Could Chargers WR Tyrell Williams be a target for the Raiders?

It’s pretty well known that the Raiders’ biggest need this offseason is an edge rusher. After trading Khalil Mack and releasing Bruce Irvin, the cupboard was left awfully bare. But after edge rusher, the receiver position may be the team’s second-biggest need.

The current depth chart for the Raiders is not pretty. The best receiver on the roster is Jordy Nelson, who will turn 34-years old in May. In his first season with the Raiders, he caught 63 passes but averaged just 11.7 yards per receptions. At best, he should be viewed as a No.2 heading into 2019.

After Nelson, there is quite a bit of uncertainty. Marcell Ateman is a 7th-round selection who showed flashes in 2018 but is a long ways away from being a productive receiver. Dwayne Harris is scheduled to be a free agent, as well is Brandon LaFell. The team desperately needs to add talent (and bodies) to the position and could so via free agency.

One intriguing name the Raiders could consider signing this offseason is Tyrell Williams of the Los Angeles Chargers. Williams is one of the best big-play receivers in the league, averaging over 16 yards per reception in his career. His best season came in 2016, where he caught 69 passes for 1,059 yards and seven touchdowns.

Despite being just a complementary receiver in Los Angeles, expect Williams to garner a lot of attention during the free agent process because of his home-run ability and his age (26). Across the league, he is seen as a player whose stock is on the rise and should only get better with a more prominent role.

If Williams does hit the open market, expect the Raiders to have at least some level of interest. Williams views himself as a No.1 receiver, and in Oakland, that might just be the case. The addition of Williams along with a potentially a draft pick could dramatically improve the Raiders’ wide receiver corps in 2019.