The Raiders added seven players via the draft the past three days. Here is a thumbnail sketch of how things played out and what head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock can expect from this draft class. Round 1 (No. 12 overall): Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III. Comment: The Raiders selected the
Robertson has a chance to unseat Joyner right away, pushing Joyner into a backup player at N and Safety, then off the roster next season.
Ruggs, Williams, if healthy, Renfrow and Edwards is a pretty good combination on paper.
Doss, Agholor, Ateman, Jones and the rest will be fighting for a spot on the 53.
Especially if Gruden decides to keep all 4 TEs in Waller, Moreau, Witten and Carrier.
Just so you know, Ruggs, Renfrow, Agholor, Ateman, Gruden, Moreau and Witten are all underlined as misspelled on my post.
Spot on, Philip. As for Joyner, he is being paid too much this season to be benched right away. Gruden and Guenther will use his tenuous roster spot in 2021 as fuel to get Joyner to play better this season. It’s up to Joyner how that turns out. In a perfect world, though, Joyner plays better and Robertson gets a year to learn from a solid pro and person, then gets his shot in 2021. Probably the same for the likes of John Simpson and maybe even Bryan Edwards, unless he acclimates himself in a hurry.
Edwards could be the replacement for Williams. If the injury bug hits again this year, I dont think there is any way Williams is brought back for a 3rd season with our Raiders. And I dont care what Gruden or Mayock says, Williams is a #2, not a #1 WR.
I said all along we needed starters at 5 of our picks. I wrote our first and third rounders, but 5 starters non the less. I have to think Mayock feels that way too. When it all shakes out, this might be another fantastic draft.
If that ends up being the case, sign Mayock to an extension please.
Raiders drafted players that have a chance to unseat high paid veterans:
-Edwards to unseat Williams
-Robertson to unseat Joyner
-Simpson to unseat Jackson
Quite clear in their drafting. If they don’t unseat them this year, it will be next
Sorry Ghost, I did not read your thoughts on Edwards/Williams before adding my comments above.
Your right.
They could also look at Simpson replacing Incognito, he did get a two year extension, but I think the big portion of the money is guaranteed this season. Jackson and Incognito both had injuries last year too. Between Simpson, James and Good, it is going to be difficult for another G/C to make the 53.