Raiders filled some holes in free agency
There’s still work to be done in NFL Draft
The Raiders checked a lot of boxes during free agency, enough to get a clear picture of work that still needs to be done heading in to the NFL Draft.
Edge rusher? Check. Additional defensive push? Check. Help at wide receiver? Check.
Running back? Well, you can’t begrudge coach Jon Gruden his luxury item, parking a second running back in the garage along with Josh Jacobs. Never hurts to have an option in case of a flat tire.
The free agency period also meant the departures of center Rodney Hudson and guard Gabe Jackson, two productive but expensive mainstays along the offensive line.
And it is along that line, as well continuing to fortify a sorry 2020 defense with a free safety and an experienced cornerback and another option in the draft, where the Raiders need to add talent heading in to training camp in July.
Quarterbacks (4)
STARTER >> Derek Carr. BACKUPS >> Marcus Mariota, Nathan Peterman, Kyle Sloter OUTLOOK >> Going into his fourth year under Gruden, Carr is carved in stone as the starter and you couldn’t even scare up a good rumor this offseason sug
gesting otherwise. Mariota is back for a second season, healthier and more confident. Peterman is the guy who can operate the offense in the case of a calamity. Sloter aspires to Peterman’s job.
FEELING THE DRAFT >> Maybe a developmental project on Day 3, but the Raiders have other areas to upgrade.
Running backs (5)
STARTERS >> Josh Jacobs,
Alec Ingold (FB).
BACKUPS >> Kenyan Drake, Jalen Richard, Alec Ingold (FB) Theo Riddick OUTLOOK >> Jacobs is a vital component of a balanced attack (actually more of a run-first attack if the score dictates) but showed wear and tear in each of his first two seasons. Gruden believes Drake can provide a presence in both the running and passing games. Either Gruden has miscalculated Drake’s ability as more than a dumpoff receiver or Arizona did in his last stop. Richard’s use was a career-low last season and he’ll provide depth, as will Riddick. Ingold remains a valued blocker and special teams player as well as a being a budding leader. FEELING THE DRAFT >> Another body or two to compete with Richard and Riddick could arrive on Day 3 or as an undrafted free agent. After the signing of Drake to go along with Jacobs, the touches will already be scrutinized if both remain healthy.
Wide receivers (9)
STARTERS >> Henry Ruggs III, Bryan Edwards, Hunter Renfrow (slot).
BACKUPS >> John Brown, Willie Snead IV, Zay Jones, Marcell Ateman, Keelan Doss, Trey Quinn
OUTLOOK >> Whatever the confidence level in Ruggs and/or Edwards as Year 2 receivers who should actually get some off-season or training camp, it sure looks like the Raiders hedged their bets by adding Brown and Snead. Ideally, last year’s picks make quantum leaps. If not, there’s some insurance. Renfrow is the kind of slot receiver every team would love to have. Jones’ reported guarantee means he’s probably sticking around while Ateman, Doss and Quinn fight for scraps.
FEELING THE DRAFT >> It’s a difficult enough offense for a rookie to digest anyway. With two second-year premium picks to go along with a pair of capable veterans, it’s difficult to envision throwing a Day 1 or 2 draft pick into the mix unless he can return kicks and excel on special teams.
Tight ends (4)
STARTER >> Darren Waller. BACKUPS >> Foster Moreau, Derek Carrier, Nick Bowers, Nick O’Leary
OUTLOOK >> The Raiders have a No. 1 receiver. He just happens to be a “tight end,” although Waller can also be flexed, put in the backfield or lineup in the slot. Waller will remain Carr’s go-to with the theory being the wideouts as well as running backs (Drake?) will be productive and interchangeable. Moreau, with a full year to heal from a torn ACL and a year with Jason Witten, has the look of a starter on a lot of teams. Carrier’s special teams prowess and versatility got him another contract. Bowers and O’Leary move up if there’s an injury.
FEELING THE DRAFT >> Don’t rule out Gruden finding a Day 3 tight end he likes and keeping four on the roster as he did last year. Or he can do a nutty Gruden thing and trade up for Kyle Pitts to pair with Waller. He wouldn’t ... would he?
Offensive line (11)
STARTERS >> LT Kolton Miller, LG Richie Incognito, C Andre James, RG Denzelle Good, RT Brandon Parker.
BACKUPS >> C Nick Martin, G John Simpson, T Jaryd Smith-Jones, G Lester Cotton, T Kamaal Seymour, C-G Erik Magnuson OUTLOOK >> A gaping whole at right tackle and a paperthin look in terms of depth. James will get first crack at replacing Hudson, no small task, and Martin was signed in case he’s not ready. Good is more than capable of replacing Jackson, but it’s a big ask to depend on a 38-year-old starter in Incognito. On one hand, the coaches love him. On the other, the Raiders slashed his salary (and he accepted) so it’s not as if they’re brimming with confidence he’ll hold up. Ideally, Simpson steps up and challenges to start. Miller was extended at a Pro Bowl level. Parker has had three years to distinguish himself. Other than a couple of run-heavy games last season, it hasn’t happened. Smith-Jones, Cotton, Seymour and Magnuson are practice-squadlevel or fringe-on-the-53 type players.
