3 reasons why the 2020 Las Vegas Raiders will make the playoffs

By Nick Ellis | May 17, 2020

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Jon Gruden talks to Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins during an NFL game on September 23, 2018 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Miami defeated Oakland 28-20. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

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Josh Jacobs running back Raiders (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

Year 2 for a special draft class

The biggest jump players often take is from their rookie season to their second season, and the Raiders 2019 rookie class was incredible last year. Players like Josh Jacobs and Maxx Crosby should continue to produce at a high level, but the team only takes the next step if players like Clelin Ferrell, Hunter Renfrow, Trayvon Mullen, and Johnathan Abram step up in Year 2.

Renfrow and Mullen really started to come around at the end of last season, as Renfrow started to look like the best receiver on the team, and Mullen proved to be a CB1 once the team dealt Gareon Conley away.

The biggest piece to the defense could be Abram, a 2019 first round pick that only played one game last season. In that game, Abram looked to be everything the Raiders expected him to be, a fierce safety in the backend of their defense.

The Raiders brought in a couple of other veteran safeties in case Abram’s reckless style leads to another injury, but if he can stay healthy, the Raiders defensive backs could be a solid group of young players.

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