After a Week 1 victory over the Denver Broncos, the Las Vegas Raiders looked to carryover that momentum against the Buffalo Bills. However, that was not the case. Furthermore, there are some stats to come out of the 38-10 loss that might have fans worried. Buckle up, Raider Nation. It is about to get ugly.
Pro Football Focus issued its grades/stats for Week 2, and the 2023 NFL Draft class for the Silver and Black did not fare well. Now, it’s just one week, so anything can change from game to game. After Week 3, a handful of the Raiders rookies could improve numbers. So, don’t hit the panic button on these players yet, OK?
Another Raider that is having a worrying stat line is Hunter Renfrow. Even with Jakobi Meyers out due to a concussion, the 27-year-old’s production didn’t improve. As a result, this downward trend could become the norm rather than an outlier.
It’s a stats-heavy piece, so let’s get into the latest concerning Las Vegas ahead of its home opener versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Raiders rookies register worrying PFF grades in Week 2
The Silver and Black had a rough go of it last Sunday in a lopsided loss to the Bills. After losing in Week 1 to the New York Jets, Buffalo came out of the gate with a chip on its shoulder. So, the Raiders had to be prepared for their best punch, which they were not.
Football is a team sport, and one thing is undeniable — the entire team struggled this past weekend. However, PFF’s stat lines for the game against the Bills highlighted the rookies’ struggles in glaring detail. Let’s start with the first-round selection, Tyree Wilson, who registered zero pressures on 22 pass rushes.
Afterward, it didn’t get better for the Raiders’ next three draft picks from last Spring. Tight end Michael Mayer had one target, one catch, and two receiving yards. A disappointing outcome in what could have been a breakout game for Mayer.
Third-round selection, Byron Young, had 12 rushes, zero pressures, and zero tackles; Tre Tucker had one run, 34 rushing yards, one target, and zero catches. Finally, fourth-round pick Jakorian Bennett was targeted on six occasions, allowing six catches and 84 receiving yards.
What do you think, Raiders fans? Are these worrying stat lines for the rookies? Or is it just an off week, and they’ll bounce back in Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Is Vegas losing Hunter Renfrow?
Renfrow had a less-than-stellar 2022 NFL season, so he was likely eyeing a bounce-back performance this campaign. However, after two weeks, the 27-year-old isn’t starting well under new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Renfrow has played 39 snaps for the Raiders and has been targeted once as a receiver. Week 1 can be chalked up as Jakobi Meyers having the hot hand since the former New England Patriots receiver registered two touchdowns and 81 receiving yards in the 17-16 win over the Denver Broncos.
With no Meyers in the Week 2 loss to the Bills due to a head injury, it’s puzzling that Renfow was only targeted once in the contest for a 23-yard reception. If things continue trending this way, the Clemson product’s time in Sin City is running low.
Now the question is, will Renfrow stay a Raider for this entire season? Or will the team look to move on before the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline?
*Top Photo: USA TODAY Sports
