Despite the fact the Las Vegas Raiders revamped their wide receiver corps this offseason, Pro Football Focus didn’t rank any of the Silver and Black’s wide-outs in their top 25.
Last year, the Raiders supposedly had one of the best up and coming wide receiver units in the NFL. They added Antonio Brown via trade and Tyrell Williams in free agency. Then, Raiders brass drafted Hunter Renfrow. However, Brown’s time was finished before it started, and Williams had to pick up the slack. He started red hot but plantar fasciitis derailed his 2019 season. On the other hand, Renfrow also battled injuries but did get it going in the final stretch.
To address the void at wide receiver, general manager Mike Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden selected Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards in this year’s draft. While this unit is both healthy and definitely better, they’re not elite just yet.
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2019 Wasn’t Kind to Raiders Receivers
Recently, Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus ranked the NFL’s top 25 wide receivers. It shouldn’t be of any surprise to fans but no one from the Raiders squad appeared on the list. Tight end Darren Waller led the team in receiving yards with 1,145 and after that, there’s a steep fall in production. The next two closest receivers to Waller were Williams and Renfrow, with 651 and 605 receiving yards, respectively.
Depending on how the Raiders use Williams and Ruggs, barring injury, and assuming quarterback Derek Carr continues his progression, then one of these two will crack 1,000 yards. Perhaps it’s a bold prediction but the Raiders are overdue for a receiver to crack this milestone, if not, it could be a bad sign in Jon Gruden’s third year.
A side note, all three of the other AFC West teams had one of their wide receivers featured on PFF’s ranking. No doubt it’s frustrating for Raider Nation to see their team get no recognition on a national level. The 2020 season can change that and mark a huge leap forward for the Raiders despite having ways to go.
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*Top Photo: Richard Shiro/Associated Press