2020 Las Vegas Raiders: Remain, Reload, or Reset
Remain
Offensive Line
The 2019 Raiders offensive line saw drastic improvement from the year previous. From 2nd year tackle Kolton Miller bulking up and improving his game to free agent splash Trent Brown becoming the highest paid lineman in the NFL, they seemed to improve upon an already strong group up front.
Their most controversial move, bringing in troubled veteran guard Richie Incognito proved to pay dividends as he went on to have an amazing year and earn himself an extension. Whether he could regain his 2017 pro bowl form was the big question mark going into the season, and he proved he still has plenty left in the tank.
Rumors are swirling of the Raiders potentially trading or cutting guard Gabe Jackson, which would save them $9.6 million with no dead cap money to worry about. Even if we saw this occur, the Raiders wouldn’t necessarily have to make any corresponding moves via free agency or the draft with recently extended guard Denzelle Good ready to step in as the starter. With the position being relatively weak in this years draft, at best they may look to target someone on day three who can be a depth player.
Tight End
The biggest breakout the Raiders saw in 2019 came from the tight end position. After bringing in Baltimore Ravens cast off Darren Waller in 2018, we saw him instantly transform into one of the top tight ends in the league in 2019. Thanks to HBO’s Hard Knocks, we also saw an ever better heartwarming comeback story about battling addiction and reshaping not only his career but more importantly his life.
To compliment that, the Raiders also drafted Foster Moreau out of LSU who quickly made a name for himself as a do it all tight end who could be a threat in the run game as a blocker just as much as he could on the receiving end. As teams started focusing on Waller more and double teaming him, Moreau really shined as a reliable pass catching option for Derek Carr in the two tight end sets Jon Gruden loves to run.
With the emergence of these two young stars and a very reliable third option in Derek Carrier still contracted through this year, the tight end position is all but solidified. Don’t look for the Raiders to put much time, if any, kicking the tires on any outside sources for this group.
Running Back
It was pure poetry in motion watching rookie running back Josh Jacobs dance and bulldoze his way to 1,150 yards and 7 touchdowns in only 13 games. What’s even more impressive is that 601 of those yards and 3 of those touchdowns came after he broke his shoulder against Green Bay in week 7.
The Raiders returned change of pace back Jalen Richard, extending him on a 2 year/$7 million deal. Richard saw majority of his production as a receiving back out of the backfield, while DeAndre Washington saw most of the hand offs while Jacobs was sidelined.
Many view Richard’s extension as the end for Washington’s time with the Raiders. Though he was more of a thumping back as apposed to Richard’s receiving skills, there has always been the debate on who would eventually be the odd man out. With Washington being a UFA, the Raiders will more then likely let him walk. This years draft has deep talent at the position as well, so look for them to potentially target someone on day 2 or day 3 who can help shoulder the load of carries alongside Jacobs.