2019 Oakland Raiders Discussion

Not ready for prime time...growing pains...learning on the fly. Looking forward to the draft. We're getting there.

 

With the 14th pick in the first round, the Oakland Raiders select...

 

Oakland is one of four teams to file a petition to relocate to LA.

 

Early looks at the draft:

Draft Site.com: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
SB Nation: Su'a Cravens, S/LB, Southern Cal
Fox Sports: Su'a Cravens, S/LB, Southern Cal
Fansided.com: Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
CBS Sports: Reggie Ragland, MLB, Alabama
Walter Football: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
Bleacher Report: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
Music City Miracles.com: Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
Drafttek.com: Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU

Early Consensus: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame

I'd be pretty ecstatic about that. He suffered some sort of lower leg/knee injury during their bowl game. It was serious.

 

I really hope this happens. I didn't watch the NFL as a kid like I do now, but I did watch some with both my grandfathers and my father. The Raiders have been the team I rooted for since they were in LA. I also wouldn't mind the Rams coming back, I went to some of their games as a kid at Anaheim Stadium, and they are my grandfather's team, as he was born and raised in Missouri so even after they left LA he still considered them a home team. San Diego can keep the Chargers though.

 

I want the Rams to come back... Keep everyone else in the same spot.

 

ROOKIE RETROSPECTIVE: AMARI COOPER

I had Amari penciled in as an adequate starter. He's already more. Even slowed by injuries, he topped 70 receptions and 1000 yards. I'd put him at five stars right now, going into season two.

Is he the best WR since Tim Brown already? His rookie season was better than any season by another WR since Brown left, including Moss's best season with Oakland.

Draft Grade: A

 

ROOKIE RETROSPECTIVE: MARIO EDWARDS JR.

Mario Edwards surprised me. He ended up playing in 14 games, starting 10 of them, and showing that he's already an adequate starter. He's dealing with a potentially serious injury, so assuming he returns healthy, what a haul the Raiders picked up with their first two picks.

Run stuffing? Yes, but Edwards also showed some facility at applying pressure to the QB, too. He could be a three-down player for a long time in Oakland.

Draft Grade: A

 

ROOKIE RETROSPECTIVE: CLIVE WALFORD

Walford dealt with injury early, and it seemed to slow his development. Plus, he's a TE; they take time to acclimate to the NFL game. Still, he finished the season at at least that Spot Starter level, and I see him as the Raiders' best TE going forward. He's already at the 3.5 star rating, and he could be a four-star player, maybe 4.5, in time.

The numbers look pretty tame: 28 receptions, 329 yards, and 3 TDs. But those were the best or second best numbers of any TE in the daft (depending upon whether you think Devin Funchess is a TE). After a slow start, over the final eight games of the season, Walford trended at 40 receptions, 470 yards. Any way you slice it, Walford is a promising TE prospect coming off a solid season.

Draft Grade: B+

 

Things get a bit trickier later on I'll do more later.

 

- Agree on the Cooper analysis...though there's a stat where he had 18 dropsies. His foot injury slowed him down the last four games or so. Now he will draw even more attention so he has to adjust. It's OK as we have Crabtree and Roberts so that they don't focus on him solely.

-Edwards was said to be a so-so pick but he has been productive. What would have been if he and Smith were there more so Mack could have done more damage. I do hope his neck problem isn't serious as well. The organization has been mum on it so...

-Walford has speed, soft hands and is huge. He reminds me of Ben Coates. Not as shifty as a Gates but more of an in-line runner. Really intriguing potential.

-We can never have enough O-linemen. The defensive backfield needs help and another or two dual sided linebacker is paramount.

-D-lineman Autry wants to come back and not go anywhere else. Yep, a new culture is being developed.

...looking forward to the rest of your write-ups.

So...you, me, Puff and pound are THE Raider convo here. Didn't know Weez was one too. Cool.

 

Oakland and Buffalo are candidates for the Hard Knocks program? I'd rather not see us in it. Bad omen followed those teams that were featured. Kind of like the Madden game cover jinx... Besides I want us to progress quietly...start knocking other teams on their behinds which is all the notice we need to serve. Buffalo is the better story with Ryan anyway.

 

Mack... First Team All-Pro at OLB and DE.

 

"Oakland's Mack becomes the first player in NFL history to make the team at two positions. He talked all offseason about wanting to improve as a pass-rusher and delivered in full with an outrageous 15 takedowns, second only to Watt. Houston's defensive terror, meanwhile, lit up opponents with 17.5 takedowns. No player can equal Watt in terms of single-handedly blowing up a game plan. Right tackles see him in their nightmares, as they should: Watt is the greatest pass-rusher to hit the scene since Lawrence Taylor."

 

Jerry Jones does not want the Raiders to move... Fine by me.