Key Takeaways:
– The Las Vegas Raiders have signed wide receiver Alex Bachman to their roster.
– Bachman was the undrafted free agent signing of the LA Rams in 2019 and spent three seasons with the New York Giants.
– Bachman’s specialty in returning kicks and punts could prove vital to the Raiders, who lack a dedicated returner.
– Davante Adams, one of the Raiders’ leading wide receivers, is still considered to be among the top NFL players above 30, despite his declining stats.
– Tre Tucker stands a chance to shine as the Raiders’ potential number three wide receiver.
Expansion of Raiders Roster
On May 22, the Las Vegas Raiders announced their latest addition to the wide receiver room: free agent Alex Bachman. Bachman, a former undrafted free agent signing of the Los Angeles Rams in 2019, has had a diverse career, playing effectively in various teams with his longest stint being at the New York Giants. Bachman may face an uphill battle fitting into the Raiders’ well-stacked receiver room, but his range of skills could score him a slot on the team.
Bachman’s NFL Journey
The wide receiver’s NFL track has been a roller coaster since he joined the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent. Despite not having any recorded receptions, Bachman boasts experience in returning kicks and punts, a skill set valuable for the Raiders who are yet to secure a dedicated returner. As the team continues to test various players, Bachman has the potential to prove his worth and compete for a spot through his skills in return games.
The Raiders’ Leading Wide Receivers
The Raiders’ wide receiver room is impressive, bolstered by top-notch players like three-time All-Pro Davante Adams. In spite of a statistically slow year in 2023 due to a shaky quarterback situation in Las Vegas, Adams remains an elite athlete being ranked as the ninth-best NFL player over 30, according to John Kosko of Pro Football Focus.
While it remains unclear whether Adams’ declining performance is due to age or other factors, his elite route-running ability was still evident last season. However, he may again struggle to achieve spectacular stats in 2024 because of likely quarterback instabilities.
Raiders’ Wide Receivers: Beyond Adams
Aside from Adams, the Raiders boast quality players in the wide receiver room. Jakobi Meyers holds the No. 2 wide receiver spot showcasing exceptional talent. A potential breakout player to watch is Tre Tucker, the 2023 third-round pick identified by Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox as a likely candidate for the Raiders’ No. 3 wide receiver.
Tucker’s speed is one of his foremost traits, and if he can reliably create deep threats, he could substantially open up the team’s offense. Whichever quarterback occupies the spot, be it the 2023 Pro Bowl alternate Minshew or someone else pushing O’Connell to up the ante, Tucker’s firm grip on the WR3 role behind Adams and Meyers will likely be a significant gain for the Raiders.
With hopeful wide receivers and a strong leader, the Raiders have the potential to create a strong offensive performance. This recent addition of Alex Bachman might be the rounded-off touch to their wide receiver room. Only time will tell where this leads.