a decoy to open up things underneath – Think of Adams, Waller, and Renfrow being the decoys to go downfield.

Not only has Carr continued to prove he can throw bombs in bunches, recording the fifth-most air yards in the NFL last season, but a former teammate of Adams himself has shown how it’s a two-way street. In 2020, Marquez Valdes-Scantling lead the league in yards per reception, recording 20.9 being the no.2 option behind Davante Adams.

The average 40-time for an NFL wide receiver is 4.48. Outside of the beforementioned Tyron Johnson, the Raiders have exactly zero receivers that run at least a 4.5 40-time. Luckily for Las Vegas, there’s an abundance of receivers in this year’s draft who run a time faster than the NFL average, specifically in the [projected] second and third-rounds.

Last year, Derek Carr threw 67 passes 20+ yards through the air – A number only topped by Tom Brady. If the Silver and Black elect to go the receiver route early, specifically one with speed, expect Carr to utilize them frequently.