Revamping defense is Job 1, other issues too
Offseason to-do list includes rush, coverage additions, solutions at right tackle, backup quarterback
Look no further than the most basic statistic in football to identify where the Las Vegas Raiders need to upgrade following an 8-8 season.
Points scored: 434. Pretty good.
Points allowed: 474: Beyond awful.
Those are your high- brow analytics for the Raiders’ offseason.
To be fair, the points allowed total includes three touchdowns scored by the opposing defense. And it’s still beyond awful.
Coach Jon Gruden was nonspecific at his season- ending press conference, but alluded to continuity in the secondary and pass rush both inside and outside. Gruden, along with general manager Mike Mayock, will be working overtime to shore up the worst Raiders’ defense in the Super Bowl era.
Defense is the biggest issue, but let’s face it — the Raiders knew their defense was poor when they were 6-3 and were helpless in the plunge to 8-8 because their offense had issues running the ball, scoring touchdowns in the red zone and with turnovers.
There defense needs an overhaul in terms of system, vision and personnel. The offense needs needs help as well.
Some areas which the Raiders have already begun studying closely with regard to 2021: 1. HIRE A DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR » Gruden said the Raiders were going to move “quickly. What little information there is on the process suggests they’re talking with assistants who either he or interim coordinator Rod Marinelli have had experience with. Gus Bradley, Kris
Richard, Joe Barry and Raheem Morris in particular.
Gruden has coached with all four. Richard, who has been a head coaching candidate before, took last year off rather
than accept a position coach position. Richard took over defensive play-calling for Marinelli while with the Dallas Cowboys in 2018.
The coordinator is only the
start. After giving up 478 points, the Raiders can be expected to make sweeping changes on the defensive staff after they identify their coordinator. Then they’ve got to hope there is some kind of off-season to implement changes in the system. In terms of the system, based on the names so far, expect a lot of Tampa 2 and Seattle Seahawks style of defense. Gruden said at his season- ending press conference he’s partial to a 4-3 defense as his base.
2. IDENTIFY ON EDGE RUSHER » There are no obvious Khalil Macks out there, so that name and the Raiders’ decision to trade him following the 2017 season will come up again. But the Raiders desperately need help outside for Maxx Crosby with Clelin Ferrell having the look of a two- down base end, Carl Nassib struggling as a free agent and Arden Key barely
getting a whiff of the quarterback in 2020.
Free agency may or may not include the Ravens’ Matt Judon, the Buccaneers’ Shaquil Barrett, the Ravens Yannick Ngakoue and the Rams’ Leonard Floyd. Barring a franchise tag or re-signing with their team, they could be on the market. And only Mark Davis knows if he’s got the
cash to reel in a big one.
The no- doubt- about-it edge player doesn’t appear to be available through the draft, either. More likely, that player will come midround — which is exactly where the Raiders are at No. 17. You’ll be hearing a lot soon about names such as Gregory Rousseau (Miami), Kwity Paye ( Michigan), Azeez Ojulari (Georgia) and Joseph Ossai ( Texas).
3. SECONDARY CONCERNS >> Receivers came in to the clear all season to a star
tling degree and when the Raiders had chances to make plays, it seldom happened. Both cornerback and safety were problems.
It’s imperative the Raiders, in the spirit of committing to a “draft and develop” strategy, get firstround picks Johnathan Abram (2019) and Damon Arnette (2020) up to speed. Trayvon Mullen, a second pick in 2019, had moments where he looks like the classic angular cover corner.
Coaching should help this area immensely, as
would a semblance of a pass rush (see second item). If the Raiders want to go the Jason Witten route, there would be no better player to put in the meeting room along with Abram, Arnette and Mullen than Richard Sherman, who seems resigned to leaving the 49ers.
Of course, Sherman would want to have to come to the Raiders and the Raiders would probably have to write a check bigger than what they’re comfortable with.