The Las Vegas Raiders head into 2020 NFL Training Camp with a bevy of wide receivers, and there’s plenty of hype around the youth within this position group. That being said, will veteran Nelson Agholor end up as the fourth wide receiver?
Barring any major injuries or setbacks, the Raiders should have their top wide receiver options already settled. Rookie Henry Ruggs III and veteran Tyrell Williams as one and two, and sophomore Hunter Renfrow in the slot. On paper, this lineup has a lot of offensive potential, especially when you consider what Ruggs’ speed might do for this offense. As far as that fourth option, the Raiders have two solid options in newcomer Bryan Edwards and Agholor, a free agent acquisition.
Related: Raiders’ Success Might Hinge on Henry Ruggs III
Can Agholor Seize The Opportunity?
Long-term, the Raiders have an absolute beast in Edwards, arguably one of the biggest steals for general manager Mike Mayock in April. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report raved about Edwards’ physicality and athleticism, “Physical in his routes but also at the catch point; will not be intimidated. Acrobatic leaper who high-points well and wins consistently on 50-50 balls.” Unfortunately, the current pandemic has hindered how NFL team operate this offseason and one of those casualties were rookie offseason programs.
This could mean an opportunity for Agholor if he can step up and seize it. Josh Schrock of NBC Sports looked at this key position battle, and believes Agholor should be the guy.
“My money is on Agholor. He was a first-round draft pick who starred at USC. Agholor has the speed to stretch the field deep and should benefit from the change of scenery. He also was a key contributor on a Philadelphia Eagles team that won the Super Bowl. The Raiders don’t have a lot of guys with Super Bowl pedigree on the roster. But drops have been an issue for Agholor. If he brings the butterfingers to camp, Carr could quickly turn away from him and that will be all she wrote.”
Agholor Fits The “Culture”
If the Agholor from 2017 and 2018 shows up, the fourth receiver slot is his to lose. In each of those years, he totaled 700-plus receiving yards, 12 touchdowns, and notched 66 first downs. Agholor’s had seven drops in the last two years alone, so it’s a fair concern as Shrock pointed out. Then again, Agholor has Super Bowl pedigree, which is something the Raiders don’t have a lot of these days. Take into account the “culture” that Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden is building, Agholor should fit that mold as a veteran presence in that young wide receivers’ room.
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*Top Photo: Matt Rourke/Associated Press