2019 Oakland Raiders Discussion

Raider Upgrades

LB
Raiders lose Curtis Lofton, who was unranked on NFL.com. They replace him with Bruce Irvin, the 5th overall Free Agent, according to NFL.com

Lofton posted a 33.7 rating on Pro Football Focus. Irvin posted a 78.0 in 819 snaps. Lofton was coming off a pretty impressive streak of six seasons with a 7+ Added Value (averaging nearly 8 per season) heading into 2014. He posted a 7 with New Orleans. He then lost his starting job because of his inability to cover, saw his AV slip to a career low 5 (with 1.0 sack and 64 tackles). At 28, Irvin brings more youth, an average of 7.7 AV over the past three seasons, and 5.5 sacks per season over his four-year career. He posted 38 total tackles last season. While he's not as durable as Lofton, he's a massive upgrade in terms of coverage and pressure.
Irvin should be able to do the things Lofton could do - but better. He can also do things Lofton couldn't do.

FS
Someone has the unenviable task of taking over for Charles Woodson. While Woodson didn't make the NFL's top 100 rankings (perhaps because he was retiring), Reggie Nelson appeared at 22nd on the list. Woodson's 79 rating on PFF was excellent, but Nelson posted an 84.2 rating in 1092 snaps.

Woodson was an iron man, starting all 38 games for the Raiders over the past three seasons, totaling 23 AV, 7 fumble recovers, and 10 INTs. Though long in the tooth, Nelson is seven years younger than Woodson. He's also coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance. His numbers compare favorably to Woodson's: 26 AV over the past three, 5 recoveries, and 14 INTs. He missed only one game over the past three seasons.
If there is someone to replace Woodson's big play capacity and on the field leadership, Nelson is a strong candidate.

OG
J'Marcus Webb wasn't ranked on NFL.com's list of the top 100 FAs. He is replaced by Kelechi Osemele, the third overall FA on that same list.

The 27 year-old Webb has posted an average of 3.0 AV over his six year career, but this is due in part to an inability to stay on the field. In 2013 and 2014, he plaeyd a total of 9 games, posting a combined 1.0 AV. Last year he was much better, boasting a 7 AV. Osemele is a year younger than Webb, and he has averaged 5.8 AV over his four seasons, including 6.5 over the past two.

According to PFF, Webb struggled mightily, posting a 44.6 rating. Osemele nearly doubled him up, finishing at 79.6.
Osemele is a huge upgrade to the offensive line.

CB
It's not clear yet who Sean Smith will replace, but Taylor Mays left the Raiders, but none of Oakland's DBs are on the top 100 free agents list at NFL.com. Sean Smith is 14th overall.

Taylor Mays, recently departed, has never posted an AV above 3, and he has been stuck between 1 and 2 for the past five seasons. He started 5 games for Oakland last season, defending a career high 5 passes. Sean Smith has never posted an AV below 3, and he hasn't been below 5 over the past five seasons. Last year, he started 13 games, picked off 2 passes, and defended 12 passes.

Mays finished at 64.6 on PFF, but Smith was at 83.8, making him the highest rated CB free agent. In fact, the only Free Agent DBs ahead of him were Reggie Nelson (his new teammate) and Rodney McLeod.
This marks another huge upgrade for Oakland.

 

Stanford QB Kevin Hogan visiting Oakland... Second coming of Jeff Hostetler?

 

I don't want to see us spend a pick on a QB. We have a decent backup and a young stud.

 

Agree... Linemen [both sides], linebackers, safeties... I see McGloin ending up as a coach someday. He does pore over a playbook and has even suggested some to the staff. Seems to happen to backups.

 

I think we'll snatch a WR, too, but the trenches, LB, and DB is where I want us looking. If Elliott is available, gobble him up.

 

We could but other than Elliott, Henry and Booker. I am not aware of any good ones that could be available in the later rounds. Paul Perkins?

 

Been thinking about the draft. We're in incredibly good shape. Here are some thoughts on the selections we have:

1st Round
Take the best available. Here are some possibilities:
Leonard Floyd OLB
Will Fuller WR, Notre Dame
William Jackson CB, Houston
Shaq Lawson DE
Reggie Ragland OLB
Jarran Reed DT, Alabama
Ronnie Stanley OT, NOtre Dame

2nd Round
Emmanuel Ogbah DE, Oklahoma State
Jonathan Bullard DT
Josh Garnett OG, Alabama
Su'a Cravens LB
Darian Thompson FS

3rd Round
Christian Westerman
6'3" 298#
OG Arizona State
--We can get a longterm starter here. Let's do it.

4th Round
Paul Perkins
5'10" 208*
RB UCLA
--Could contribute immediately as a change of pace back, could be seriously involved in the passing game. Chance to do all the things Helu couldn't manage last season.

5th Round
Maliek Collins
6'2" 311
DT Nebraska
In the right scheme, could be a solid pass rusher and run stopper. Out of the ideal scheme, could be a solid backup for years to come.

Sheldon Day
6'1"/293#
DT Notre Dame
Could develop into a decent NFL starter, and there's no reason why he cannot be involved from early on, like Mario Edwards. Probably not as good as Edwards, either now or as at their ceilings, but he's a disruptive player.
--We have two picks in the 5th. I don't mind spending them both in the defensive trenches. If we choose a DL earlier in the draft, then there are some other interesting prospects to look at.

The fact is here that this round 3-5 set of selections squares us away at all our major positions of need except for DB. I think we go DB, LB, DE, or OL in the first two rounds.

 

http://justblogbaby.com/2016/04/14/derek-carr-honors-kobe-bryant-following-final-game/

Derek Carr

✔ ‎@derekcarrqb


Kobe... Please take EVERY shot.. That is all. #MambaDay

7:25 PM - 13 Apr 2016

 

Don't understand it either... Titans might have pulled off a heist. Multiple picks can fortify a team real quick.

 

^Good. Build toughness and learn to play early in the season...

 

It was very exciting, but ultimately I think it's a huge mistake. They're overreaching by a wide, wide margin for Goff or Wentz. They still need a receiver, any kind of receiver. Everyone needs O-linemen. Their secondary I'm not in love with... Huge, risky move. I hope it works for them.

There's also a rumor that they could then unload Keenum for a later pick. Hooray.

 

It wasn't too long ago when Foles was St. Nick in Philly... He's regression has been surprising.

 

Foles is just... not good. His only value is coming with that pick which they're now wasting to get to a QB. Weird. They said the Rams wanted to make this move no matter what city they play in, but this really feels like an attention grab for the new market. Flashy LA type of move.