Tyrell Williams spent the 2020 season on the Raiders’ IR list. The parties will part ways ahead of the 2021 slate. The Raiders plan to release the veteran wide receiver at the start of the 2021 league year in March, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).
With a Williams release saving the Raiders more than $10MM in cap space, this has long been the expected course of action for a team that further revamped its wide receiver group last year. This move will create $11.6MM in additional funds for the Raiders, who had already paid out Williams’ guarantees.
The Raiders signed Williams in 2019. While that deal only contained a season’s worth of guarantees, the Raiders kept Williams around last year. But a torn shoulder labrum ended his season before it started.
Williams’ Raiders fit was off from the start. The team planned on having the ex-Charger as its No. 2 wideout in 2019, having traded for Antonio Brown. When the latter proved to be a monumental distraction ahead of his release, Williams was asked to be a go-to target. In 2020, Las Vegas drafted Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards — both of whom figure to feature heavily in the Silver and Black’s 2021 passing attack. Nelson Agholor, a fellow 2020 arrival, is a free agent.
Williams caught 42 passes for 651 yards and six touchdowns in 2019 — numbers nearly identical to his 2018 Bolts work — and has a 1,000-yard season (2016) on his resume. The former UDFA is on the verge of returning to full strength, with Pelissero noting that is expected within the next month, and is still south of 30. Williams will turn 29 on Friday.
That said, the longtime AFC West contributor will enter what could well be a buyer’s receiver market. Numerous starters are on track for free agency, and Williams will head to the market after missing a full season. With the cap expected to drop by nearly $20MM, this is a bad combination for the six-year veteran. Former Chargers assistants have dispersed throughout the league, however, and Williams would represent a buy-low option for the likes of Frank Reich (Indianapolis), Nick Sirianni and Shane Steichen (Philadelphia) or Anthony Lynn (Detroit). All three teams are in need at wide receiver.
I still think the raiders have some of the worst wrs in the league. Imagine if carr had better receivers like they do in kc or Tampa. Not saying that makes up for all his deficiencies but man they have no one that can get separation at all! Ruggs looked mediocre at best, really poor drafting passed 2 years outside of jacobs.
I’m going to disagree with you on this Tat.
Waller has been incredible Ruggs was a rookie still learning the playbook but has crazy speed
Renfrow has been great in the slot and reminds me of Edelman/Welker mix and Agholor just had a career year!
I agree
Raider j81 did I mentioned tight end? I said wrs….reading helps. Over the last 3 years raiders wrs have been amongst the bottom of the league. Refrow is okay still struggles with seperation and slot is arguably the least important position for get down field so opponents can’t stack the box because we have no depth threat. Really hoping for allen robinson on the outside and further development from ruggs.
Little harsh there bud. Waller catches the ball right? Therefore I referred to him as a receiver even though yes he is a TE.
Yeah, that was pretty dumb of Gruden to pass on Jeudy, Lamb, Jefferson, Aiyuk, Higgins.
Traded away a potential weapon in Bowden Jr too.
I agree I wanted jeudy, lamb over ruggs. Another miss from gruden and co almost as bad as Clelin Ferrell could have had Josh allen the de for jags. Instead took a bum
I Beg To Differ • 17 hours ago
Yeah, that was pretty dumb of Gruden to pass on Jeudy, Lamb, Jefferson, Aiyuk, Higgins.
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Lamb was the guy I wanted. Jeudy was 2nd, but not nearly as good, imho.
But it makes no sense to mention the other guys. Absolutely no one was drafting any of those guys ahead of Ruggs.
But Bowden should never have been drafted. We had a ton of other needs.
Williams exceeded all expectations as a Charger. He may have some limitations, but he could fly and proved to be a vertical threat when he’s healthy. I hope another team gives him a chance.
Tyrell Williams is the great disappointment. He is the prime example of work hard, get paid, check out.
I am reading the criticism of the current WR and the draft picks. The offense is only going to gel and get better….
The Raiders were a couple of Defensive pieces away from sweeping KC and a playoff run. The D did not make any mid season adjustments so Coach Gruden made it for the staff.
I think an Allen robinson would go along way for this offense. Along with a de that can actually rush the passer and raiders look primed for a playoff push.
The Raiders should’ve beaten the Chiefs twice. And they beat the Saints, probably should’ve beaten the Bills, beat the Browns, and simply mailed it in on several other games.
I don’t think anyone has gotten less out of their defensive talent than the Raiders.