We’re just shy of a few days from the NFL Draft, and there are a couple of areas the Las Vegas Raiders could look to address. While it’s not the most pressing need, the wide receiver position is certainly a spot the Raiders could add to in the draft.
General manager John Spytek may want some of the later-round picks in this deep receiver class. That’s especially true since the position might not warrant a Day 1 or 2 selection. If the Raiders decide to address the position on Day 3 of the draft, these three players would make the most sense.
3 Late-Round WRs The Raiders Should Target
Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech
Jaylin Lane is a fascinating prospect Las Vegas should consider for the fourth or fifth rounds.
Lane is a player whose speed makes him a giant threat. His top-end speed, which can overwhelm the defense, also makes him a formidable threat with the ball in his hands after the catch. This helps him when working on comeback routes, as defenders are quicker to flip their hips when worried about his speed.
However, his route-running needs work overall. He has some giveaways when running routes and just doesn’t move that fluidly when breaking in his routes. He runs physically with the ball in his hands but doesn’t quite muster that same strength when in contested catch scenarios. His element of speed would be a welcome addition to the Raiders’ offense, though.
Jimmy Horn Jr., Colorado
For much of the 2024 season, Raiders fans wanted their team to leave the draft with Jimmy Horn’s teammate, Shedeur Sanders. In reality, picking up Horn would be a beneficial addition on its own.
Horn is a smaller player. But with that size, he plays competitively. He shows intensity throughout the game and is consistent when it comes to catching the ball. He has courage and can catch the ball in traffic; he is athletic enough to be a threat after the catch as well.
While Horn plays tough, sometimes his smaller stature hurts him against bigger, more physical cornerbacks. He needs to rely on agility and technique to overcome his size disadvantage. If he can’t compete with his size, he’ll need more agility to be able to break free from those types of corners. Horn does many good things, but he’ll have to combat these issues in the NFL.
Elijah Badger, Florida
There are a couple of receivers out of Florida who could go towards the end of the draft, but Badger is one that would fit in Las Vegas.
Badger appears to possess a natural aptitude for the game of football. He’s on the skinnier side but has no shortage of athleticism and understands how to change his pace in his routes to throw defenders off. He comes to a stop quickly on comeback routes and has excellent hands.
His lack of polish in his route-running, as well as concerns about his durability due to his smaller size, have left him lower on draft boards. He also had a back injury in 2023 that could concern some teams.
Still, there’s a lot to like about Badger, and the tools are there. He could certainly be a worthwhile player for Las Vegas late in the draft.
