Gruden: 2ndyear guys must ‘step up’
Last offseason, new head coach Jon Gruden emphasized the Raiders’ need for more production from their recent draft classes.
On Friday, as Raiders players reported for training camp, the same message was levied at members of Gruden’s first class.
In a news conference, Gruden and new general manager Mike Mayock both mentioned the Raiders’ secondyear players, a group that played heavily as rookies during the team’s 412 finish in 2018.
“I want to continue to hammer the secondyear players,” Gruden said.
“Like Jon, I can’t wait to see some of these secondyear players,” Mayock said. “If we’re going to have a chance to compete this year, some of those guys have to step up.”
Last season, Raiders rookies played significant roles at offensive tackle (Kolton Miller and Brandon Parker), defensive line (Maurice Hurst, Arden Key, P.J. Hall) and special teams (Johnny Townsend, Daniel Carlson, Trent Sieg).
After finishing last in the league in sacks, the Raiders added to their defensive line in the draft (ends Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby) and via free agency (signing end Josh Mauro and resigning defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins). But Hurst and Hall remain key to the interior rotation, while the Raiders hope to use Key, who had one sack in 2018, more as a passrushing specialist.
“The Raiders didn’t want to play (Key) the percentage of snaps he played a year ago, which I think took a little bit away from his pass rush,” Mayock said. “And I’m not trying to give him an excuse at all. But he’s been able to sustain some additional weight. We hope that translates to more production.
“On the inside, we’re wide open to P.J. and Mo making a big move at training camp. But it has to come from them. We’re not handing them anything.”
Miller, the 2018 firstround pick, started 16 games at left tackle despite playing part of the season with a knee injury. The Raiders intend to keep Miller at left tackle and have Trent Brown, whom they made the highestpaid offensive lineman in the NFL this offseason, at right tackle.
“Kolton Miller is a guy that we think has huge upside,” Gruden said. “He’s tough, also. He played through a lot of things last year. He’s a sharp kid, has got a lot of pride. I would be shocked if he is not one of the strong points of this offensive team this year.”
Others from the 2018 draft — cornerback Nick Nelson (fourth round) and receiver Marcell Ateman (seventh round) — could be competing for roster spots in camp. Gruden said Nelson, who missed six games because of an injury as a rookie, was “one of the bright spots in Alameda” this offseason. Townsend ranked 30th in net punting last year and the Raiders have undrafted rookie A.J. Cole in camp as competition.