The Las Vegas Raiders have high hopes that they can kick things up a notch on offense going into the 2021 NFL season.
All signs point toward the Raiders moving forward with Derek Carr under center for the foreseeable future. Head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock have now ramped up their efforts to beef up his supporting cast.
Las Vegas already added some firepower with the signing of former Buffalo Bills wide receiver John Brown. It appears he will be reuniting with a former teammate of his.
According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Raiders have re-signed wide receiver Zay Jones:
The #Raiders are expected re-sign WR Zay Jones, source said, keeping the former #Bills WR around another year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2021
The Raiders traded a fifth-round to the Bills in exchange pick for Jones prior to the 2019 campaign. Unfortunately, he still has yet to etch out an integral role for himself in the passing game after hauling in just 34 catches for 301 yards in 26 games over the last two seasons.
Despite his lack of production, it is evident that Jones was able to do enough to make an impression on Gruden and the coaching staff. As a result, they are giving him another year to prove that he can emerge as a viable option for Carr.
The Raiders have made it clear that speed will be the name of the game in the receiving corps. Not only are Jones and Brown known as burners over the top, but second-year wideout Henry Ruggs is also in the midst of finding his footing at the next level.
The departure of wide receiver Nelson Agholor has left a notable void for the remaining names to fill come next season. Jones will be competing with Ruggs, Brown, Bryan Edwards, and Hunter Renfrow for quality snaps on offense.
Although there are still several notable voids to fill, it is safe to say that the Raiders like where they are at with this receiver group.
