Official Las Vegas Raiders Thread

Discussion in 'Other Sports Discussion' started by trodgers, Jan 17, 2020.

  1. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    Jakorian Bennett
    Comparisons: L'Jarius Sneed, Jamel Dean
    Sneed has three seasons, 41 games, 38 starts, and 14 AV and counting. Dean has four seasons, 57 games, 38 starts, and 15 AV and counting. Both are rotational players to average starters.

    What he is now: Possibly a nickel.

    What he could be: Nickel or CB.

    Biggest Strength: It seems his versability - could play Nickel, could be elsewhere as a CB.

    Biggest question: Can he clean up his footwork and his hand technique (flagged 13 times last season)?

    Big stat: On 54 targets, allowed only 24 completions for 0 TD and 2 INT - passer rating of 47.5.

    Rookie Thoughts: The Raiders are assembling a lot of decent DBs. Bennett fits in there, but it will be hard to distinguish himself.
     
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  2. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    Aidan O'Connor

    Comparisons: Honestly, I can't find any.

    What he is now: A locker room guy.

    What he could be: Average backup.

    Biggest Strength: Mechanics.

    Biggest question: Does he have enough in other areas to make up for his utter lack of athleticism?

    Big stat: He won 17 games at QB over his final two seasons at Purdue, the most in a two-season span since Drew Brees's teams won 18.

    Rookie Thoughts: There is no great backup option on roster at present, and Garoppolo is not the most durable guy, so O'Connor might have a really nice opportunity to learn the game with high reps in practice and some game time.
     
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  3. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    Jakorian Bennett
    Comparisons: L'Jarius Sneed, Jamel Dean
    Sneed has three seasons, 41 games, 38 starts, and 14 AV and counting. Dean has four seasons, 57 games, 38 starts, and 15 AV and counting. Both are rotational players to average starters.

    What he is now: Possibly a nickel.
    What he could be: Nickel or CB.

    Biggest Strength: It seems his versability - could play Nickel, could be elsewhere as a CB.
    Biggest question: Can he clean up his footwork and his hand technique (flagged 13 times last season)?

    Big stat: On 54 targets, allowed only 24 completions for 0 TD and 2 INT - passer rating of 47.5.

    Rookie Thoughts: The Raiders are assembling a lot of decent DBs. Bennett fits in there, but it will be hard to distinguish himself.


    5 35 (170) Christopher Smith DB Georgia Bulldogs 5'11" 195
    Comparison: Johnathan Abram
    This one might bother Raiders fans. Abram simply couldn't get it done with the Raiders, and he hasn't had much success since leaving the team either.

    What he is now: Special Teamer, cover guy
    What he could be: Flexible Safety/Nickel

    Biggest Strength: Processing ability, which is a plus.
    Biggest Question: Can he tackle well enough to earn reps at DB?

    Big Stat: 6 INTs, 9 PD, 6 TFL over final two seasons.

    Rookie Thoughts: He had three successful years at Georgia, he gets himself into the right position a lot, but if he tries tackling NFL players at the shoulders like he does on tape, he's going to find it hard to earn snaps.

    6 26 (203) Amari Burney LB Florida Gators 6'2" 228
    Comparison: I don't know. In terms of size/speed, Quay Walker, Patrick Queen, and Brian Cole are close. Walker had a big rookie season, with 16 starts, 121 tackles, and 7 AV, but he was a first rounder. Queen had a similar trajectory, but he was also a first rounder. Cole was a 7th rounder, and he didn't play as a rookie.

    What he is now: Special Teamer
    What he could be: 1-gap linebacker

    Biggest Strength: Size/Speed
    Biggest Question: Can he cover well enough to stay on the field?

    Big stat: his size and speed combo is pretty interesting - 6'2, 230ish, and a 4.51.

    Rookie Thoughts: He's made for special teams as a rookie.

    7 14 (231) Nesta Jade Silvera DT Arizona State Sun Devils 6'2" 306
    Comparison: Rashard Lawrence
    -has started 13 games over three seasons, totaling 6 AV.

    What he is now: Can take snaps as Nose in the 4-3
    What he could be: 2 down interior defender

    Biggest Strength: Gap plugging.
    Biggest Weakness: unsportsmanlike penalties? I think I saw he was flagged for double digits. That seems crazy.

