2019 Oakland Raiders Discussion

...J-e-t-s, Jets, Jets, Jets release WR Brandon Marshall. Thought about him as our slot receiver if Roberts goes elsewhere as well as Holmes. Then read that him and Patriots have "mutual interest" that thing. Oh well...as long as he does not go to any of our division rivals.

 

Lost two special teamers. Bummer, but at too steep a price.
Lost Malcolm Smith. That's okay.
Lost McGee. He was solid, but I didn't hear the deal.
Likely losing LTM.

How about some good news? We're "in the mix" to re-sign Holmes.

 

I don't anticipate any "splashy" signings... Looking forward more to the draft.

 

Raiders tendered exclusive rights free agents WR Seth Roberts, OL Denver Kirkland and TE Gabe Holmes.

 

Agreed. I've read that we'll add some bargain depth on D.

 

DJ Hayden gone to Detroit. Sigh. He's an enigma.

Oakland has eight remaining free agents as of Friday morning: RB Latavius Murray, S Nate Allen, QB Matt McGloin, WR Andre Holmes, T Menelik Watson, LB Perry Riley, TE Mychal Rivera and LS Jon Condo. Allen reportedly is set to visit with the Dolphins.

LTM - likely gone.
Allen - likely gone.
McGloin - likely gone.
Watson - likely gone.

After that, it's hard to say. Can we afford to lose Condo?

 

Bring Riley back. Martellus Bennett for Rivera? I don't want to lose Condo. Visions of that San Diego nightmare...

LTM - likely gone. Peterson? McCaffrey if he's still around. Rich man's Danny Woodhead.
Allen - likely gone. Draft or McGill in his place...
McGloin - likely gone. Connor Cook
Watson - likely gone. Draft

 

Watson to Denver.
Allen likely to Miami.

 

Raiders sign Marshall Newhouse, OT, to a two-year deal. Not sure of the amount at present; possibly $3.25M total.
Newhouse has put together three excellent seasons, along with three far less impressive seasons. He has averaged about 5 AVR over the last three seasons after hitting 9+ in two of his first three seasons.
His PFF rating is 69.4 in 524 snaps. Menelik Watson was a 49.4, so if this is what that's replacing, it's a massive upgrade.

Newhouse should back up Howard, and he should do it well.

 

I would like to have kept Watson though he was often injured. Maybe he'll give up several sacks to us. Instead we have Howard who's been below average.

OT Marshall Newhouse was signed. Looks to be a solid player.

 

Howard and Newhouse should be decent. I think Watson has great potential, but he's always hurt, and I think it's not only decreased his ceiling; it's also taken a lot of practice time away from him. He's been in the league for 4 years, but he's played only 27 games.

 

Murray could end up a Jaguar on Tuesday. If he does, I wouldn't be surprised if we draft a bell cow back to replace him. Murray is visiting Seattle on Monday but I believe the Seahawks reached an agreement with Jamaal Charles.

 

We haves a new KR...Cordarrelle Patterson.

 

Not just a WR - his kickoff return numbers are earth-shattering.

134 career returns, 5 TDs, 30.4 yards per return. He's led the league in return average three of the last four years.

 

I think this probably means Holmes is gone, which is a shame. I'd rather keep Holmes than Roberts. Holmes is a great gunner, an awesome blocker. Roberts has a knack for the big play, but he doesn't contribute outside the passing game, and he drops a lot of balls.

 

There's speculation Patterson will play outside with Cooper sliding over to the slot... He'd put the vertical in the passing game. Somewhere Al Davis could be smiling.

 

By adding Cordarrelle Patterson, the Raiders have the 8th, 20th, and 67th ranked WRs on Pro Football Focus's list. Cooper is top 10 in the league, Crabtree is the #2 ranked WR2, and Patterson is (roughly) top 10 in the league as a WR3.

This move also allows the Raiders to have the top ranked KO returner in the league over the past four seasons. Patterson's 4075 are the most during that span by 800 yards - over Devin Hester. His 30.4 yards per return is second, behind Kenyan Drak who has only 13 career returns. And among players with at least 50 returns, he's more than 2 yards ahead of his closest competition (Jacoby Jones). Increasing it to a minimum of 100 returns, he's more than 3 yards above the competition. His 5 KOR TDs is nearly as many as the next three dudes on the list. No one in the league has more than 2 KOR TDs in the last three seasons.