Proving Ground: Two Raiders With Opportunity

Whether fans or media like it, what they expect for certain players doesn’t always come to fruition. The Las Vegas Raiders are not the exception to this steadfast rule. As the days heat up in the Nevada desert, so do the hopes that seldomly-used players will eventually find their way into the limelight, garnering both praise and accolades alike, For Jon Gruden’s team, that list of potential breakout stars reads like a who’s who of draft picks. The Raiders, in all candor, failed to make a significant splash with certain draft picks living up to their selection status. For some, their time is now. For others, time could be slowly slipping away. Either way, these athletes need to succeed.

Bryan Edwards

On paper, Edwards checks every single box for the Raiders. A big, physical wideout with the ability to win on routes with brute force and just enough burst to make defenders sweat. Yet, the ball rarely found the former South Carolina product. In twelve games, he enjoyed only fifteen targets, snaring eleven passes. More importantly, averaging 17.5 yards a catch just screams big-play target. Meanwhile, the size could potentially help in the red zone, where the Raiders continue to struggle with scoring six and not seven points. Heading into 2021, the Raiders need a find a way to see their quarterback and big wideout connect. Edwards’ talent exists to everyone blessed with functional eyesight. Now, the results must follow suit.

Darron Lee

The former Jets’ first rounder looks to resurrect his career in Las Vegas. Granted, Lee initially appears as a special-teamer/possible camp body, he brings a vast physical profile to the table. With speed and explosiveness, Lee can cover tight ends and backs, an issue that continues to plague the Raiders’ defense. With Nicholas Morrow expected to see the lion’s share of those snaps, Lee needs a stellar camp to open Gus Bradley’s eyes wide enough to possibly start ahead. During this season, Lee turns just 27, in his prime with relatively low miles, and snaps to his credit. If he doesn’t shine in Vegas, that could be the beginning of the end.

Outlook

Players like Edwards, Amik Robertson, and even Darron Lee could go a long way in shutting the critics up. The Raiders, for good and bad, will serve as a proving ground for many players that either need opportunity or cling to their last grasp at a sustainable NFL career.