Oakland Raiders: 5 internal questions to ask before free agency

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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 17: Michael Crabtree No. 15 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after a two-yard touchdown catch against the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Are Michael Crabtree or Marshawn Lynch part of this team next year?

Though they were two of the Raiders’ most productive offensive weapons in 2017, there is some reason to believe that the Raiders could move off both wide receiver Michael Crabtree and running back Marshawn Lynch before the 2018 NFL season. Are we sure that Gruden has the patience to deal with their on and off-the-field antics?

When Crabtree is close to 1,000 receiving yards and a reliable touchdown target, then the Raiders were more than willing to put up with his on-field battles over chains with Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib. However, his production slipped in 2017 and that second fight with Talib was a complete embarrassment.

Though Lynch was the most productive skill position player for the Raiders last year, he didn’t really come into his own until mid-season. Getting ejected for shoving an official in the Thursday night game versus the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t help the Raiders in the next game, as they were humiliated by the Buffalo Bills up in Orchard Park.

It may not just be antics that could have these two off the Raiders in 2018. Perhaps neither are a great fit in Gruden’s West Coast offense? Lynch does have a previous working relationship with incoming offensive line coach Tom Cable while with the Seattle Seahawks. Crabtree has played his entire NFL career in the Bay Area out of Texas Tech. It’ll be interesting to see where those to play next year, either with Oakland or elsewhere.

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