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Oakland Raiders top-5 offseason moves that will be big contributors in 2019

By Nicholas Cothrel

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 28: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders reacts after a Derek Carr #4 one-yard touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 28: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders reacts after a Derek Carr #4 one-yard touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 08: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball after making a catch in the 4th quarter of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Heinz Field on November 8, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 08: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball after making a catch in the 4th quarter of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Heinz Field on November 8, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) /

1. Antonio Brown

The Raiders entered the offseason with needs up and down their roster, but finding out that the seven time pro-bowler was available on the market via trade was something that caught Gruden and Mayock by surprise.

The Raiders pulled off one of the most lopsided trades in recent memory, when they sent the Steelers a third and fifth-round pick, in exchange for Antonio Brown.

This acquisition comes in as the Raiders biggest offseason move, and Brown’s statistics say why.

Brown’s track record has established him as one of the most reliable pass catchers in the game. He’s had over 1,000-yards receiving in six-straight years, and over that same time he’s had at least eight or more touchdowns. In 2014 and 2016 he led the NFL with the most receiving yards, and in the year’s of 2014 and 2016 he led the league with the most receptions among wide receivers.

The Raiders wide receiving core last season didn’t really possess any threats to stretch the field like Brown will bring to the team. Brown plays inside and outside the hashes, causing struggles for opposing defenses to cover the speedy wide out.

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Brown will be the most complete pass catcher that Carr has worked with, and after the two find their rhythm and connection, there’s no reason that can’t translate into wins.

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