Four Areas Raiders Coaches Want Their Wide Receivers to Improve

The Las Vegas Raiders have plenty of uncertainty at wide receiver, and their lack of proven talent became even more concerning after a disappointing performance in the second preseason game.

Head coach Klint Kubiak was particularly critical of the position group afterward, making it clear that the receivers need to improve quickly if they want to earn meaningful roles once the regular season begins.

“We have to get a lot better, very fast,” Kubiak said. “We took a step backwards. Doesn’t mean we can’t go forward, but right now we are trying to find someone that is accountable and can help us on Sunday. Still looking.”

Offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko provided more insight into what the coaching staff expects from the receivers. He identified four key areas: getting off the line with the proper tempo, reaching the correct depth on routes, hitting the right break points and making plays when the ball arrives.

The final point is perhaps the most obvious. Players who can make difficult plays in crucial moments are valuable at any position. However, the other areas are more technical, which could be concerning this late in the preseason.

Route Precision Remains a Problem

The encouraging part is that many of the issues identified by the coaching staff are relatively straightforward. Improving route depth, timing and break points doesn’t necessarily require a complete overhaul of a player’s skill set.

The problem is that the Raiders have only one preseason game remaining, and those fundamental issues still haven’t been corrected.

The coaching staff is looking for receivers who can execute their assignments consistently and provide reliable production. So far, that hasn’t happened at the level Kubiak wants.

How the Receivers Responded

Tre Tucker was the only Raiders wide receiver who didn’t play in the previous preseason game, an indication that he appears to have established himself as the team’s top option at the position.

Tucker was asked how the receiver room responded after Kubiak publicly criticized the group.

He emphasized that the players are focused on coming to work, improving every day and using the preseason to correct mistakes before the games become meaningful.

Tucker also pointed to the importance of measuring progress from one practice and game to the next. The goal, he said, is to continually improve and put the team in position to reach its goals during the regular season.

There is an obvious problem with that assessment, though: Kubiak specifically said the receivers regressed in their latest preseason appearance rather than improving.

Raiders Need Someone to Emerge

Brock Bowers is expected to be the centerpiece of the Raiders’ passing attack, while Tucker appears to be the leading wide receiver behind him.

Beyond those two, however, the depth chart remains unsettled.

Jalen Nailor could potentially earn a larger role after joining the Raiders from Minnesota, where he was previously viewed as more of a fourth option. Second-year receivers Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton are also hoping to make significant progress in their second NFL seasons.

Rookie Malik Benson is another intriguing possibility after generating plenty of attention during training camp.

The problem is that none of those players has established himself as a dependable NFL producer.

With only one preseason game remaining, the Raiders need their young and inexperienced receivers to show significant improvement. If they cannot clean up the technical mistakes and start making impact plays, the position could remain one of the biggest weaknesses on the roster heading into Week 1.