    Big Stat: 18 TFL over final three seasons

    Rookie Thoughts: He has a chance to assert himself as a two-down player, even as a rookie.
     
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  4. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    Raiders' Rookies on Depth Chart with Stars.

    QB
    Garropolo 74
    O'Connell 48*

    WR
    Adams 90
    Meyers 78
    Tucker 64*
    Renfrow 63
    Dorsett 61

    TE
    Mayer 71*
    Hooper 70
    Howard 55

    DI
    Nichols 69
    Young 60*
    Tillery 57
    Jenkins 54
    Silvera 48*
    Farrell 37
    Butler 35

    DE
    Crosby 95
    Jones 74
    Willis 69*

    Safety
    Epps 75
    Moehrig 70
    Johnson 49
    Smith 44*

    CB
    Robertson 71
    Shelley 70
    Hobbs 69
    Bennett 65*
    Hall 63


    Quick Hitters - UDFA
    OG McClendon Curtis, Chattanooga
    6'6" 324
    Comparable: Kelechi Osemele (!), DJ Fluker(!)
    Thoughts: Impressive comparables. Big, slow, G or T. Was graded round 5-7.
    Verdict: Practice Squad Candidate

    OL Dalton Wagner, Arkansas
    6'8" 320
    Comparable: Jake Curhan
    Thoughts: Huge, lots of experience, slow and struggles in pass Protection.
    Verdict: Practice Squad Candidate.

    Edge Brock Martin OKSU
    6'3" 243
    Comparable: ?
    Thoughts: Lacks the size/speed for an Edge Rusher
    Verdict: Possible Special Teamer

    CB Azizi Hearns UCLA
    6' 204
    Comparable: ?
    Thoughts: Probably can't cover well enough for CB, tackles too high for S
    Verdict: Probably doesn't make it.

    LB Drake Thomas NCSU
    5'11" 223
    Comparable: ?
    Thoughts: He looks like an undersized, underathletic gamer. Reminds me a bit of Ben Heeney.
    Verdict: POssible Special Teamer
    His tape is fun:

    Edge George Tarlas Boise State
    6'3" 255
    Comparable: ?
    Thoughts: Moved from Greece to the US, limited football time, and coming off hip surgery in October(?)
    Verdict: Not likely, but he's easy to root for.

    S Jaydon Grant Oregon State
    6' 181
    Comparable: ?
    Thoughts: Agile, allowed a Passer Rating of 78.7 in 2020, 95.1 in 2021, and just 45.3 in 2022.
    Verdict: He's almost 25, but the Raiders aren't exactly overwhelming at DB. Long shot.

    DE Adam Plant UNLV
    6'5" 255
    4.75 40.13.5 TFL and 8 sacks last season.
    Vedict: Not likely.

    DB Jordan Perryman Washington
    6' 200
    Good size.

    TE John Samuel Shenker Auburn
     
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  5. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    OUT
    DE Kyle Peko
    LB Darius Harris
    WR DJ Turner

    Not sure any of these guys were going to make an impact this season.

    I'll have some thoughts on new guys and rookies soon.
     
  6. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    DE Tyree Wilson DNP
    TE Michael Mayer DNP
    DI Byron Young DNP
    DB Chris Smith DNP


    WR Tre Tucker
    Caught 1 of 3 passes for 15 yards, rushed once for three yards, and had a kickoff return for 25 yards.

    DB Jakorian Bennett
    Picked up two tackles.

    QB Aidan O'Connell
    Earned an 85+ PFF grade, by completing 83% of his passes for 141 yards, a TD, and 0 INT. He also ran for 7 yards on two carries. That's new. He never had positive rushing yards in a college season.

    LB Amari Burney
    Dude filled the stat sheet with 3 solo tackles, a sack, a pass defended.

    DI Nesta Jade Silvera
    2 tackles

    UDFA
    Azizi Hearn - 8 tackles.
    Drake Thomas - 3 tackles, 1 TFL.
    George Tarlas - 1 tackle
    Jayton Grant - 1 tackle
    Adam Plant - 2 tackles
     
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  7. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    I haven't seen the whole game yet, but O'Connell (obviously) stood out. He looked great, honestly. Azizi Hearn had a hand in a turnover or near turnover (reviewed and overturned?), I think. I'm just remembering hearing his name called on a play like that. I'll watch more and get back.

