When it came out that the Cleveland Browns were not going to use their franchise tag on wide receiver, Terrelle Pryor, he immediately became an interesting free agent. He’s a big, fast, and raw wide receiver that could be a real difference maker on the right team. Fans of his old team, the Oakland Raiders, have stirred up several rumors about the converted passer. Should the Oakland Raiders give Terrelle Pryor a look?
The Oakland Raiders and Terrelle Pryor
Terrelle Pryor truly is a unique prospect. At 6’4, 223 pounds, Pryor is remarkably fast. When he came into the league, he ran a 4.38 40 yard dash. In his first full year as a wide receiver, Pryor caught 77 passes for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns. That’s not bad for someone that’s basically a rookie. As part of the right offense, Pryor could be a real game changer. But as a part of the Raiders offense?
Need
Do the Oakland Raiders need Terrelle Pryor? That’s the big question. On paper, adding a big, fast receiver only feels like a good thing. But where does he fit in on the team in real life? He isn’t anywhere near as polished as Amari Cooper, so he can’t replace him. And he doesn’t have the experience or route running ability of Michael Crabtree, so it doesn’t make sense o replace him.
As exciting as Pryor could be, he is still a very one dimensional receiver. The Raiders have enough problems with drops without bringing someone in they can’t trust. The only way he’d really fit in on the offense is as the third receiver. Lord knows Seth Roberts isn’t the most consistent guy, and there’s no promise that Ryan Switzer ends up a Raider. So the Raiders would have to pay big money to bring is a slot receiver. Speaking of big money…
Money Talks
There’s a bit of a theme regarding Oakland’s potential free agents this year. The Raiders would welcome any and all players that can help them improve, but only for the right price. Quarterback Derek Carr and pass rusher Khalil Mack are both set to be re-signed over the next two off-seasons, and neither man will be cheap. Derek Carr will likely be the league’s highest paid player, and Mack the highest paid non-quarterback.
After an impressive debut season on a bad team, Terrelle Pryor is going to be a popular free agent. He’s only 27 years old, and he is only going to get better as a pass-catcher. It’s just hard to imagine him signing an inexpensive or “earn it” contract with anyone. In all likelihood, he’ll end up right back on the Browns.
Rose-Colored Glasses
Nostalgia is a funny thing. When you look to the past, you look through rose-colored glasses, and all the red flags just look like flags. Fans often develop emotional attachments to current or former players, and they’re blinded to the business side of the NFL. Raiders fans are no different.
Raiders fans would like to see the Raiders re-sign Pryor, as well as the likes of Marcel Reece. Before Jack Del Rio came to town, they even wanted the Raiders to bring Jon Gruden back into the fold. There’s a very good chance that the Raiders will release kicker Sebastian Janikowski at some point this off-season, and it will not go over well with the fans.
The Last Word
Terrelle Pryor will likely get a chance to be a big-shot wide receiver in the NFL this year. Whether his relationship with Hue Jackson is strong enough to bring him back or whether he takes a hefty payday elsewhere, he’ll get his chance. For the time being, Pryor to Oakland just doesn’t make any sense. The money doesn’t make sense, he doesn’t really fit into the offense, and it would just be awkward. Especially when you consider that Derek Carr ended up being the savior Pryor never was.
