There were 28 former Raiders on NFL playoff teams this year, but only one is headed for Super Bowl

A month ago, there were 12 playoff teams. On those teams, there were a total of 28 former Raiders players. As of Sunday, just two teams remain — the Chiefs and 49ers — as conference winners headed for the Super Bowl. And on those rosters, there is just one former Raiders player — Stefen Wisniewski.

Wisniewski is a starting guard for the Kansas City Chiefs. He is the only player on the Chiefs roster who had ever suited up for the Raiders. The 49ers have none. Though they did have former Raiders pass rusher Damontre Moore who played two games this season for the 49ers before heading to injured reserve. Moore appeared in two games for the Raiders in 2018.

Wisniewski is not just a former Raiders player. He’s the nephew of legendary Raiders guard, Steve Wisniewski. When Stefen was available in the second round of the 2011 draft, Al Davis made sure he grabbed him and then head coach Hue Jackson touted lil-Wiz as their future starting center. He would start every game in which he appeared in his four seasons in Oakland, first at guard and then at center before being allowed to leave as a free agent.

After one season as the starting center in Jacksonville in 2015, he signed on with the Philadelphia Eagles. He spent three seasons in Philadelphia. His second season, he started 11 games and was the Eagles’ starting guard in the Super Bowl when they knocked off the New England Patriots. Once a Raider, Always a Raider.

Now Wiz is a starter headed for the Super Bowl again, this time with the Chiefs. With the injury to starting guard Andrew Wylie, Wisniewski stepped in and has started every game since then, including the Chiefs’ two playoff wins. Wylie is questionable to return for the Super Bowl.

Here are all the former Raiders who were on playoff teams this year.

Texans

LB Tyrell Adams

CB Gareon Conley (D1-17)

RB Taiwan Jones (D4-11)

QB AJ McCarron

DT Eddie Vanderdoes (D3-17)

Bills

LB Lorenzo Alexander

C Jon Feliciano (D4-15)

DT Corey Liuget

TE Lee Smith

Saints

TE Jared Cook

DE Mario Edwards Jr (D2-15)

RB Latavius Murray (D6-13)

S DJ Swearinger

Ravens

DT Justin Ellis (D4-14)

WR Seth Roberts (UD-14)

S Brynden Trawick

DT Jihad Ward (D2-16)

Titans

LB Daren Bates

WR Rashard Davis

Patriots

DE Shilique Calhoun (D3-16)

OT Marshall Newhouse

Packers

WR Ryan Grant

OT Jared Veldheer (D3-10)

Seahawks

RB Marshawn Lynch

TE Luke Willson

Eagles

QB Josh McCown

DT Anthony Rush (UDFA-19)

Chiefs

G Stefen Wisniewski (D2-11)

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Darren Waller injury has him passed up for Pro Bowl invite in favor of Colts TE Jack Doyle

I mentioned last week that this was about to happen, but it bears repeating now that it’s a reality. Regardless of who won the AFC Championship Game, the Raiders would have had one more Pro Bowler this week if not for injury.

Had the Titans won, Derrick Henry would not be going to the Pro Bowl, and Josh Jacobs would be in line to replace him as an alternate. But Jacobs is recovering from a broken shoulder, so he would have been passed up.

The Chiefs won the game, so Travis Kelce is out, which would have had Darren Waller next in line to go to the Pro Bowl. But Waller had thumb surgery immediately following the season, so he was passed up for Colts tight end Jack Doyle.

Many times Pro Bowl snubs get in anyway because of Pro Bowl starters heading to the Super Bowl or getting injured and bowing out. But that isn’t always the case. Sometimes snubs don’t get their due. This was such a case.

Waller’s 1145 receiving yards was second in the NFL among tight ends behind only Kelce (1229). He was 15th overall at any position. And yet somehow Ravens tight end Mark Andrews was chosen over him.

Had Waller been selected as a starter, it wouldn’t matter whether he was injured. He’d still get Pro Bowler on his resume. Now he’s left out altogether. At least he got that nice extension midway through the season.

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Look: 2020 NFL Draft Las Vegas renderings including red carpet stage on Bellagio fountains

Before the Raiders make their official move to Las Vegas, the NFL Draft will be there. And in true Vegas style, they are going big.

