Ranking the NFL’s 5 best deep-ball wide receivers
By Dustin Baker
3. Tyrell Williams, Las Vegas Raiders
40+ Yard Receptions in 2017: 11
Percentage to Total Targets: 5.56
The Raiders commence their inaugural season in Sin City with a wide receiving corps stuffed with potential. Tyrell Williams has now been apart of two franchises that have packed up and moved, the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders.
He’s trending to be WR1 for Las Vegas in 2020 but fifth-round wideout from 2019 draft Hunter Renfrow may nudge him from that spot. Renfrow put forth unexpected production in 2019 accruing 605 receiving yards. The needle is pointed upward for the 24-year-old.
However, Williams stretches the field–and quarterback Derek Carr desperately needs this capability from his pass-catchers. It’s probably why the Raiders made rookie Henry Ruggs the first-off-the-board wide receiver in 2020 NFL Draft, one that was championed for its wideout depth.
Ruggs bring Barry Allen-like speed to the Raiders (and NFL as a whole) while Williams brings the size and hands. It will be a true salt-and-pepper approach to stretching the field.
In the last three seasons, Williams has grabbed his balls from Philip Rivers in Los Angeles and Carr in Oakland. He’s accumulated a total of 11 catches that gained 40 or more yards. If this trend continues, Williams and Ruggs will make a formidable tandem — one of the best in the NFL in terms of taking the top off the defense.