The Las Vegas Raiders have the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft all but locked in on quarterback Fernando Mendoza, but general manager John Spytek still has nine more selections to address a roster with several holes. One area that could use an upgrade is wide receiver.
The current group includes Jack Bech, Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Dont’e Thornton, Shedrick Jackson, Dareke Young, Phillip Dorsett II, Justin Shorter, and Brenden Rice. Coach Klint Kubiak has praised Tucker’s film, but Bech and Thornton are still developing after rookie seasons. Thornton fits the mold of a big X receiver but needs to get stronger and improve his deep-ball connection. Nailor, a Bishop Gorman alum, joined in free agency and could break out after being buried on Minnesota’s depth chart. Tight end Brock Bowers essentially serves as the team’s No. 1 receiver.
“I think everyone would love the traditional (Calvin Johnson) X in their offense,” Kubiak said at the NFL League Meetings. “You don’t see those guys as much. I think you’re just trying to get your five best eligibles however you can get them and then go get them open on game day.”
The top receivers in the draft — Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, USC’s Makai Lemon, and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson — are expected to be gone by the time the Raiders pick early in the second round. Mid-round targets include Denzel Boston (Washington), Omar Cooper (Indiana), KC Concepcion (Texas A&M), and Elijah Sarratt (Indiana). Cooper would reunite with Mendoza, while Sarratt could be a later option. Bishop Gorman alum Zachariah Branch (Georgia) offers hometown speed. Malachi Fields (Notre Dame) and Ted Hurst (Georgia State) are possible X-receiver picks; Fields wins contested catches despite lacking elite speed or route-running.
Late-round possibilities include Bryce Lance (North Dakota State), an athletic but raw FCS standout, and Chris Bell (Louisville), a big receiver who may rise on boards. J. Michael Sturdivant (Florida) has more potential than production. Ja’Kobi Lane (USC) fits as a red-zone contested-catch specialist who could mesh with Mendoza’s back-shoulder throws.
The NFL Draft takes place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
