The Las Vegas Raiders infused their wide receiver room with speed, youth, and potential via the last two NFL Drafts. Yet, they’re still missing the commodity that comes with having a true superstar wide receiver. Odell Beckham Jr, anyone?
The Raiders wide receiver corps has been in a state of flux for the last three years. Whether it was trades or roster cuts, there’s been no stability. The fiasco that was the Antonio Brown saga marred any chances the Raiders had at making noise last year. There was, however, some good news despite the gaffe. Rookie Hunter Renfrow emerged as one of quarterback Derek Carr’s favorite options in lieu of Brown’s departure. Then, over the course of free agency and the draft, Raiders general manager Mike Mayock assembled a whole new group. Renfrow and Tyrell Williams will be joined by Henry Ruggs III, Bryan Edwards, Lynn Bowden Jr., and Nelson Agholor.
Something’s Missing For The Raiders
Still, something’s missing in all that. You have speed and youth, but that comes with inexperience. Also, you have two solid veterans in Williams and Agholor but neither is a true number one wide receiver. The failed experiment that was Brown shouldn’t deter the Raiders from making a run at Beckham in 2021.
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Josh Schrock of NBC Sports recently floated a trade scenario in which the Raiders receive Beckham and a 2021 second-round draft pick from the Cleveland Browns. In exchange, the Raiders send Gabe Jackson and a pair of picks, a first and third-round pick from that same 2021 draft.
What Would It Take?
In order for that trade to realistically work there’d be several deciding factors. Schrock points these out as well. “The first is that Carr proves he is the long-term answer at quarterback in 2020 and the Raiders no longer have worry about the most important position in sports. The second it assumes is that the Silver and Black will cut ties with Tyrell Williams and Lamarcus Joyner after 2020, taking all of Williams’ salary off the books and being only dinged $2.5 million for cutting Joyner.”
Cutting ties with Joyner and Williams is plausible depending on how they perform in 2020. For the time being, both are looking to bounce back after less-than-stellar seasons. The issue with Carr is a whole other story. However, let’s say Carr does indeed have a huge year, sending Jackson’s contract and cutting ties with both said players means Beckham suddenly becomes affordable.
Worth The Risk?
Given what happened with Brown, most fans are wary of the Raiders adding a “diva” in Beckham. That could be short-sighted as Brown and Beckham are two different players, Schrock touched on that notion too.
“Yes, Beckham is outspoken and brash, but he’s never been a problem in the way Antonio Brown was and continues to be. Beckham, by all accounts, was a valued member of the Giants’ locker room and his work ethic and desire to play through injury quickly won over his Browns teammates.”
Just imagine what the Raiders offense could look like with the addition of Beckham. The running game with Josh Jacobs and Bowden and tight end Darren Waller possibly a Pro Bowler by 2021. At wide receiver: Beckham, Ruggs, Edwards, and Renfrow. That would be a downright scary prospect for NFL defenses to prepare for. Let’s see how 2020 plays out for the Silver and Black first.
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*Top Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images