ESPN likes the Las Vegas Raiders to make the playoffs early

The Oakland Raiders have brought in talent on both sides of the ball this offseason, but they may be a year away from making the playoffs.

Coming off a four-win season in 2018, the Oakland Raiders made a bunch of moves this offseason to make sure they are much more competitive in 2019. In what will be their last season in Oakland, the hope is that they can be in the playoff race down the stretch, although one media outlet feels their best seasons may be in front of them.

Dan Graziano from ESPN took a look at what the next three seasons in the NFL could bring, and for the Raiders, they may have to wait until Las Vegas to get into the playoffs. Graziano stated that while the team has talent entering 2019, it is more likely that they are a year away from being a legitimate playoff team in the NFL.

Two years ago, when Las Vegas got their NHL franchise, the Golden Knights, the team made it all the way to the Stanley Cup finals in Year No. 1. While Graziano is not forecasting that to happen, he does like the direction the team is moving, and feels they could be a playoff team early on in Las Vegas.

This is not a crazy statement by any means, as this team has the talent to compete for a playoff spot this season. They completely revamped both sides of the ball, and in quarterback Derek Carr, they have a signal-caller that can play at an MVP level if he can get any kind of protection.

You never know from year to year what the NFL can bring, and for the Raiders, there is no reason why they cannot at least fight for a Wild Card this season. If they can protect Carr, and play better on the defensive side of the ball, they have the talent to surprise some people in 2019.