As we get closer to free agency, the Raiders upgrading the wide receiver position remains paramount. A plethora of injuries and the Amari Cooper trade left the Raiders with Marcel Ateman and Jordy Nelson as the top receivers on the roster. Gaining a No. 1 wideout this offseason is essential.
With a good, but not amazing wide receiver class in the 2019 draft, the Raiders should be scanning the pool of free agents to add onto the position. Let’s take a look at some of the top receivers on the market and how they would fit on this Raiders’ roster.
5. Adam Humphries, Buccaneers
Coming off a career year in 2018, Humphries is entering free agency and will be one of the most sought-after pass catchers in this class. After posting career highs in catches (76) and yards (816), the shifty slot receiver is in high demand.
Humphries route-running ability is his calling card and he excels against zone coverages. He is able to read coverages from the slot and find open holes in zones and making himself available to the quarterback for easy yards.
Humphries’ price tag might be too high for the Raiders considering he is entering free agency after a solid season. If they snag Humphries around the range of $8 million per year, he would be a welcomed addition to the wide receiver corps.
4. Donte Moncrief, Jaguars
Moncrief is back in the free agent pool after playing on a prove-it deal with the Jaguars. Still just 25 years old, Moncrief put up decent numbers catching passes from Blake Bortles and Cody Kessler. He finished with 48 catches, 668 yards and three touchdowns.
Moncrief still displayed the ability to gain separation on go routes and could bring explosiveness. The reason Moncrief is fourth on this list is that his price tag will be considerably lower since he played on a cheap prove-it deal. The Raiders could add firepower to the offense at a reasonable rate and might be able to hit on a young player who displays upside in the passing game.
3. John Brown, Ravens
Brown’s numbers were disappointing, but he did play for a primarily run-first team in 2018 with the Baltimore Ravens. Brown still averaged 17 yards per catch, which was the best of his career, and one item the Raiders need to add to this offense is a deep threat. Adding explosiveness to the offense immediately would open up the offense for slower receivers like Nelson.
Brown’s value at just 28 years old helps with the cap, as he will not demand the big bucks during free agency. His impact on the offense will be tremendous and will help evaluate Carr with a viable deep threat added to the passing game.
2. Golden Tate, Eagles
Golden Tate has produced throughout his NFL career. With three 1,000-yard seasons and four seasons with 90 catches, the 30-year-old from Notre Dame will bring production to any team that picks him up.
What might scare teams away is his age, as he is on the backend of his career and could be in for a decline. Jon Gruden’s free agency pickups last year exhibited he did not care too much about the age department when it came to signing players.
With Carr checking down passes at a high rate of nine percent, according to Pro Football Focus, Tate could be the safety blanket whose YAC ability could make up for Carr’s decisions.
1. Tyrell Williams, Chargers
The No. 1 target this year for the Raiders is Tyrell Williams, formerly of the Los Angeles Chargers. Williams is a receiver who fell on the depth chart in Los Angeles after the emergence of Mike Williams. His speed allows him to stretch the field vertically at 6-foot-4, giving a big target for Carr.
The only problem with the Raiders signing Williams will be the price tag. Do you pay top wide receiver money for a player who doesn’t have the production to match? That is the biggest question for the Raiders when they are in pursuit of Williams, especially after Sammy Watkins’ payday last spring.
Acquiring Williams for around $15 million is not worth it, and they might have to roll with the other options. With that said, the Raiders should still be in hot pursuit over Williams’ services this spring when free agency starts in March.
