Las Vegas Raiders: Is David Ziegler in over his head as GM?

In his second offseason as the general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders, could David Ziegler possibly be in over his head?

Heading into his second offseason as the general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders, David Ziegler has a lot of work to do in terms of the roster. Last offseason, Ziegler took over a playoff team that defied all odds down the stretch in the regular season and came one play away from eliminating the eventual AFC Champions in the Cincinnati Bengals.

Ziegler made some solid moves, adding Davante Adams via a trade with the Green Bay Packers, but at the cost of a first and second-round pick. He also made some questionable draft picks, and free agent signings, including bringing in Chandler Jones on a monster contract to pretty much be unproductive all season long.

Now, entering Year 2, Ziegler is stockpiled with draft picks and salary cap space, in what should be the most important offseason in recent Raiders history. Las Vegas is looking to replace the quarterback for the first time in ten offseasons as well, so for a second-year general manager, is Ziegler in over his head?

Raiders GM has big responsibilities this offseason

For the first time since the 2019 NFL Draft, the Raiders hold a top-10 pick and have many holes to fill going into draft season. The Silver and Black are not only in the market for a quarterback, but they have significant holes on defense, and all three levels must be upgraded this offseason.

Looking at the quarterbacks coming out this year, there is some star potential, but the Raiders will have to trade up to get one of the top prospects. That is something Ziegler has never had to do, and being such a novice at the position, there is a good chance he makes a deal that seems a bit lopsided the other way.

Ziegler also has more money in terms of the salary cap available than the Raiders have had for quite some time, so he has to make sure he spends that wisely. Remember, this is a franchise that was in the playoffs a little over a calendar year ago, so there should still be enough talent to build around this off-season.

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Ziegler is in a make-or-break off-season in terms of his run as the team’s general manager, even though it is still only his second season at the helm. He is a young and smart executive who comes from New England, a franchise that is known for making solid moves every offseason, but this is his show, and hopefully, he is not in over his head.