Las Vegas Raiders 2019 draft class to be even more impactful in 2020
By Brad Weiss
Fourth Round
What an incredible fourth round it was for Mayock and company, as they got two players who excelled as rookies, and a third who should make a solid contribution in his second season. Of course, the main name found in the fourth round was edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who was arguably the biggest steal of the entire draft weekend.
It is not often that a player in the fourth round enters the NFL and absolutely dominates, but that is exactly what Crosby did. Not only did he end up with ten sacks, but he made a serious run at the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award, which is incredible considering he made only one start prior to Week 8, when he took over as a starter.
In 2020, the expectation will be high for Crosby to repeat his performance as a rookie, and while double-digit sack seasons are tough to come by, he has the motor to do it again. Also, his impact will be felt along the defensive line in terms of his teammates, as teams will have to double team Crosby at times, which should free up Ferrell on the other side.
Foster Moreau saw his season end due to injury, and while he will not be the top option at tight end, as the Raiders have one of the best in the game in Darren Waller, his impact will be felt nonetheless. This guy can flat out get open in the red zone, and as more teams focus on Waller, that should enable Moreau to once again be able to get five, if not more touchdowns in 2020.
Isaiah Johnson missed most of the 2019 season, but he is a big and physical corner, and based on the position group, will get every chance to carve out a role in 2020. If he can play up to the talent he showed at Houston, he could be a guy that makes an incredible leap from one year to the next.