Biggest offseason need for every AFC West team in 2022
By Lucas Schuh
AFC West needs in 2022: Las Vegas Raiders need a wide receiver
It goes without saying, but the Las Vegas Raiders had one of the most tumultuous seasons in recent memory. There were the Jon Gruden email leaks, the DUI case involving Henry Ruggs, and the later case involving Nate Hobbs. Despite all this, the Raiders made the playoffs where they lost to the AFC Champion Cinncinati Bengals.
Very appropriately, Henry Ruggs no longer has a spot on the Raiders roster and likely won’t have a future on an NFL team. If the tragedy of Ruggs DUI case didn’t happen, the Raiders would still absolutely need receiver help.
Looking at their current receiver group consists of Hunter Renfrow, Bryan Edwards, and a group of young and unproven receivers.
Edwards had a ton of preseason hype coming into his rookie year in 2020, but has so far hasn’t hit on what some hoped for him. Thankfully the Raiders at least have a quality receiver in Renfrow who has proven to be one of the better slot receivers in the NFL. Of course, the Raiders also have the likes of Darren Waller at tight end, who is one of the better receiving tight ends in the NFL, but they still desperately need help on the outside.
While free agency hasn’t started quite yet, the Raiders have been linked to some receivers most notably Davante Adams. At the time of writing this, the Packers haven’t made a move or decision on Aaron Rodgers or Adams, but if Rodgers does end up leaving Green Bay, one would imagine Adams would be on his way out also.
If Adams does leave, it’s clear to see why the Raiders would be connected to him, mainly due to their need for a receiver and the fact that Adams played with current Raiders QB Derek Carr in college.
There is a strong enough possibility that Rodgers and Adams don’t end up leaving Green Bay, which means that the Raiders would need to look elsewhere. Outside of free agency, the Raiders could look to the NFL Draft.
If Vegas did want to target receivers in the draft, they would likely be looking at receivers like Drake London, Treylon Burks, and other receivers who can win on the outside.