Alternative Free Agent Options at Wide Receiver
General manager Mike Mayock and Gruden can bolster the wide receiver corps without overpaying for Anderson or pushing all their chips to the middle of the draft table.
Along with Anderson, notable names like Emmanuel Sanders, Demarcus Robinson and Randall Cobb will hit the open market. Don’t forget a sleeper option like Rashard Higgins, who was highlighted in a previous breakdown of potential free-agent targets.
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor spoke about the intention to retain A.J. Green, per Geoff Hobson.
“Oh, absolutely. He’s a big priority for us,” Taylor said. “Things will have to work out over the course of the spring, but we certainly plan on A.J. being in the fold next year. He’s back healthy and we know that’s a huge weapon that will certainly benefit us.”
Don’t expect Amari Cooper to rejoin the Raiders in Vegas after he admitted to being unhappy during his stint with the Silver and Black.
As primarily a slot receiver who would take away from Renfrow’s targets on the inside, Cobb isn’t the best fit for a team in need of an outside threat. Sanders and Robinson would be intriguing options. Both spent a fair amount of time playing against the Raiders as AFC West foes.
Sanders takes a backseat to the San Francisco 49ers’ second-ranked ground attack, but he’s a veteran with reliable hands, logging catch rates at 68 percent or higher over the last two seasons, which includes 19 games with the Denver Broncos.
The Raiders should remember Robinson. The Kansas City Chiefs wideout torched defensive coordinator Paul Guenther’s secondary, hauling in all six of his targets for 172 yards and two touchdowns.
At 6’1″, 203 pounds, Robinson has some vertical speed and big-play ability. He’s likely on the way out because of rookie second-rounder Mecole Hardman’s ascension, but the 25-year-old has room to grow and would serve as a solid asset for depth.
Add Depth During Free Agency, Find No. 1 Option in the Draft
Assuming Green re-signs with the Bengals and Cooper isn’t interested in a Raiders return, free agency doesn’t offer alternative No. 1 options at wide receiver. The talent pool provides a lot of No. 2 and No. 3 options.
The Raiders should use free agency to add a veteran wide receiver on a modest deal and spend big dollars to improve their defense, which has holes on every level.
Equipped with five picks within the top 91 selections in April, the Raiders have the resources to bolster and double-dip at wide receiver and still pick up a linebacker, safety and defensive lineman during the draft.
Again, Robby Anderson is a solid wideout, but at a reported $14 million price tag, the Raiders can spend their money in a more cost-effective fashion and still address their offensive need early in the draft. Mayock and Gruden need to play 3D chess—not one-dimensional checkers as they continue to fill out the roster.