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Las Vegas Raiders: 2021 is Gruden’s chance to finish the rebuild

By Ian Higgins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders talks to Derek Carr #4 during a timeout in the fourth quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders talks to Derek Carr #4 during a timeout in the fourth quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 01: Rashod Bateman #13 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers runs after a catch during the 2020 Outback Bowl against the Auburn Tigers at Raymond James Stadium on January 01, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 01: Rashod Bateman #13 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers runs after a catch during the 2020 Outback Bowl against the Auburn Tigers at Raymond James Stadium on January 01, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

2020 Starters: Henry Ruggs III, Nelson Agholor (FA), Hunter Renfrow

Las Vegas has two of its three cornerstone receivers. Respective veteran Hunter Renfrow has fulfilled the quickness and slot capability of the offense, Henry Ruggs is the field-stretching speedster, but the portion still missing is a reliable X-receiver who presents size and athleticism to go one-on-one down the boundary.

Rashod Bateman is not one of the leading names of the 2021 NFL draft wide receiver class, but he is the prospect with the best size and acrobatic ability.

At six-foot-two, Bateman fits the typical physical mold of a primary star wideout such as DeAndre Hopkins. Bateman has also made himself the subject of countless highlight reels because of his uncanny ability to high-point the ball with immense body control.

After drafting two wide receivers last year, one of which addressing the size element on the outside (Bryan Edwards, SC), there are other spots on the roster which could command the same attention. The thing to remember though is offenses in the NFL only become more explosive, and adding weapons whenever possible is never out of the question.

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Rashod Bateman WR

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