Official Las Vegas Raiders Thread

Well, it's official. Just win, baby.

 

Perfect pairing of city and team. I hope it works out and the Raiders are permanent in their new home.

 

Sigh (Oakland-L.A. all my life)...now it begins. Yep, a new beginning and to write a new chapter.

 

OFFENSIVE LINE Current Grade: (55/75) C
The OL stepped up its game, big time. This was driven by the acquisition of a high-pay Free Agent (Trent Brown) and a gamble in Richie Incognito. But there was internal improvement as well, as Kolton Miller elevated his game and both Denzelle Good and David Sharpe turned in solid performances. Anchoring the line was the reliably excellent Hudson.

The Raiders have some depth, too, as Jackson was also decent despite injuries and, though some of the young player struggled, Parker and James offer some promise.

On the Roster (2019)
Trent Brown, Lester Cotton, Jordan Devey, Denzelle Good, Rodney Hudson, Cameron Hunt**, Richie Incognito, Gabe Jackson, Andre James, Kyle Kalis*, Eric Magnuson*, Kolton Miller, Brandon Parker, David Sharpe.

Under Contract (2020+)
Brown, Good, Hudson, Incognito, Jackson, James, Kalis, Magnuson, Miller, Parker, Sharpe

Positional Strength
C: The Raiders received borderline passing grades from seven linemen. Three of them (Hudson, Brown, and Incognito) were convincingly in the C+ to A range. Another step from Miller or Sharpe, and they’ll be in the C range, too.

Recommendation
Las Vegas faces a possibly challenging decision with Jackson. His salary isn’t outrageous, but surely they’d prefer him to restructure for a lower guarantee. Aside from that, they’ve already reupped Incognito and Good – both strong moves. They will likely move on from most of their Free Agent OL who aren’t signed at present, but they’ve put some reserve/future players under their protection for the short term. Magnuson might be a fit from that group.

It would be no shock if the Raiders add an OL later in the draft. They’ve done well with both prospect players and adequate floor players (like Parker) who can step on the field day 1, not embarrass themselves, but will never be good NFL players. With the core of the group intact, that’s good enough. Incognito’s age and the financial commitment they have in the OL likely means that any improvements will be via the draft though.

*This is the positional strength indicator, based on players under contract for 2019.

**Practice Squad

 

The OL was a 45/75 last year, so kudos to Gruden, Mayock, and Cable for making those improvements.

 

Brandon Parker was a turnstile... I still have some faith in Jackson who suited up despite not being fully healthy.

 

I don’t see a high ceiling for Parker. He might be close to what he can be.

 

Walter Football's two writers ended up with the #1 and #2 most accurate mock drafts last year, after finishing (I believe) in the top 5 the year prior. Here are their takes:

1.12: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Comparison: Allen Robinson, whose 6-year career has shown 60 receptions for 800 yards and 5.5 TDs. Minus 2017, the averages are 70 receptions, 940 yards, and 6.5 TDs.

1.19: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Comparison: Thomas Davis - solid from age 23 to 25, elite from 30 to 34. A solid career with three PBs, one all-pro, and over 1200 tackles.

Quick Thoughts
Position of need? Check.
Good pick? Check.
Fit? Check.

Lamb would elevate the WR position in a hurry, and Murray would at least be an improvement to the weakest link on D.

 

@trodgers SI has us picking Jeudy and Murray... Saw Jeudy against Michigan, came away impressed.

Still perplexed that Buckner was let go but Marinelli is proven and can be a replacement for Guenther if we have to cross that bridge.

 

This is a hilarious look at the two WRs.



I like Buckner, but almost everyone I'm seeing agrees with that take. Marinelli is probably bettter than Buckner now at DL, and he's a better DC than Guenther. Sucks for Buckner, but he'll get a job quick.

 

Last two seasons:

Lamb: 127 receptions, 2485 yards, 25 TDs
Jeudy: 145 receptions, 2478 yards, 25 TDs

Both are upgrades over our WRs.

 

So...now a theory OUT THERE that Burfict caused Antonio Brown's mental instability after that concussion inducing blow in a Steeler-Bengal playoff game?

 

Thinking about some recent rumors.

WIDE RECEIVER
Suppose the Raiders sign Robby Anderson to a deal similar to Tyrell Williams's.

Then they draft CeeDee Lamb at 12.

WR Depth Chart
Anderson
Williams
Lamb
Renfrow

It's a chunk of change to sink into the position, but for $30m, that would be set for the next few years.

I'd honestly feel good about QB, RB, WR, TE, and OL - the whole offense.

LINEBACKER
It would be time to turn to the defense. I'm hoping LV (that's weird) will shy away from the type of FA signing they've had the last few years. The Joyner deal looks bad, for instance, and Whitehead's deal looks foolish.

Draft the Oklahoma LB in the first round, add Patrick Onwuasor (for cheap) or Jamie Collins (for more), and that position is set.

Then DBs are all that remain.

 

Walter Football has updated...

1.19: Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
3.80: Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington
3.81: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
3.90: Anfernee Jennings, LB, Alabama

If Oakland goes with two LBs in the first five picks, they can probably move the needle on that spot significantly. To be frank, they were horrific, with Burfict posting their best positional grade at LB despite his inability to cover. Compton might be a solid backer going forward, but he's a FA. Slot in Simmons and Jennings, and they could be competitive - with usual rookie lapses.

 

Richard re-upped.

 

Post Combine Draft from Walter Football
1.12 Jerry Jeudy WR
1.19 Kenneth Murray LB
3.80 Levi Onwuzurike DT
3.81 Kristian Fulton CB
3.90 Anfernee Jennings LB

Jeudy had a so-so combine, but he seems legit. He'd be an immediate upgrade at WR, a position of need.

Murray destroyed the competition, and Al Davis would be salivating. His physical comparison is Demario Davis, a recent Pro Bowler who has been steady at LB for the Jets, Browns, and Patriots. Big upgrade at one of the greatest positions of need.

Fulton posted a decent but unimpressive combine. His physical comparison is Raysean Pringle, which doesn't set the world on fire. To be fair, his numbers are mostly better than Pringle's and he's bigger, too. A position where LV could really use an upgrade.

The others' profiles haven't been updated on Player Profiler yet - or they weren't at the Combine. But some of them will have Pro Days coming up. Onwuzurike is returning to Washington, so that pick won't work. Jennings's comparable is Kyle Van Noy. It took KVN three seasons to make an impact, but he's been excellent for New England, racking up 32 AV in 51 games, including 10+ the past two seasons. If Jennings can get there, he's another massive upgrade at a position of need.