    What did you guys think about the preseason game?
     
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  8. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    Tempered expectations if any... TBD.
     
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  9. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    Way too early? Probably. Here are some win projections for the 2023 season.

    Chiefs 13 wins
    Chargers 9.5 wins
    Raiders 8 wins
    Broncos 6.5 wins

    I'll update these as the preseason goes on and rosters settle. But nothing here seems wildly off.
     
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  10. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    - O'Connell looks poised, decisive and on point. Looking forward to him on Saturday.
    - Tucker looks like Ruggs stature wise but with the dropsies. No biggie as even Cliff Branch had those early on.
    - I like Cole Sr at WR but he might not make the cut.
    - White does not have the shiftiness or make 'em miss quality of Jacobs but does hit the lanes with power.
    - McCormick is an adequate back let's see if what he does with more touches. I like Brown more however.
    - Fotheringham over Hooper?
    - Trojan picking on a Bruin with Darnold on Hearn.
    - our linebackers are small but fast.
    - Jenkins looked good. Depth inside our D-line.
    - Koonce lost in the shuffle but could still make an impact.
    - Pola-Mao at Safety could be a good find though not enough action at this point.
    - our P/K aces with Cole/Carlson business as usual.
    - still not sold on McDaniels inspite of his coachspeak.
     
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  11. puffyusaf#2

    puffyusaf#2 - Lakers Starter -

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    I think the kid looked good running the offense. Too much hype for one preseason game (but thats what media does) but his passes were sharp, he moved well and had a lot of poise.

    The O-line did a great job in keeping the kid clean. the offense was solid though predictable at times. That being said, you can see how easily it is for guys to get separation when they know the system. Last year QB1 missed a lot of throws and settled for the checkdown way to many times. I dont think these qbs will do that this season.

    The defense, as reported in training camp chatter, was all over the place. They looked fast, poised and really put pressure on the QB. If the offense can avoid the multiple 3 and outs late in games I can see this D doing some damage.

    All in all, preseason is a tempered thing. I really want to see our startes get some run because i think Jimmy G is going to have a career year. People are sleeping on the Raiders and hating the team because, in some cases rightfully so, we just have failed year after year after year. Last year we lost a lot of games with double digit leads. What happens with a qb who can score in the redzone? How many more games we get with a couple 7 point drives that turned out to be 3 point drives under DC.

    Im excited about what i have seen so far even with the boys.
     
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  12. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    Some interesting moves.
    Since pre-season games started...

    OUT Kyle Peko DT
    OUT Darius Harris LB (RIR) (Then Waived)
    OUT DJ Turner WR (RIR)
    IN Isaiah Zuber WR
    OUT Brandon Parker OT (RIR) (Then Waived)
    OUT DJ Turner WR (Waive)
    OUT Darien Butler LB (RIR)
    IN Doug Costin DT
    IN Isaac Darkangelo LB

    I don't regard any of the waived players as big losses. Among RIR, the story is a bit different. Wondered if Peko and Butler would show out at all.

    Doug Costin was a 66 rating in 2020, which would be better than just about any interior defensive player on roster, but he has struggled mightily to find playing time since then.
    Darkangelo had a big Senior season at Illinois after very minimal playing time prior to that.
     
  13. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    Look like Jacobs signed a 1 year, $12m deal.

    Wow. He really showed everyone. That's what he was offered previously. Now he goes into the season without a preseason, without time with the new players, and looking kinda foolish.
     
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  14. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    I'd like to see Cole Jr. retained. Much more reliable target than give credit for. Not really sold on Dorsett. Another one is Drake Thomas on defense.

    So how bad was the Gruden-Mayock drafting? Leatherwood, Muse, Edwards all released. I don't think Abram will make it with Nawlins...
     
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  15. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    Recent Cuts

    OUT Isaac Rochell DL
    OUT Phillip Dorsett WR
    OUT Keelan Cole WR
    OUT Niel Farrell DT (Traded for 6th round pick)
    OUT Jaquan Johnson SS
    OUT Drake Thomas LB
    OUT Damien Williams RB
    OUT Cam Webb CB

    I had Dorsett as the 5th-highest rated WR behind Tucker. Keelan Cole was right behind him.

