Yes. The Raiders need to address their defense this offseason. They have no real chance to compete with the top teams in the AFC until they improve in that area. They need multiple starters on the defensive line and in the secondary and even then, that might not be enough.
However, they don’t necessarily have to spend every pick and free-agent dollar to upgrade that unit. They should also focus on their wide receiver room as both Nelson Agholor and Zay Jones are scheduled to hit free agency next month. The Raiders would love to have Agholor back, but he might price himself out of Las Vegas. If that’s the case, the team will need to add another receiver this offseason.
If the Raiders opt not to pay Agholor, they could consider using the No. 17 pick on another receiver. Henry Ruggs III was a first-round selection last season, but the team needs another weapon on the outside.
That is why Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle would be a fascinating pick for the Raiders. He would give the team another speedster who would help open up the underneath routes for Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow. Not to mention, it would also help the running game as teams would be forced to play a ton of cover-2 against the fastest wide receiver duo in the NFL.
The only reason Waddle might fall to the Raiders at No. 17 is due to a foot injury that caused him to miss most of the 2020 season. Otherwise, he could have been the Heisman Trophy winner and not Devonta Smith.
Take a look at Waddle’s numbers in comparison to Smith when they were both on the field in their last seven games. As you can see, Waddle’s numbers were better and he averaged an insane 23.1 yards per reception.
In the last seven (full) games that Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith played together… it was Waddle who was the more productive receiver. pic.twitter.com/vaHCyXzGE3
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 8, 2021
Drafting Waddle at No. 17 would be a bit of a luxury for the Raiders given their needs on defense. However, this selection would potentially improve the offense, help out Ruggs and most importantly, continue to allow Derek Carr to perform at an elite level.
While it’s easy to dismiss the idea of drafting another receiver in the first round, Waddle is a special talent who would be a fantastic fit in Jon Gruden’s offense. Keep an eye on him during the draft cycle as he’s just too talented to ignore in the top-20 picks.
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