Las Vegas Raiders: 5 bold predictions for the 2020 offseason
The Las Vegas Raiders made a three-win improvement in 2019, and this offseason, there is a lot to be excited about in terms of improving the roster.
The Las Vegas Raiders are heading into, possibly, the most optimistic offseason they have had in almost two decades. With one playoff appearance since 2003, the Raiders hope to begin the Vegas era, and the new decade, on a high note.
The franchise has not exactly had the most successful of offseasons at any point in the last 17 years. The most memorable, likely, being the spring and summer of 2014, when the team added Derek Carr and Khalil Mack via the 2014 NFL Draft.
The Raiders have often struck out among the most impactful free agents. They have not signed a first-round pick to a second contract since running back Darren McFadden. That is not a sign of strong drafting.
Last year, however, they showed dramatic improvement, thanks in large part to an otherworldly rookie class, featuring Josh Jacobs and Maxx Crosby. Las Vegas improved from a 4-12 record in 2018 to a seven-win campaign last season, despite one of the harder schedules in the NFL.
Of course, they can not, realistically, expect this coming year's rookies to re-create the performance of the 2019 Raiders rookies, but Las Vegas can still take steps to drastically improve. The Raiders have a lot of money to throw around, and a shiny new stadium in a big city to attract free agents.
With a brand new, billion-dollar stadium, the attraction of Sin City, multiple first-round draft picks, and almost $60 million in cap space, the Raiders are primed to make another leap forward this coming year. The Raiders are in an enviable position this offseason, with both draft capital and salary cap space, and Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock need to make the most of it.
Last year, many said the Raiders were still ‘a year away’. Well, we are approaching that year away, and they have a lot of work to do before they are considered a contender in the AFC.
With the opening of free agency upcoming, and the draft just over a month away, let’s take a look at a few bold predictions for the Raiders’ moves between now and the start of the 2020 NFL season.