ESPN Power Rankings have the Oakland Raiders at No. 26

The Oakland Raiders are seemingly no-one’s pick to do anything of substance in 2019, and ESPN is no different, ranking them No. 26 to start the season.

ESPN released its first NFL Power Ranking and the network has the Oakland Raiders ranked 26th overall. Although we have only seen two preseason games, we are close enough to the beginning of the regular season to start comparing all 32 teams.

Ever since general manager Mike Mayock’s hiring, the Raiders have been committed to and successful in acquiring more talent on their roster. Among those additions are: Antonio Brown, Trent Brown, Tyrell Williams, Lamarcus Joyner and three first-round picks. However, ESPN’s NFL writers view Oakland as a bottom-tier team and ranked them lower than any other team in the AFC West.

ESPN’s ranking sandwiches the Silver and Black between the Cincinnati Bengals (28), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (27), Buffalo Bills (25) and New York Jets (24). Out of this bunch of teams,the Raiders have arguably been the most active team in the offseason. That activity should help Oakland climb up the rankings as the season progresses.

Over the years, Raider fans have grown accustomed to the national media’s lack of respect for the team. However, what is surprising is the “hot seat” portion of this article where wide receiver Antonio Brown is listed as on the hot seat.

Here’s what the network had to say (full article):

"26. Oakland RaidersWho’s on the hot seat: Antonio Brown, WRWhy his seat is warm: Brown’s helmet histrionics have weighed on the team to the point where general manager Mike Mayock felt compelled to issue the enigmatic wideout an ultimatum after he left camp for the second time in a huff. “So, from our perspective,” Mayock told reporters Sunday afternoon, “it’s time for him to be all-in, or all-out, OK?” There is no question Brown is a unique, all-world talent, one the Raiders gladly parted with third- and fifth-round picks to acquire before signing him to a $30 million deal in March, But patience is obviously wearing thin. As Brown himself said, when asked when he might practice again, “Stay tuned.” — Paul Gutierrez"

That quote from ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez is likely from Sunday, because Adam Schefter reported that Antonio Brown rejoined the team on Monday. It looks like Mayock’s comments got through to AB and he appears to be “all-in.” The wide receiver is now off the hot seat (if he ever actually was), and should help escalate the Raiders in the power rankings.

The bottom line is, these rankings do not add up to much during the summer, and we will not get a good grasp on how good this Raiders team will be until they go through the gauntlet that is their first seven games. They open up with two straight divisional games at home, and then do not come back home until Week 9, so we will know where they stand then.