Are the Las Vegas Raiders poised for a playoff run in 2021?
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders made big changes with their roster on both sides, so are they poised for a legitimate playoff run in 2021?
During the 2019 and 2020 NFL seasons, the Raiders looked to be a legitimate playoff team early on. Getting out to 6-3 records in each season, and beating some elite teams early on, many felt that the Silver and Black had finally turned the corner.
Unfortunately, that was not the case, and the team faltered down the stretch in both seasons. Entering the 2021 campaign, Las Vegas has bolstered the defense, revamped the offensive line, and added playmakers on both sides of the ball, but are they a legitimate playoff contender?
To finally get back to the playoffs, they are going to have to navigate a tough schedule, and a tough division, so hopefully they made the right moves this offseason.
Raiders bolstered both sides of the ball in free agency and draft
There were plenty of issues that plagued the Raiders this past season, especially on the defensive side of the ball, an area they used five draft picks on in 2021. They also got some help on the edge in Yannick Ngakoue, and in the secondary in guys like Casey Hayward, Karl Joseph, and Trevon Moehrig, so the defense should be improved.
As stated earlier, they revamped the offensive line, but it is a talented group, and there are some elite players on offense. Overall, the Raiders will look a lot different next season but have a lot more talent than they did at this point last year, as Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden look to finally get over the playoff hump.
The bottom line is, they have used six first-round draft picks the last three drafts, and have spent a bunch of money in free agency. If this group in 2021 cannot get the job done, do not be surprised if the franchise turns the page in more ways than one next offseason.
In reality, the Raiders should definitely make a legitimate run to the playoffs and could surprise some people if all the new pieces fit in place. Winning the AFC West is going to be tough, but a Wild Card is definitely in the cards, and for Carr, this has to be the year he actually plays in a playoff game.