2019 Oakland Raiders Discussion

Waiting on Tyrell Williams signing. Would be huge. Would also mean no Nelson? Oakland would go from laughing stock at WR to two quality threats. Not sure Cook is coming back. Would target Hockenstein or Fant in the draft and save $.

 

Fixed...

Seriously, Carr has no excuses not to push the ball downfield unless the O-Line all of a sudden becomes a turnstile. We get Cook back...look out mother******s!

 

You know, Roberts would actually save more $ if he were let go.

 

I'd bet Mayock knows that...

 

No doubt.

 

Cook could be a Saint...so ya get a TE in the draft.

 

Raiders Transactions (Summary)
I'll keep updating this.

0. Denzelle Good 1, $1.675m
#0.1 Tender Daryl Worley $3.1m value.
#0.2 Tender Jalen Richard $3.1m value.
1. Trade 3rd and 5th rounder for Antonio Brown
2. Hankins re-signed
3. Harris re-signed
4. Osemele (and a 6th) traded for a 5th rounder
5. Trent Brown signed 4/66 (36.25 guaranteed)
6. LaMarcus Joyner signed 4/42 (21.3 guaranteed)
7. Jon Feliciano leaves
8. Tyrell Williams signed 4/44 (22 guaranteed)

 

What does Tyrell Williams do for the Raiders? Prior to the start of FA they had a positional score of 19 (atrocious). Brown bumped that to 19, with Nelson (10), Roberts (6), and Hatcher (3) leading the way. Brown (12.5) helped them to 28.5 with Nelson and Roberts. But Williams bumps Roberts down and increases their positional rating to 30.5. This is the equivalent of moving from a low F to a B.

Way too early projections:
Brown: 103 receptions, 1374 yards, 12 TDs
Nelson: 65 receptions, 739 yards, 4 TDs
Williams: 46 receptions, 746 yards, 5 TDs

 

Fantasy Draft - First Rounders
Quinnen Williams - D-line
Hockenson - TE
Greedy Williams CB or Jachai Polite LB

 

Raiders reportedly interested in Markus Golden, DE. He was excellent in his first two seasons, but since suffering a torn ACL, he's not nearly the same player. He started 11 games, picked up 2.5 sacks. That means that in the past two seasons, he has ten fewer sacks than he had in 2016, when he led the league with 12.5. I'll wait to hear more, but it's not an inspired pick if there's much $ involved.

 

Gone: AJ McCarron
Gone: Jordy Nelson

Interesting. One move saves $5m. The other saves $3.6m.

 

Decent Free Agent Edge Rushers
Benson Mayowa
Aaron Lynch
Brandon Copeland
Vinny Curry

None are great, but they’d all be good for another 7-10 hits on QB. Key (11) and Irvin (5) were the only Raiders with more than 4 last season. Mayowa and Lynch were top 32 at the spot, Copeland was 51, and Curry was 85th.

 

Per SI:

TYRELL WILLIAMS, WR
From: Los Angeles Chargers
To: Oakland Raiders
Contract: TBD

Breakdown: Now that we can view the Radiers’ offseason as an attempt at microwaving a rebuild that was never happening in the first place, it’s easier to look at this deal through a friendlier lens. New WR Antonio Brown cannot operate in a vacuum, and Oakland needs to upgrade its set of weapons around him. Williams will be able to take advantage of the single coverage, and he is good in traffic and, like Brown, smart when the play breaks down. It’s a good time to be Derek Carr, for sure.

Grade: C+

 

Agree...

 

Per NBC's The Bay Area

The Raiders made some huge moves over the last week. Coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock were aggressive in pursuit of players in their prime who can help the team now and through the Raiders’ transition to Las Vegas. They didn’t drop a few bucks. They spent big, handing out four contracts averaging eight figures per season.

They aren’t done yet, with a few needs left to fill with veteran talent and a few of their own to re-sign before shifting focus to a 2019 NFL draft in which they have four picks in the top 35 overall.

