Las Vegas Raiders roster being built for long term success
By Brad Weiss
Las Vegas Raiders roster being built for long term success
Solid 2019 and 2020 draft classes
Having five first round picks over his first two NFL Drafts enabled Mayock to bring in elite young talent to the roster, fixing some of the problem areas on both sides of the ball immediately. Josh Jacobs stepped in at running back and put together the best season we have seen from a rookie back in team history, and he should have come away with the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year honor.
Clelin Ferrell, who the team took with the No. 4 overall pick in 2019, had a rough start to his rookie campaign but came on strong late in the season. He spent the offseason bulking up, and looks like a different player, so expectations are a big second season for him.
The team’s third first rounder, Johnathan Abram, is the Alpha you need in your secondary, and we saw flashes of that in Week 1 of the 2019 season before an injury ended his year.
Outside of the first round is where Mayock really earned his money in 2019, as Maxx Crosby notched ten sacks as a fourth round pick out of Eastern Michigan. Trayvon Mullen, a second round pick, looked all the bit the part of a CB1 once he cracked the starting lineup, Hunter Renfrow was automatic on third down, and Foster Moreau proved to be a red zone threat, hauling in five touchdowns.
In 2020, Mayock had what should be a solid class as well, as Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards are turning heads from their wide receiver spots. Damon Arnette, who was considered a questionable first round pick has looked like a starter in camp, while guys like Lynn Bowden Jr. and Amik Robertson figure to play big roles as a rookies this season.