Most improved position groups in the NFL heading into the 2019 season

#10 Raiders receivers

After Jon Gruden and the Raiders traded Amari Cooper in the middle of last season, their receiver group was atrocious. Jordy Nelson was probably the best guy among that group and he has retired since then. Martavis Bryant seemingly could not learn the playbook and wasn’t on the field close to what his talent would dictate, Seth Roberts is now the third or maybe even fourth receiver on a very inexperienced Ravens depth chart and Brandon LaFell has gone from an okay number two about three years ago to having his worst statistical season as a pro.

The one guy I still like that is left from that group is second-year man Marcell Ateman, who comes off the ball as a vertical threat and has the size as well as the hands to make tough catches over defenders. With that being said, Oakland’s top three receiver spots are on a different level now. No matter what you think of Antonio Brown’s offseason craziness when that guy is right, he is among the very best at the position.

Tyrell Williams has a chance to be one of the top WR2s and was always underrated with the Chargers. And Hunter Renfrow might not meet NFL standards for size or athleticism, but he puts in work as a slot receiver and always came up clutch for Clemson on third downs. I think this trio could be better than what the Raiders had with Amari Cooper in year two and Michael Crabtree at his best back in 2016, when Derek Carr was an MVP candidate until he got hurt in week 16 and everybody forgot about him. If Jon Gruden is willing to adept more to the modern game and utilize wide-open sets, the entire offense could make a huge jump.