The Las Vegas Raiders could benefit from adding a free-agent wide receiver with championship pedigree in Golden Tate.
The Silver and Black have already made it clear that they’re serious about cleaning up their salary cap. Both guard Gabe Jackson and wide receiver Tyrell Williams have been cut. The latter leaves the team without depth at wideout. Assuming Nelson Agholor doesn’t return, the Raiders’ wide receiver corps will be very thin. Considering how much space Las Vegas is clearing, why not take a flyer on Golden Tate?
Given the drop-off in production from Tate these past couple of years, there’s no way he’ll command big money. At one point, Tate was a 1,000-yard receiver. However, the last time he reached that plateau was in 2017. The Raiders need a veteran presence at wide receiver when you realize how young the unit would be without Agholor.Â
Related: Will Raiders Regret Not Retaining WR Tyrell Williams?
How could Tate help the Raiders?
Giants have released WR Golden Tate, per @adamschefter
— PFF (@PFF) March 3, 2021
180 missed tackles forced on RECs since 2010 (1st) pic.twitter.com/LLwV0J6V1t
Despite being 32, Tate can still be a weapon in the right offense, his decrease in targets appears to be due more to the offenses he played in. He wouldn’t be getting 100-plus targets with the Raiders like he did with the Detroit Lions from 2014-2018. Judging from the fact Tate’s never averaged less than 10 yards per reception since 2015, he can still stretch the field.
When you consider Tate’s 18 broken tackles since 2018 combined with only four drops in that time, he can still contribute. According to Pro Football Focus, Tate has 180 forced missed tackles on receptions since 2010, so he has shown he still hasn’t fully lost his step. For the right price, Tate could be that much-needed veteran receiver presence the Raiders could acquire if Agholor walks. In a perfect world, the Raiders could have Darren Waller with Henry Ruggs III, Agholor, and Tate.
What are your thoughts on Golden Tate, Raider Nation? Is he worth a look, let us know in the comments down below!
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*Top Photo: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images