Triple Threat: Raiders Pass Catchers Will Unleash Versatility On Defense

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The pass-catching trio of Waller, Adams, and Renfrow should light up the scoreboard for the Raiders.

Although WAR is most known by baseball fans as “Wins Above Replacement”, the acronym could be familiarized amongst Raiders fans. For Raiders fans, WAR could stand for (Darren) Waller, (Davante) Adams, and (Hunter) Renfrow, which has shaped up to be one of the most dangerous offensive trios in the league.

Waller The Baller

Due to his size and speed, Darren Waller has proven to be a single-coverage matchup nightmare, as he is too big for defensive backs and typically too fast for linebackers to guard without any sort of assistance. Not only can Waller make space for himself with his route-running, but he can also utilize the space created and turn a big play into a massive one. The perks of Waller running tight end with this group is his position’s expectancy to block throughout the game. Although many would suggest Waller shedding any sort of blocking role, a chip block can create a bit of a timing route, allowing him to enter the space Renfrow and Adams may have just cleared and wait for a pass.

Tae Day

Although Davante Adams could stand alone from the trio and still automatically boost a team’s offense, having noteworthy offensive threats alongside him is something he has rarely experienced. Adams’ impressive pass-catching and route-running may have increased in line with his experience of being the only real threat in Green Bay, but now that work gets to pay off. When Waller and Renfrow join him on the field, it will be increasingly difficult to keep an extra set of eyes on him throughout the game, without leaving another threat uncovered. Adams brings the threat of big plays and forces the defense onto their toes before the ball is even snapped.

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The Quarterback’s Best Friend

Davante Adams will be the premier offensive threat defenses will gameplan for. However,  adding two bonafide threats around him will remove a significant amount of direct attention.  The only fear fans should have regarding Adams could be frustration regarding a target share falling lower than what he is used to, but it can be assumed that, if his targets drop, it will be very clear that it is not due to malicious intent from Derek Carr, who has been luring Adams to the Silver and Black for years. The Raiders need him to play at his elite level.

Crisp Routes That Cash Checks

From 2020 to 2021, Hunter Renfrow doubled his receiving yard total and more than quadrupled his receiving touchdowns as the offense appeared to mold around him. In less than a year, Renfrow went from a reliable third-down option to a Pro Bowl receiver. Due to his size and skillset, Renfrow’s playstyle compares more to Adams’ than Waller’s.  Trotting out two quick receivers with elite hands, followed by a bomber like Waller, should be a lethal combination.

Vegas Jackpot

Regardless of wherever Renfrow and Adams line up on the field, they should have no trouble carving defenses to shreds and creating space for the third member of their trio. There is no doubt this offense will be run creatively yet effectively. In order to allow each of the three their time in the spotlight., each will see passes. Should victory and team success remain the main goal, this offensive trio will be impossible to stop.