Oakland Raiders: Two key areas to improve on in 2019

How to fix the issues inside the Red Zone and on third down

Jared Cook

Why fix what’s not broken, right? Jared Cook was targeted higher in the
Red Zone than any other Raiders pass catcher in 2018. He’s clearly built a rapport with Derek Carr, and should be brought back for 2019.

Andy Isabella

The Raiders own the 2019 NFL draft, and if they hit on the picks, it could be a historic draft for the franchise. If you haven’t watched the Senior Bowl highlights this year, I encourage you to do so. Andy Isabella will leap off the screen.

He has elite speed, and good hands. Thinking back to the AFC Championship game a couple weeks ago, I can see Isabella in a Julian Edelman type role, converting 3rd and 10s with ease.

Upgrade at Running Back

I’m not naming a specific player here because there are plenty of ways to upgrade this position, but let’s be honest, Marshawn Lynch will only be Beast Mode for a little longer and might not be on the team if the Raiders don’t play in Oakland next year.

Upgrading the running back position with a high profile free agent like Le’Veon Bell, or through the draft, with a guy like Justice Hill, can help the Raiders add an extra weapon between and inside the 20s.

Jalen Richard is great, but he needs a complementary back. Maybe Chris Warren III is that, maybe not, so upgrading here would definitely help.

So, talking about narratives, the Raiders need more weapons, but they need the right weapons for the right situation. Bill Belichick once said, “We’re building a team, not collecting talent.” And if the Raiders can acquire the right team for the right situations, I believe 2019 will look much better than 2018.