Let’s take a look at what the Raiders have done so far during the NFL free agency period, including one big trade:

WR Antonio Brown
Trades are all about what you got versus what you gave up. Gruden and Mayock didn’t fork over much for a four-time All-Pro receiver considered high among the game’s elite. Just a third-rounder and a fifth-round pick, in fast. The Raiders paid Brown some pretty pennies -- $50.125 million over three years, with $30 million guaranteed -- to go along with the trade, but standard production will make him worth the expense. Some say adding a nearly 31-year-old won’t help the Raiders’ long-term rebuilding project, that he might not be dominant when the Silver and Black are deep enough to compete for titles.

He makes the 2019 Raiders a lot better, a welcome turn after playing 2018 without Khalil Mack, Amari Cooper or trade return for them. He also gives the Raiders star power they can put on a billboard in Oakland and Las Vegas, something important as they relocate.

Brown aced his introductory press conference, promising to lead and set a new standard for his position group and the entire team. If that happens, the Raiders get an A-plus here. If he gets frustrated by losing more than he’s used to and becomes a distraction, the Raiders aren’t getting a good return on investment. There’s a strong belief Brown will continue producing for years, which is the most important factor in any deal.

Grade: B-plus

OT Trent Brown
Brown signed a four-year, $66 million contract with $36.75 million guaranteed, the largest ever for an NFL offensive tackle. The deal was complete less than 10 minutes after the free-agency negotiating window opened. It was, as Brown put it, and offer he couldn’t refuse. Can’t blame him for that.

Drafting and developing such premium positions is more cost effective, but it’s a crapshoot even with solid player vetting. The Raiders like 2018 first-round pick Kolton Miller, but were concerned enough about third-rounder Brandon Parker to make a bold move for Trent Brown.

That’s a ton of money for someone who isn’t even locked in to play left tackle. He and 2018 first-round pick Kolton Miller will bookend the offensive line for years, and Brown will look to continue last year’s excellent play, good enough to produce a record-breaking contract. Brown’s a good player, really good in fact. But, again, that’s a lot of money. Tough to live up to that contract.

Grade: C-plus

DB Lamarcus Joyner
The Raiders desperately needed help at free safety and a slot cornerback. Joyner fills both needs. He’s adept playing both and will switch between the two positions as a three-down player. The Raiders could still use another defensive back for depth, but he gives experience and leadership to an otherwise young secondary. He should compliment Karl Joseph on the back end, and provide speed a stability deep the Raiders haven’t had in years.

While $42 million over four years is a lot, the $16.7 million guaranteed goes quickly. It’s gone after a 2020 roster bonus, so the Raiders can cut bait after two years without dead money if the deal doesn’t work out. That allows the Raiders to maintain flexibility as they move forward and find the proper mix to play better defense.

Joyner’s the only new defender signed thus far – defense should be the focus of the NFL draft -- a real swing and miss for a unit that needs veteran leadership. Joyner was a good get, however, and should be a strong addition to the secondary.

Grade: A-minus

WR Tyrell Williams
The Raiders upgraded their receiver corps not once but twice in a week, adding Brown and this 6-foot-4 deep threat to the pattern. Gruden has a goal, to form the NFL’s best receiver corps. That group was devoid of talent last year, and pairing Brown and Williams provides a significant upgrade to the passing game. Williams is a gamer, someone who can play every receiver position if required. He has averaged nearly 16 yards per reception and having someone who can make big plays should further add a dynamic quality receiver to the offense.

He didn’t come cheap -- Williams signed a $44 million contract with $22 million guaranteed -- especially for someone who will be a clear-cut No. 2 receiver. He will benefit from the attention paid to Brown, offering plenty of single-coverage that could lead to solid and steady production.

Gruden likes big, consistent, smart receivers. Williams checks every box and should be a productive member of the Raiders' offense. He’s another free-agent signing who can help stabilize an offense that dropped off the map too often. Some may shudder at his contract when compared to his stats, but he capitalized on a weak free-agent receiver class and was able to charge top dollar. The Raiders had to pay the going rate for a good receiver.