FEELING THE DRAFT >> The Raiders at No. 17 can forget about Penei Sewell (Oregon) and probably Rashawn Slater (Northwestern) unless they move up. Both would be plug-and-play starters. Christian Darrisaw (Virginia Tech), Alijah Vera-Tucker (USC) are possibilities and a pair of college programs the Raiders admire have Day 2 possibilities in Jackson Carman (Clemson) and Alex Leatherwood (Alabama).
Defensive line (15)
STARTERS >> E Clelin Ferrell, T Johnathan Hankins, T Quinton Jefferson, E Yannick Ngakoue.
BACKUPS >> E Maxx Crosby, T Maurice Hurst, T Solomon Thomas, E Carl Nassib, E Arden Key, E-T Kendal Vickers, E-T Chris Smith, E David Irving, E Matt Dickerson, T Darius Philoh, T Niles Scott.
OUTLOOK >> Lots of substitution so the who starts and who doesn’t debate isn’t a big deal. Ferrell grades out well according to the Raiders but isn’t dominant as an edge rusher. That’s where Ngakoue comes in, along with Crosby. The interior push got a potentially big boost with Jefferson and Thomas joining Hurst as three techniques, with Hankins taking on extra blockers inside.
Nassib will need to play much better to avoid being labeled a free agent bust. Vickers was a pleasant surprise last season and versatile while Smith also played both outside and inside. Players such as Key, Philoh, Irving and Dickerson all have some intrigue in terms of skill set but will have to fight to stick. FEELING THE DRAFT >> With Ngakoue, Jefferson and Thomas aboard to join Crosby, the pressure to use the first pick on someone to push the pocket has lessened considerably. That doesn’t mean the Raiders won’t take one if a coveted edge player falls into their lap.
Linebackers (8)
STARTERS >> WLB Cory Littleton, MLB Nick Kwiatkoski, SLB Nicholas Morrow.
BACKUPS >> OLB Tanner Muse, OLB Javin White, MLB Asmar Bilal, OLB Gerri Green, OLB James Onwualu.
OUTLOOK >> The Raiders have financial commitments to Littleton, Kwiatkoski and Morrow which suggest they’ll all play prominent roles. The hope is Muse can make some progress on special teams and learn to play a linebacker after losing his rookie season to injury. White showed flashes as a weakside linebacker a year ago.
FEELING THE DRAFT >> You can find plenty of mock drafts with the Raiders taking a linebacker up high. The salary table suggests otherwise. Follow the money.
Cornerbacks (8)
STARTERS >> LCB Treyvon Mullen, RCB Damon Arnette, Amik Robertson (slot).
BACKUPS >> Isaiah Johnson, Nevin Lawson, Keisean Nixon, Kemah Siverand, Rashaan Gaulden
OUTLOOK >> The hope is Mullen develops into an upper tier cornerback in Year 3 with the help of an upgraded pass rush. Arnette had a rough rookie year after being a surprise firstround draft pick, battling injuries, concussions and generally erratic play. Robertson could end up starting the first two games with Lawson out on suspension so he needs a strong offseason and training camp. Johnson couldn’t capitalize on his big moment against the Chargers in terms of staying on the field. Nixon’s mission is ascend past being a core special teams player and emergency corner. Siverand and Gaulden face long odds.
FEELING THE DRAFT >> The Raiders are still in need of a cornerback who can play the ball in the air as well as play physically and you can expect at least one corner or two to arrive April 29-May 1.
Safeties (4)
STARTERS >> SS Johnathan Abram, FS Karl Joseph. BACKUPS >> Jeff Heath, Dallin Leavitt
Abram, in particular, needs to step up in a big way after losing his first season to injury and interspersing blown coverages, missed tackles and penalties with the occasional enthusiastic big hit. Joseph was actually having his best season as a Raider before a foot injury sidelined him after nine games in 2019. Heath had his moments last season (at Arrowhead against Kansas City) but is at his best with a smaller role and as a special teams player. Leavitt’s best work has been on special teams but he keeps doing enough to stick. FEELING THE DRAFT >> Neither Abram nor Joseph is the center fielder the Gus Bradley defensive system has required in the past. Trevon Moehrig of TCU was Mel Kiper Jr.’s pick for the Raiders in the first round.
Specialists (5)
K Daniel Carlson, P A.J. Cole, LS Trent Sieg, K Dominic Eberle, LS Liam McCullough
OUTLOOK >> Barring injury, it’s Carlson, Cole and Sieg for the foreseeable future. Eberle was kept around on practice squad so the Raiders could smoothly move in someone if Carlson were to be injured.
FEELING THE DRAFT >> Not likely.