The Oakland Raiders have just three games remaining in the 2019 season. And while they still have an outside shot at making the playoffs, the team will need to use the final three games of the season to evaluate talent before they head into the 2020 offseason.
With that in mind, here are three players who should get a more extended look in the final three games of the season:
1. DT Maurice Hurst
After a strong rookie season, Maurice Hurst has continued to produce at defensive tackle for the Raiders. In Week 14, he recorded his first career interception and nearly returned it for a score against Tennesee.
But despite recording solid statistics once again, Hurst just hasn’t been a regular part of the Raiders’ defensive line rotation. He is still playing less than 50 percent of the defensive snaps and has been surpassed in playing time by P.J. Hall and Johnathan Hankins. And considering how effective he has been at rushing the passer, it’s puzzling why he hasn’t been on the field more.
Considering Hankins is a proven veteran, it would be wise for Oakland to allow both Hurst and Hall to play extended snaps over the next three weeks before entering the offseason. If nothing else, it will help give the team more tape to study on these two players as they begin to rank their offseason needs.
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