Oakland Raiders Players Set For Big 2015 Seasons

Dec 7, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) reacts after throwing a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the 49ers 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN and Pro Football Focus did a rating of the 28 teams that didn’t make their Conference Championship Games this year. And with their 3-13 record this year, the Oakland Raiders were rated No. 26 in the NFL. Players are rated as bad, average, good to elite and according to the ratings metrics gathered from teams from 2007-2013, 40 percent of the teams roster that played 250 snaps or more have to be good to elite to have the roster of a contender.

From the 28 teams that didn’t make the Conference Championship Game, the Dallas Cowboys had the best roster. They didn’t go the the Conference Championship Game but they have a contending caliber roster already. The Baltimore Ravens were tied for No. 2 with the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles being just just two players away from a contending roster.

So how far are the Raiders away?

Right now, they are 11 good to elite players way from a roster that can contend right and they have a lot of improving, young players. There’s an older player improving too as I project a few players on the Raiders’ roster to be better. Then when they put that together with the right additions to the roster this offseason, the Raiders can get much closer.

Turn the page to see how close they can get as I take a look at a list of Raiders poised for big 2015 seasons.

Next: Derek Carr