    I have Farrell 7th among DIs.

    The Raiders are sort of "loaded" at DB. Johnson would have been fifth among Safeties. Webb was also lost in the mix at CB.

    The only one that I found impressive was Damien Williams. Bummer.
     
  16. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    Cole could be back on the practice squad.

    Their drafting was mostly a mess. I mean, Crosby was a steal though.
     
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  17. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    I would have kept Williams and cut Bolden. Latter is really ancient.

    That Farrell trade did not make sense at first sight. You help out a division rival out of all that for a lowly pick.
     
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  18. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    OUT Doug Costin DT
    OUT Isaac Darkangelo LB
    OUT Chase Garbers QB
    OUT Ike Brown CB
    OUT Bryce Cosby CB
    OUT Vitaliy Gurman OG
    OUT Darwin Thompson RB
    OUT Chris Lacy WR (Waive/IR)
    OUT Brittain Brown RB
    OUT Jacob Hollister TE
    OUT Isaiah Zuber WR

    No surprises there.
     
  19. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    OUT
    David Agoha DE
    Matthew Butler DT
    Adam Plant DE
    George Tarlas DE
    Jordan Willis DE*
    No surprises except possibly Willis.

    McClendon Curtis OG
    Netane Muti OG
    Alex Bars OG*
    Hroniss Grasu C*
    -A couple names I expected to be on roster.

    Kana'i Mauga LB
    Drake Thomas LB
    -No surprises.

    Cole Fotheringham TE*
    John Samuel Shenker TE
    -No real surprise

    Jaydon Grant S
    Tyler Hall CB*
    Azizi Hearn CB
    Sam Webb CB*
    Duke Shelley CB**
    -Honestly, some of these guys are surprising. Shelley was one of four DBs rated 70+ for the Raiders.

    Keelan Cole WR
    Cam Sims WR
    -Too much depth.


    Sincere McCormick RB
    -No surprise.

    RIR
    Dalton Wagner OT

    I'll be back with a Depth Chart and thoughts.
     
  20. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    OFFENSE
    QB
    Garoppolo
    Hoyer/O'Connell
    -Statistically, Garoppolo is better than Carr when healthy. Let's see how he does on that front. AOC looks fantastic.

    Wide Receiver
    Adams/Meyers/Renfrow
    Tucker/Wilkerson/Carter
    -Great starting trio. Wilkerson led the team in preseason with 17-188, 1 TD. Tucker took 5 receptions for 92 yards. Carter had just 1-9. Both Tucker (16.5 per punt) and Carter (30 yards on a kickoff and 31 on a punt) showed some pop in the return game.

    TE
    Hooper/Mayer/Horsted
    -Excited for Mayer. Not sure we're as deep as at our deepest though, with Waller and Moreau.

    RB
    Jacobs/White/Abdullah/Bolden
    Johnson
    -Same group as last year. Would have liked to see Damien Williams stick around. No one else really established themselves in preseason.

    OL
    Miller/Parham/James/Van Roten/Eluemunor
    Herron/Meredith/Munford
    -Van Roten is the weak link in the starting lineup, but he was adequate last season (58). Munford (61) was actually better.

    DEFENSE
    DE
    Crosby/Jones
    Wilson/Koonce
    -This unit is ready. Excited to see what they can do with the young guys rotating in.

    DI
    Tillery/Nichols
    Jenkins/Butler/Silvera/Young
    -Tillery and Nichols are decent, and Young and Jenkins behind them should push for time. Silvera could develop into a run stuffer.

    LB
    Spillane/Deablo
    Burney/Masterson/Bolton
    -Masterson is probably the weak link here, and there's a big drop off after Spillane and Deablo. But Burney was an interesting player in preseason.

    DB
    Bennett, Epps, Moehrig, Peters, Hobbs
    Facyson, Teamer, Pola-Mao, Long, Robertson, Smith
    -Bennett's 65 rating is the lowest among the starters, while Peters clocks in at 76, highest among the starters. Robertson is a 71. Facyson is a 60. Teamer and Long are 53s. Still shocked Shelley (70) didn't make it. It's a deep group of adequate players.
     
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