Grade: A-minus

DT Johnathan Hankins
The Raiders came away impressed with Hankins, who signed on early during the 2018 regular season and made a real impact on the defensive interior. He’s a steady run stopper with pass-rush ability in his past. He fits in well with what the Raiders like to do at nose tackle, an important post that allows others to make plays.

Hankins came at a decent rate, for $8.5 million and $5.25 million guaranteed over two seasons, with most of the payout coming next year when the Raiders are in Las Vegas. He’s an important, albeit unheralded part of a defensive line rotation. Even though he’s retention wasn’t considered a big move, it’s an important one as the Raiders build depth on defense.

Grade: B

S Erik Harris
Harris is a solid special teams player who last year proved able to impact games on defense. Good teams need guys like that, who can play every down in the kicking game and fill in specific roles or larger ones as a reserve without missing a beat.

The Raiders secured Harris for two seasons instead of letting him test restricted free agency this year or unrestricted free agency in 2020. He also saw safety depth in this free agent class and jumped at the opportunity for more security than a one-year tender.

If the Raiders don’t add a safety in the draft, Harris could fill in at free safety when Joyner moves into the slot. Gruden loves Harris and has no problem rewarding special teams leaders. He’ll play important roles this year.

Grade: A-minus

 

AFC West related news:

Per SI:

1. Ja’Wuan James, RT, Broncos – 4 years, $32M guaranteed

Privately, some people close to the Dolphins waited to see who signed James with the same eager anticipation with which you wait to see who sits on the seat with the whoopie cushion. They believe a rude surprise awaits that GM. Turns out the GM is John Elway. He won’t hear the whoopie cushion until later down the road, but the Dolphins are already laughing. You can understand why Elway made the move; right tackles are hard to find, and playing with a bad one can significantly hinder your scheme. But the belief by some in Miami was that other teams wouldn’t know just how much energy was spent each week gameplanning ways to hide and help James. He’s not quick or nimble enough to get out in space in the screen game, and he’s prone to breakdowns (both physical and mental) in pass protection.

Raider edge rushers approve of this message. Kudos to Mr. Ed...

 

I have a lot to write about tonight. Penn released.

 

Gone: Donald Penn
Saves Oakland $5.4m
Impact: It helps financially, and Penn wasn't good last year. He graded out worse than nearly everyone on Oakland's roster at 47 on PFF. With Hudson-Jackson-Miller-Brown-Parker, the OL is at 53.5/75, a C-. It's not bad.

Gone: AJ McCarron
Saves Oakland $5m.
Impact: Ideally none. Peterman or someone else will back up Carr, and no backup will have to suit up if things go well.

Back: Chaz Green
Details unknown
Impact: He was horrible, at 34.5 on PFF, and even in his best season (2017), he wasn't all that good. So, hopefully he's not being asked to start.

IN: Josh Mauro
1 year, $1.4m
In 270 snaps last season, he hit the QB only once. Still, he posted a 66.8 overall rating, which would have been tops on the Raiders' front last season.
Impact: He gives the Raiders a second starter, at least for the moment, raising the positional score from a low F to a high F. He's solid in the run game, but the Raiders have to add another rusher. Remember: Key is the other DE, and I think he's a player most likely to improve next season.

Out: Jordy Nelson
He saves the Raiders $3m.
Impact: Nelson did turn it on a bit last year at the end of the season, finishing 47th overall at WR. Over the final 5 games of the season, he trended 122 receptions, 1235 yards, but 0 TDs. Cutting him drops the WR score from 30.5 to 26.5.

IN: JJ Nelson
1 year, $1m
Impact: Hard to say. Nelson's 48.9 rating would have been worse than every Raider last season. He did have a solid 2016 and 2017, but he wasn't in Arizona's plans for 2018. He has posted interesting deep-threat numbers (via PFF), but it's hard to say if he's better than Roberts. I don't think he moves the needle at WR.