Raiders trade away Bryan Edwards, but what does it all mean?

A brief recap of the Raiders receiving corps with Bryan Edwards gone

This off-season, it seemed like Las Vegas did all they could to address their wideout issues. The team entered negotiations with DJ Chark, were involved in the Allen Robinson sweepstakes, and above all, traded for the best wideout in all of football: Davante Adams.

Star power wasn’t the only thing the Raiders sought out on the outside, either.

Although Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow are the meat of this unit, the receiving core goes much deeper than the two. This was the unit’s biggest issue last year, as they failed to produce in many instances after the departure of Henry Ruggs.

Demarcus Robinson and Mack Hollins are two under-the-radar signings that are sure to solidify depth at the position, which Raider Nation should know as well as anyone, considering both of their histories against the Silver and Black. In week 2 of the 2019 season, Robinson posted a career-high 172 yards against the Raiders, and Hollins reeled in the pass from Fitzpatrick that would help Miami steal a win.

These two signings aren’t the only two that bring a legitimate playmaking presence deep(er) into the receiver rotation; Earlier in the week, it was announced Keelan Cole was joining the Silver and Black on a one-year deal. Cole is yet another guy who’s able to make plays down the depth chart, lessening the pain of the Edwards trade.

The important thing to remember if you find yourself questioning the trade: This unit has grown into a crowded one throughout the off-season.

The reality is, all three of the abovementioned receivers had around the same chances of grabbing the wideout no.2 role as Edwards had. Now, the battle for the starting job tightens, but the competition hasn’t grown weaker in Edwards’s absence.