The Las vegas Raiders are the most notorious team in NFL history with some of the most violent and merciless football players ever to strap on a helmet. If you don’t know what I’m talking about look-up of players like Jack “The Assassin”Tatum, Howie Long, and Lyle Alzado. Even as a Chiefs fan, I used to watch Jack Tatum highlights to get inspiration on how to play safety. before I digress too much, this blog will focus on the current Las Vegas Raiders. The current state of the offense and defense with focus on positions that need help and positions that are solid.
Quarterback: Derrick Carr
Derrick Carr is one of the most perplexing QB’s in the NFL because sometimes he looks like a superstar and other times looks like his older brother. As a Chiefs fan, I worry about Derrick Carr the least of any QB in the AFC West. According to NFL.com, since he came into the league in 2014, he’s never won a game in the Holy Land (Arrowhead). People can talk all they want about Phillip “cry me a River” Rivers, but he’s broken our hearts plenty. The Raiders will be better this year if they draft right (I think they will), but Derrick Carr is not going to carry them to a Championship. In my mind, I hope he stays with the Raiders for many years to come.
Reason For Optimism…
Derrick Carr threw 21 TDs and 8 INTs with his best receiver being Tyrell Williams. He gets Nelson Aguilar this coming here to help out, but he’s never even had 800 yards receiving. Nick Foles and Carson Wentz are much better than Derrick Carr, so how much is he really going to help? Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports, have the Raiders taking a WR Ceedee Lamb from Oklahoma. This move would be exceptional because it allows Aguilar to work in the slot and keep the 6’4″ Williams on the outside. Lamb has exceptional speed and ball skills that would keep defenses honest.
State of the Offense
From my perspective, the only player’s that concerns me is Josh Jacobs and Darren Waller. Jacob’s has averaged over 6 yards/carry against the Chiefs and has the agility, strength, and toughness, to take over a game. Darren Waller is 6’6″ and 255 pounds that runs like a WR. His 90 receptions last season should be applauded, given that every team knew he was going to get the ball. I also want to applaud his ability to battle through the opiate addiction that got him sent away from Baltimore. He should be encouraged and commended on taking control of this issue.
Offensive Line
The Raiders have one of the best Centers in the NFL with Rodney Hudson anchoring the line. Gabe Jackson should be healthy enough to start for the beginning of the year and Andre James is a young Tackle that can add depth. I really think they’re going to have to take a good look at Kyle Kalis this coming year. If they determine James and Kalis are not viable options, they need to draft their book-end tackle.The interior line for the Raiders is awesome, but their tackles need to put up or shut up at this point. With 2 more 1st round picks this year, the Raider should consider a lineman before they go CB.
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Wide Receivers
As I stated above, the Raiders scare literally zero teams at this position, even with the addition of Aguilar. If the final 2 games against the Chargers and Broncos are any indication, Hunter Renfrow could become a star in the slot. However, he’s been a non-factor in every other game, so who really knows. Especially, given that all 3 of teams were playing for draft stock at that point. Drafting a top WR like Ceedee Lamb makes this group night-and-day better. However, nobody knows where players will end up, despite all the “experts” mock drafts. Without significant upgrades in this years draft, the Raiders will finish dead last in the division.
State of the Defense
The Raiders defense is slightly better than their offense at this point, but they’re still not very good. The addition of Nick Kwiatkoski is going to solidify the middle of that defense for the 1st time in years. I have to admit that I’m 100% biased (Go EER’s!) in favor of Kwiatkoski, but his play is noticeable in every game. He has great instincts and discipline to make plays in the middle of the field. As a defense though, the Raiders are weak at every other position.
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Defensive Backfield
Not to throw shade on a team that has been literally run out of their own city, they are not good at all in the backfield. Football is a team game like no other sport in the world, so it’s hard to place blame on one position. However, teams were 42% against the Raiders on 3rd down. At some point your DBs have to step up and not allow 33 passing TDs. I do believe Erik Harris is a legit Safety, but I don’t think he has the quickness to keep up with any of the Chiefs receivers. As much flak I give the Raiders secondary, I think Johnathan Abram will be a pro-bowler in the NFL if he can stay healthy.
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Defensive Line
If I were an NFL GM, I’d draft offensive and defensive line in the 1st round until I had 3 all-pros on each side. The teams with the best “big-men” were all in the playoffs late, including the best D-line in San Francisco. Unfortunately , the Raiders don’t share my draft philosophy and always go for the shiny speedy WR or over-hyped DB. Max Crosby is a stud on the line (drafted 4th round) and Kendall Vickers can be a perennial starter, but I need proof, not potential. Teams started to negate Crosby’s impact by adding a chip with the RB or TE. No disrespect intended, but the only down lineman I’d even want on the Chiefs would be Max Crosby. Nobody else on the roster scares me enough to worry about them ruining Andy Reid’s gameplan.
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Linebackers
The Raiders linebacking group is the strong suit for their defense and will undoubtedly make them better next season. They solidified the middle with the addition of WVU alum, Nick Kwiatkoski and former Washington Husky, Corey Littleton in free agency. I have no doubt that teams will have trouble running on the Raiders this season if everyone stays healthy. Look out for players like Derrick Moncrief and Te’von Coney to step up this coming season. I especially like Moncrief covering Rb’s out in the flat with his lateral quickness. I think he needs to put on a few lbs to withstand an entire NFL season, but he was a difference maker at Oklahoma State.
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Where Will The Raiders Finish In The AFC West?
From my point of view, the Raiders will be neck-and neck with the Chargers for the 4-seed. I think the addition of Marcus Mariota is going to be a distraction to the offense, especially once Derrick Carr stumbles. They’ll draft a WR in the 1st round and I think they’ll be much better offensively and defensively. However, the NFL is run by high level QB’s and the Raiders are mediocre, at best. They sure as hell won’t compete the Saint Patrick and the Chiefs. The Broncos are going to be better with a QB finishing the year 4-1 in his final 5 games. The Chargers have a better roster and Tyrod Taylor doesn’t turn the ball over. I predict the Raiders will finish 7-9 and will give Mariota the reigns for the second half of the year to see if he can play in this system. I have no doubt the Raiders will let go of Carr after this season. He seems like a great guy and teammate, but he’s simply not good enough.
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