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2018 Oakland Raiders: 3 Players I’m sold on, and 3 I’m not

By Jordan Alexis

Gabe Jackson of the Oakland Raiders comes out of the tunnel. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Gabe Jackson of the Oakland Raiders comes out of the tunnel. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 07: Derrick Johnson #56 of the Kansas City Chiefs tackles James White #28 of the New England Patriots during the first quarter of their game at Gillette Stadium on September 7, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 07: Derrick Johnson #56 of the Kansas City Chiefs tackles James White #28 of the New England Patriots during the first quarter of their game at Gillette Stadium on September 7, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Out: Derrick Johnson

Last season the Raiders had some of the worst coverage linebackers I’ve ever seen. And with how smart offenses are with exploiting matchups, they had to improve. But instead of addressing it in the draft, they choose to go the veteran route. And that led to them bringing in longtime Chief Derrick Johnson.

Now when it comes to coverage, Johnson was one the best last season. However, he was losing snaps last season with the Chiefs in large part to him being a liability in the run game. The Chiefs ranked dead last in defensive run game DVOA and Johnson played a role in that.

So for Johnson to be playable, he has to be elite in pass coverage. And at age 36 how much longer can you expect that from him?

I’m all in on Johnson being a leader in the locker room and helping to teach the young linebackers on the roster. Though on the field I’m just not sure how big of an upgrade he will be.

If he’s slightly better in coverage than what Oakland had last year but is awful again in the run game are the Raiders actually better?

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