Jon Gruden is building the Oakland Raiders the way he wants to for Las Vegas, bringing in guys who could be considered Gruden Grinders.
The Oakland Raiders are arguably the most active team in the NFL this offseason. Trading away players like Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper last season has set up the Raiders in the 2019 NFL Draft, where they hold four of the first 35 picks.
Heading into this offseason, most thought the Silver and Black were entering into full rebuild mode. However, to the surprise of most, the Raiders attacked and pillaged free agency by acquiring Antonio Brown via trade, Tyrell Williams, Trent Brown, Lamarcus Joyner, Curtis Riley, and Vontaze Burfict, just to name a few. This is not typical of a rebuild, this looks like a reload.
Coming off of a disappointing 4-12 campaign, something had to change. The Raiders looked lost last season, and that look reflected on the scoreboard.
They were the oldest team in the NFL by average, and had the makings of a Raiders team from the mid-2000s. However, this offseason is different. The Raiders have added quality players, and they are players that fit Jon Gruden’s personality.
The top 3 acquisitions of this offseason, in my opinion, are offensive tackle Trent Brown and wide receivers Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams. These men are symbolic of what you would call a Gruden Grinder.
They are a 7th round pick, a 6th round pick, and an undrafted free agent, respectively. These three men have had to work for what they have in the NFL, and have become great players at their respective positions.
These Grinders are going to be the face of the Raiders in Las Vegas, led by the ultimate Grinder in Gruden. What’s so fascinating, as well, is that these moves seem to indicate that the Raiders believe what happened last season, particularly with Derek Carr, wasn’t a regression, but a step in the right direction.
Melissa Jacobs from The Football Girl had a very good article on how the Raiders seem to have had a plan all along.
The acquisitions of Trent Brown, Antonio Brown, and Tyrell Williams gives Derek Carr the best offseason he’s had since his rookie year. It could be argued that Brown and Williams could be the best two wide receivers Carr has ever thrown to, and Trent Brown could be the young Donald Penn that solidifies his offensive line.
Derek Carr, and Raider Nation, should be very happy with these signings.
Now, I’m not one to make a prediction in March, but the road back to contender looks a lot shorter after this offseason. It’ll be fun to watch the draft, and see which direction general manager Mike Mayock and Gruden go, and how this team can continue to build momentum towards what could be their final season in Oakland.