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Quarterback
Easily the most controversial topic among Raider Nation is the opinion on whether the Raiders should keep Derek Carr as head signal caller or not. The interesting part is that whether you’re on the side of keeping him or wanting him replaced, there’s stats on both sides of the line to back up your argument.
Regardless of where you fall on that spectrum though, signs point to Derek Carr being under center week 1 in their first year in Las Vegas. Even among all the rumors of a potential Tom Brady landing, both Gruden and GM Mike Mayock have backed their franchise quarterback in one form or another.
One thing that can be universally agreed on is that the Raiders have never had a legit No. 2 quarterback to push competition and strengthen that room. With Nathan Peterman and Mike Glennon both being free agents, DeShone Kizer is the only other quarterback under contract. I expect the Raiders to bring someone in to fill that No. 2 roll while Gruden also attempts to develop Kizer.
Free Agent Option: Marcus Mariota
Draft Option: Jalen Hurts (OU), Anthony Gordon (WSU)
Wide Receiver
This time last year nothing seemed more like it was on the rise then the Raiders wide receiver group. They had just traded for Antonio Brown and were about to sign the top free agent target in Tyrell Williams to have what would’ve been a deadly 1-2 combo. Fast forward one year and one #FreeAB fiasco later, and the group didn’t wind up as bad as everyone thought going into week 1.
Williams started off hot scoring a touchdown in each of the first 5 games, before suffering a foot injury that he would play through the rest of the season, drastically effect his production. Rookie 5th round pick Hunter Renfrow became a big time reliable target during the second half of the season, but suffered a set back as well in week 12 against the Jets breaking his ribs and puncturing a lung.
The biggest takeaway as we sit here today evaluating the group is that they still very seriously lack a true game changing WR1. Luckily for the Raiders we are entering arguably the deepest wide receiver group a draft class has seen in a long time. With the Raiders having two 1st round picks and five total picks in the top 100, expect them to try and find their WR1 and even talented depth via the draft.
Free Agent Options: AJ Green, Emmanuel Sanders
Draft Options: Jerry Jeudy (UA), CeeDee Lamb (OU)
Defensive Line
The only thing more surprising for Raider Nation then Clelin Ferrell being taken 4th overall was the breakout season 4th round draft pick Maxx Crosby had this year. He put himself in the running for rookie defensive player of the year with 47 tackles, 10 sacks and 4 forced fumbles.
Along with salt and pepper putting up a combined 14.5 sacks for a defense that totaled 13 the year before, Mo Hurst had a quietly good sophomore season tallying 3.5 sacks, 12 QB pressures and 2 fumble recoveries while only being in on 50% of the teams total defensive snaps.
There’s clearly no shortage of bright young talent along the defensive line for the Raiders already, its how they intend to bolster it that will be the intriguing part. The talent at EDGE and DT are heavy at the top in free agency, while the draft drastically falls off after the top 1 or 2 guys. If they decide to go big at either one of those positions, look for the Raiders to bring in elite talent via free agency as apposed to spending high in the draft.