With free agency under a month away, it’s time to check in on the Raiders’ wide receiver position to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.
Returning starters: Hunter Renfrow, Bryan Edwards
Backups: DJ Turner, Javon Wims, Dillon Stoner, Tyron Johnson
Free agents: Zay Jones, DeSean Jackson
Last season Hunter Renfrow took the reins of the receiving corps and cemented his place in the franchise record book with the third-most catches in a single season (103) in Raiders history. He also became the team’s first 1000-yard receiver (1038) since 2016 (Amari Cooper). He was Mr. Reliable in the slot. And it was a good thing too because he got little to no help from his fellow receivers.
A group that started with Henry Ruggs III as the number one, ended the season with Zay Jones as the most productive outside receiver. In case you’re wondering, that’s not a good thing.
Jones was joined on the outside by Bryan Edwards and the addition of DeSean Jackson. They combined for 804 yards. While Edwards took a step forward from his rookie year, he was not at the level of what you need from a starting X receiver.
Condition: Critical
Jones and Jackson are headed for free agency, which would leave the Raiders with essentially no legitimate outside receiver. Keeping either or both of them would yield the same result. Edwards may continue his development, but even if he does, the team is desperate for a deep-threat Z receiver to replace Ruggs.
They also have precisely no depth to speak of with a group that’s who’s who of who’s that? It’s unfortunate the Raiders are back in the position of desperate need at receiver, but that’s where they are.
