Las Vegas Raiders: Does bringing Nelson Agholor back make sense?
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders could reunite with an old friend, as it appears Nelson Agholor could be on his way out in New England.
During the 2020 NFL season, the Las Vegas Raiders were looking for a veteran to step up within the wide receiver position. They had drafted Henry Ruggs III in the 2020 NFL Draft, but he needed more time, and from the jump, it was clear that Nelson Agholor would be their guy.
A veteran and Super Bowl champion drops forced Agholor out of Philadelphia, and with the Las Vegas Raiders, he would enjoy a career renaissance. He instantly became a favorite of quarterback Derek Carr, and in the end, put up the best numbers of his career.
During that 2020 NFL season, Agholor set a career-high with nearly 900 receiving yards and tied a career-high with eight touchdown receptions. Overall, it was exactly the season the Raiders were hoping to get on his one-year, prove-it deal, but in the end, the career year also led him to a big payday with the New England Patriots.
Could the Raiders bring back Nelson Agholor?
Going into the 2022 NFL season, the Raiders are loaded atop the depth chart at wide receiver, as some feel Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow could be one of the best tandems in the NFL. Adams has long been one of the best wideouts in the NFL, and Renfrow is a budding superstar, who hauled in over 100 catches a year ago.
But is there room for Agholor?
The Raiders are still looking for more speed on the outside, and Agholor could be the perfect deep threat to add to this group. We still do not know what we are going to get out of Bryan Edwards entering Year 3, and while guys like Demarcus Robinson and Mack Hollins are solid additions, Agholor would take this group to another level.
Agholor is still under contract with the Pats, and will likely be back with the team in 2022, but they made some moves at the WR spot this offseason, and Agholor was underwhelming for them in 2021. If he does become available, the Raiders should take a hard look at him, especially after working with new head coach Josh McDaniels last year in New England, and the skill set he could bring to what should be an elite group this upcoming season.