Tafur: Expect Raiders to “Cut the Pie Up Pretty Good” at Wide Receiver

The Raiders are more loaded with offensive talent than they have been in almost two decades – and especially at wide receiver.

With so many pass-catching playmakers on the roster will there be enough balls to go around and will there be a dependable wide receiver in terms of fantasy football production?

Unlike last year when Antonio Brown was slated to be the centerpiece of the Raiders’ receiver group, The Athletic’s Vic Tafur believes Jon Gruden’s offense will be designed out of the gate to spread the ball around more this year.

“I think they’re going to cut the pie up pretty good,” Tafur said on The State of the Nation podcast. “I think people forget that [Tyrell] Williams had five touchdowns in the first half of the year before he got hurt so he’ll definitely be a factor again.”

Tafur also said Ruggs would be putting up “good numbers” if he is able to get 800 receiving yards in his rookie year. Maybe expect Ruggs III to make his biggest impact this year by clearing out the secondary for others to operate underneath.

If you’re looking for a consistent plug-in receiver for your fantasy football lineup, Hunter Renfrow figures to be Derek Carr’s safety valve on about every play the second-year receiver is on the field. The trust level is already there and Renfrow doesn’t drop many passes. Something like 4-5 receptions per game from Renfrow seems like a reasonable expectation with a touchdown sprinkled in here and there.

As for Williams, who Tafur reminded us not to forget, he’ll need to overcome the drops that plagued him a year ago. This year Gruden has options at receiver if players aren’t getting the job done. That said, if Williams does improve on the drops it will be hard to keep him off the field. He knows Gruden’s offense and has a year of reps with Derek Carr already under his belt.

And then there’s Bryan Edwards…

Like Ruggs III, when the day comes that Edwards elevates to a starting role… look out league! Edwards has the potential to be one of the most physically imposing wide receivers in the league and Gruden really likes him.

twitter: @raidersbeat