Raiders missing a leading man, Marvin Harrison Jr. could be the answer

The Las Vegas Raiders’ three leading pass catchers combined for 20 receptions, 236 yards and a touchdown Sunday.An impressive afternoon.Until you get to the part where none of them plays wide receiver.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.

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Never miss a story That is both a compliment to Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer and Ashton Jeanty and a flashing warning light for a team trying to close the remaining distance between itself and the Kansas City Chiefs.The Raiders have dangerous weapons.They have a coach who knows how to deploy them.

And in Sunday’s 30–27 loss, they offered more evidence that the days of showing up against Kansas City hoping merely to survive are over.But they also have a hole that good coaching and exceptional tight ends can only do so much to conceal.They need a leading man at wide receiver.And if the Arizona Cardinals make Marvin Harrison Jr.available, which appears more and more likely by the day, general manager John Spytek needs to be near the front of the line.Multiple NFL sources indicated that fair value would depend on how many teams enter the bidding, but a third-round pick could likely be enough to land him.At that price, the Raiders need to have a serious conversation.They are clearly ahead of schedule.

A 3–1 start and a competitive afternoon against Kansas City have raised the possibility that meaningful football can arrive sooner than anticipated.That should influence how they approach opportunities to improve.Klint Kubiak has coached with responsible aggressiveness, trusting his players and pursuing the plays he believes give them the best chance to win.His willingness to attack helped put the Raiders in position to beat the Chiefs.A bold move for Harrison would fit that mentality.

The front office would be recognizing an opening and deciding w...