Could the Oakland Raiders be sneaky playoff contenders in 2019?

The Oakland Raiders have done a nice job revamping their roster so far this offseason, but have they done enough to become playoff contenders.

Over one week of free agency is in the books and it already feels like the Oakland Raiders are the biggest winners. At least, in terms of their goals to supply quarterback Derek Carr with a strong cast around him. The entire receiver group looks unrecognizable from the 2018 season, which was desperate for a change.

Now Carr and Jon Gruden have some toys to play with in 2019. Running back still needs to be addressed, but that position is the easiest to plug and play. So long as the offensive line can create holes and keep Derek clean, which is why they brought in Trent Brown, then both the running and passing game will be much-improved.

It definitely is a possibility for the offense to be threatening in 2019. With all of these free agent signings, it makes you wonder if the Oakland Raiders can be sneaky playoff contenders in 2019.

The free agents they have brought in thus far will immediately be impactful starters. However, they cannot do it alone. These free agents aren’t sufficient for any type of playoff run.

For a shot at the playoffs, there are a lot of variables that need to be answered. One of them is if the 2018 draft class develops into some strong talents.

Kolton Miller is the key to this because solidifying both tackle positions will allow endless possibilities for the offense. The Raiders invested a lot into Miller, so he is a player that they cannot miss on. He doesn’t need to be 2016 Donald Penn, but he has to be consistent.

Ensuring Miller’s technique is sound is a huge piece of the puzzle for success to the Raiders offense. It won’t matter what side Trent Brown is on because defenses will easily switch their best rusher on Miller’s side. Whether Miller can turn into a solid starter or not will be on offensive line coach Tom Cable.

Swinging to the defense, Maurice Hurst will undoubtedly be better, but what about P.J. Hall and Arden Key? Those are two fairly high draft picks that need to develop into studs if the Raiders want to sneak into the playoffs.

Key will likely not be ready as a heavy starter next season, so the Raiders have to address a veteran pass rush presence in free agency. If they choose to go with nothing but rookies and second year players on the defensive line, then that is demanding a lot out of the worse pass rushing defense in 2018.

Let’s not forget about Nick Nelson. There wasn’t much shown from him last season that would make you think he is promising, but then again, the pass rush was nonexistent. Staying in coverage for that long is insanely difficult. Nelson’s development next season will be one to keep an eye on.

It isn’t solely last year’s draft class, but this upcoming 2019 class as well that plays a factor. The Raiders have to hit on these picks, mainly their first four. Those picks are at 35 and under, so they can easily draft immediate impactful starters to add to the free agents they have picked up.

It’s a bit of a long shot, but there have been crazy enough turnarounds in this league that make it a strong possibility for the Oakland Raiders to reach the playoffs. That would mean everything to the fans in the Bay Area. While I do believe it is possible for this happen, I just think that there are too many variables involved for the Raiders to make it.

It really comes down to Kolton Miller taking major steps in his second year and hitting on the first four draft picks this year. Personally, I have little faith in Tom Cable to develop a cohesive unit. He doesn’t have a resume or a history of developing lineman into star players, especially someone like Miller, who already had a knock on his technique.

Once again, crazier turnarounds have happened in this league. I don’t see it likely that the Oakland Raiders make such a dramatic turnaround to turn themselves into playoff contenders, but to pretend that they can’t possibly do so would be negligent. The picture will become a little more clear once the draft commences on April 26. Will the Oakland Raiders have drafted impactful starters for the future? Or will they whiff and overreach on some picks?