Comparing the 2019 Oakland Raiders Offense to 2016

With the 2019 NFL season approaching, the excitement for the Raiders last year in Oakland rises. Although the Raiders last solid season was in 2016, this roster may be the one to bring some success back to the Raider Nation.

The 2016 season for the Oakland Raiders was special. The team finished the season 12-4, having one of the best records in the entire NFL and making the playoffs. Derek Carr had a standout year, along with Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, Latavius Murray, and one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.

The Raiders were one of the most exciting teams in the league to watch that season. It seemed every week, Carr would have to lead the Raiders down the field in the final minute of the game to pull off the victory. The season was going perfect, until Carr broke his leg against the Indianapolis Colts on Christmas Eve.

Ever since that day, the Raiders have not been the same.

The talent after that season was clearly diminished. Carr did not look like himself, Amari Cooper was not the same, and they did not re-sign Latavius Murray. A few years later, and they no longer have Cooper, Khalil Mack, Michael Crabtree, Bruce Irvin, and many other pieces to that incredible 2016 team.

After a tough 2017 and 2018 season, the Raiders are finally looking to be rebuilt, and have a ton of talent on the team.

Even compared to the 2016 team, it is hard to deny that this Raiders roster could turn out to surprise a ton of people. While they may not go 12-4, they have the talent to beat some of the top teams in the league if they can put it all together.

The name does not change at the quarterback position, as Derek Carr did show flashes of his former self last season. It is impossible to ignore the fact that Carr has not been his same self since his incredible 2016 season, but 2016 Carr and 2019 Carr have something in common.

2016 was the first season that Derek Carr was working in the same offensive scheme, with the same offensive coordinator in back to back years. This was an important reason for Carr’s success that season.

In 2019, Carr will be under the same offensive scheme in back to back years for just the second time in his career. He started to figure out Gruden’s system late in the season last year, and we can expect that his continuous work with Gruden will show in the 2019 season.

It is impossible to tell what the running back situation will look like compared to 2016, but the Raiders no doubt have more depth and potential than in previous years. In 2016, the Raiders had Latavius Murray, who ran for over 700 yards and twelve touchdowns. First round draft pick Josh Jacobs out of Alabama should be able to surpass that numbers in terms of yards, and should be a bigger help in the passing game than Murray was, as well.

The Raiders also have Doug Martin, who rushed for over 700 yards last season. A one two punch between Jacobs and Martin could be dangerous, but expect Jacobs to get a large majority of the load in 2019.

In terms of receivers, the edge goes to the 2019 team. In no way did the 2016 Raiders team lack receiving talent, as both Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree posted over 1,000 yards, and had arguably the best seasons of their careers. Amari Cooper was on fire in 2016, and Michael Crabtree was one of the most clutch receivers in the NFL.

With that being said, Antonio Brown may be the best receiver in the NFL, and is no doubt miles ahead of Cooper and Crabtree. The Raiders also add Tyrell Williams, who proved to be dangerous in his time with the Chargers, and also added rookie Hunter Renfrow out of Clemson. This Raiders receiving core seems to be underrated in the national media, but they have the talent to provide at least a top ten passing offense in the league, if not better.

On the offensive line, the 2016 team gets the clear advantage. So much of the Raiders success in 2016 can be credited to this offensive line, as it was one of the best in the entire league. With Donald Penn at LT, Kelechi Osemele at LG, Rodney Hudson at C, a young Gabe Jackson at RG, and Menelik Watson at RT, the Raiders only allowed 18 sacks.

The 2019 team has a much improved offensive line from the previous year, but it does not compare to the 2016 team. Hopefully Kolton Miller can live up to expectations at LT, Richie Incognito is on a prove it deal at LG, Rodney Hudson at C, Gabe Jackson at RG, and Trent Brown at RT, which is not his best position.

Compared to the 2016 offense, the Raiders are not as far off as one may think. The key to success for this team is the offensive line. If Derek Carr can get as comfortable behind this line as he was with his 2016 line, this offense has the potential to explode. With Josh Jacobs, Antonio Brown, and Tyrell Williams, the Raiders have the best skill players they have had since 2002.