Projecting the Raiders 53-man roster after minicamp

Tight End

Jared Cook, Lee Smith, Derek Carrier

The offense is going to look a lot different this season, as the wide receiver group was not utilized in 2017. Tight End Jared Cook was the team’s leader in receiving yards last season, which is really saying something considering the offense featured wideouts like Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree.

Cook is back with the team in 2018, and he will headline a position group that looks very familiar to the one that took the field last season when it comes to personnel. Lee Smith will join him as a blocking tight end, and the duo will also get some blocking help from Derek Carrier, who came aboard as a free agent this offseason.

Carrier, like Smith, is another tremendous blocking tight end, and Gruden loves to be able to put some big bodies out there to block for his running backs. You could easily count on Smith and Carrier sharing the field to pick up the small yardage needed for first downs, as Cook should serve as the pass-catching weapon of the group once again.

Cook is going to be used in the red zone when it comes to the passing attack, and he should have his fair share of opportunities to make big plays in 2018. Look for all three of these guys to make the roster for Week 1, as the offense takes on a completely different look in year one of the Gruden Era.