There are some new players on the Raiders roster, so let’s take a look at how they stack up. Today, we continue our countdown as we look at players 15-11 on the Raiders’ roster heading into the 2020 season.
15. WR Tyrell Williams (27)
Before the Raiders flirted with the idea of trading for Antonio Brown, it was Tyrell Williams who they had set their sights on that offseason. The 6-4, 205-pounder was just what Gruden wanted in a Z-receiver. Williams was a disappointment, but mostly because he was dealing with a plantar fascia foot injury all season. The Raiders picked up his option for next season at $11 million, so they clearly still think that when he’s healthy, he can give the offense the long red zone target they need.
14. ED Carl Nassib (26)
If Nassib can match the 6.5 and 6.0 sacks he had over the past two seasons in Tampa, he will be just what the Raiders want in a rotation with second-year edge rushers Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby. Add Arden Key in there, and the Raiders had three edge defenders on their rookie contracts, so they can afford to spend a little money on a rotation guy like Nassib.
13. G Gabe Jackson (28)
His two years under Tom Cable have not been great. Jackson is a power blocker and he is now working in an outside zone scheme and we haven’t seen the level of play we had gotten used to seeing over his first four NFL seasons. The nagging injuries are both part of the cause and a symptom of the scheme. Cable’s scheme often leads to a lot of injuries to his linemen. All of that said, Jackson is still a talented player and is at very least a worthy starter on most any team in the league.
12. LB Nick Kwiatkoski (27)
After four seasons as a part-time starter in Chicago, Kwiatkoski’s time has come. He was the first player with whom the Raiders agreed to terms in free agency, coming in at their position of greatest need. The 27-year-old can play inside or outside. In eight starts last season, he had 76 combined tackles, 3.0 sacks, one interception, and 4 pass breakups.
11. DI Johnathan Hankins (27)
Since being signed after the first game of the 2018 season, Hankins has been the Raiders’ most consistent player along the defensive line. He has started all but one game since he arrived, seeing the most time on the field among the defensive tackles, beating out 2018 rookies P.J. Hall and Maurice Hurst. Most defensive tackles don’t put up 50 tackles in a season, but that’s what Hankins did last season. He also added 6 QB hits and 1.5 sacks.
Ranking 25-21
Ranking 20-16
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