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Raiders: Ten players that are crucial to the 2018 season

By Thomas Wheaton

CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 31: Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders directs his team before throwing the ball during the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on December 31, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 31: Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders directs his team before throwing the ball during the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on December 31, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – DECEMBER 31: Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders directs his team before throwing the ball during the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on December 31, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – DECEMBER 31: Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders directs his team before throwing the ball during the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on December 31, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

The Raiders are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 6-10 season in 2017. Here are the 10 players that will be crucial to their success in 2018.

As we saw last season, the Raiders go as Derek Carr goes. When he has a MVP caliber season, like he did in 2016, the Raiders go 12-4. When he looks more like he did as a rookie, like he did last season, the Raiders go 6-10. However, it cannot just be Carr that carries the load for the Raiders. he has to have help from his teammates.

Guys like Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin have proven their worth on defense, while Amari Cooper and Marshawn Lynch have done the same on offense. There is plenty of talent around Carr now, several additions have only cemented that fact.

Let’s take a closer look at the 10 players that will be absolutely vital for the Raiders in 2018. Also, order matters here, tenth to first in order of importance.

10. Arden Key

In the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Raiders took a flier on a talented but troubled pass rusher out of LSU. Arden Key was one of the most prolific pass rushers in college in 2016, setting a LSU record with 12 sacks. Injuries and off-field issues hampered his other two seasons, and as a result, his draft-stock.

Prior to last season, Key was considered by some to be the number one prospect at edge rusher. On talent alone, he is a first-rounder. He can be an absolute force in the NFL if he stays in shape and keeps his off-field issues in check. Luckily, he has some pretty good role models in Mack and Irvin. If he stays on the field, Key could be a crucial part in turning around a pretty bad Raiders defense.

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