The Las Vegas Raiders released wide receiver Henry Ruggs III after he figured out in a vehicle crash that killed one person.
He will face two felony charges, namely driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in death and reckless driving.
If found guilty on both instances, Ruggs will spend prison time from three to 36 years.
It would be hard for the Raiders to address the void that their 2020 first-round selection vacated because he leads the team in receiving yards (469) and yards per catch (19.5).
Police markings stretch hundreds of feet on Rainbow at the Henry Ruggs crash site, with small smashed car parts and glass littered throughout the scene. #vegas #raiders pic.twitter.com/KFiMAu4CpV
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) November 2, 2021
Worst, the Raiders have three receivers left in their active roster: Hunter Renfrow, Bryan Edwards, and Zay Jones.
Jones will likely take Ruggs’ spot as the “Z” receiver, and he has big shoes to fill.
Eight games into the season, the five-year veteran from East Carolina has 115 yards and a touchdown.
His only scoring catch was the walk-off touchdown that helped Las Vegas defeat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.
🚨 WALK-OFF TD BY ZAY JONES!🚨
RAIDERS WIN IT IN VEGAS!
(via @NFLBrasil)pic.twitter.com/2oRpWY9hVe
— ESPN (@espn) September 14, 2021
Meanwhile, Renfrow and Edwards combined for 745 yards and three touchdowns.
The Raiders can elevate any of their practice squad receivers to the active roster.
However, they are more likely to bring in a free agent wide receiver to help them hold the fort until the 2022 offseason comes.
Here are viable targets that can help them reach the playoffs for only the second time since 2003.
3. Alshon Jeffery
He’s not the best option out there, but he can deliver in certain situations.
However, his health is the biggest concern if the Raiders were to bring him in.
He was on the Physically Unable to Perform list to begin the 2020 season and played seven games for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Welcome back, Alshon Jeffery! #FlyEaglesFly
📺: FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/uPnyeJSIAR pic.twitter.com/NeRPEeKdTP— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2019
Unfortunately, he only had 115 receiving yards and a touchdown during that stretch.
But he is a proven commodity after helping the Eagles win Super Bowl LII.
Jeffery can get the job done if the Raiders need an extra hand.
It would be a bonus for the squad if he can regain his Pro Bowl form.
2. John Brown
The Raiders released Brown before the 2021 season because of their stacked rotation at wide receiver.
They need to pick him up once again before another team does.
It’s a mystery that no one acquired the 31-year-old veteran after having an explosive 2019 season with the Buffalo Bills.
The Bills fell back down to earth in their 2018 season, finishing 6-10.
Going into the 2019 off-season, The Bills knew they needed to get Allen more talented skill players, which they found in free agents:
WR John Brown
WR Cole Beasley(15/
— Andy (@bizalmanac) November 1, 2021
The Pittsburgh State alum had 72 receptions for 1,060 yards and six touchdowns during that year.
Sadly, a calf injury and a high ankle sprain sidelined him for seven games in 2020.
However, Brown still ended up with 458 yards and three touchdowns.
In this time of great need, he can be a steady contributor who gives their starting receivers some time to rest.
1. DeSean Jackson
His release from the Los Angeles Rams comes as no surprise, considering that the NFC West squad is flying high with Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Van Jefferson.
The 34-year-old is the best fit for what the Raiders are seeking because he can stretch the field like Ruggs.
While Jackson became an auxiliary for head coach Sean McVay, he’s not slowing down based on this 75-yard touchdown catch from Matthew Stafford.
What a tendem. Stafford is on fire. Check out this 75-yard bomb to DeSean Jackson #Rams #RamsHouse #NFL #LA #Touchdown #LARams pic.twitter.com/2IrjcpFC4L
— Gabriel Schray (@schrayguy) September 26, 2021
He still averaged 27.6 yards per reception in seven games with the Rams.
The Raiders won’t miss a beat if they sign Jackson off waivers.
He’s the only one among free-agent wide receivers who can catch Derek Carr’s aggressive throws downfield.
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