Instead of holding the draft inside one of the many large venues in Las Vegas, they are instead going to place the red carpet stage right on top of the iconic Bellagio fountains with drafted players transported to the stage by boat.

https://twitter.com/ClarkCountyNV/status/1219680215779201024

Another view of the Red Carpet stage. The area on the Las #Vegas Strip in front of the @Bellagio will provide a great vantage point for the public wanting to see the @NFLDraft and the players headed to the @NFL. #NFLDraft #NFLDraft2020 pic.twitter.com/1FBztJlOvx

— Clark County Nevada (@ClarkCountyNV) January 21, 2020

The plan would include the stands placed on Las Vegas Blvd. It’s unclear as of yet whether they would close down the street altogether, but it seems highly likely.

The main stage would be a block away east down Flamingo road next to the Ceasar’s forum and Linq High Roller Ferris Wheel.

It will include a draft theatre and plenty of fan experiences, including the Raiders’ three Super Bowl trophies on display.

Here is an overview of the layout for the @NFLDraft in Las #Vegas. A Red Carpet stage will be set up on the lake in front of the @Bellagio right on the #LasVegas Strip. There will also be an area with an @NFL Draft theater, experience and viewing. #NFLDraft #NFLDraft2020 pic.twitter.com/ONZrXAoS30

— Clark County Nevada (@ClarkCountyNV) January 21, 2020

Here are renderings the @NFLDraft Experience. There is room for thousands of people, along with activities including a chance to test your 40 yard dash time. There will also be a display of soon-to-be Las #Vegas @Raiders @NFL Championship Trophies. #NFLDraft #NFLDraft2020 pic.twitter.com/qE6FGjgbD7

— Clark County Nevada (@ClarkCountyNV) January 21, 2020

The Raiders will not have moved into their headquarters in Las Vegas by April, so their main draft operations will take place in their facility in Alameda. That won’t stop Vegas from celebrating the NFL coming to town next season.

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Should the Raiders make a run at free-agent DE Jadeveon Clowney?

Should the Raiders make a run at free agent DE Jadeveon Clowney?

If we have learned anything from the 2019 offseason, it’s that Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden are going to be aggressive in free agency and via trades. With a ton of cap space, we can expect the Raiders will target one or two “big name” veterans in March.

One player the team could target is defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March. While the Seahawks did trade for Clowney before the 2019 season, he is expected to test the free-agent market.

In a recent piece by Pro Football Focus, Clowney was named the seventh-best available free agent in 2020 and the No. 1 defensive end target. Take a look at why PFF believes he could be in for a massive payday in a few months:

Clowney put up an 88.0 overall grade in 2018 — the highest mark of his career — and he followed up with an 87.3 grade after a trade to the Seahawks despite seeing his sack total drop from nine to three. Clowney has the 11th-best overall grade among all edge defenders since 2017, including the third-best mark against the run (91.3), but his pass-rush grade of 83.9 ranks just 25th among that same group.

While the Raiders are undoubtedly optimistic about their young defensive ends in Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby, the team lacks the superstar edge rusher that demands extra attention on every snap. Defensive line coach Rod Marinelli loves using waves of pass-rushers, but he’s always had one stud who does the heavy lifting as a pass rusher.

Targeting Clowney would seem kind of odd, considering the team didn’t pay Khalil Mack when he was holding out for an extension. But in this scenario, the Raiders would still get their elite edge rusher as well as acquiring two first-round picks.

Clowney is going to want to be paid like a star edge rusher, and he deserves it. If the Raiders are going to spend money in free agency, they might as well target elite players. Clowney should be on the shortlist of players the team visits with on the first day of free agency. If the Raiders were able to pull off the signing of Clowney, the Khalil Mack trade would look all the better for Jon Gruden.

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Raiders RB Josh Jacobs finishes second in ESPN’s rookie rankings

The Raiders had one of the most productive rookie classes in recent memory, getting solid to elite production out of players such as Clelin Ferrell, Trayvon Mullen, and Maxx Crosby. Even late-round picks such as Hunter Renfrow and Foster Moreau proved to be valuable contributors to the Raiders’ success this season.

But easily, the most productive rookie for the Raiders this season was running back Josh Jacobs. He was instantly inserted into the starting lineup, and he did not disappoint, totaling over 1,300 yards in 13 games.

In a recent article by ESPN, Jacobs was named the second-best rookie from the 2019 draft class, just behind No. 2 overall pick Nick Bosa. Here is the reasoning behind Jacobs’ ranking:

Jacobs missed the final three games of the season with a shoulder injury and a skin infection. But he still finished eighth in the league in rushing and led all rookies in yards on the ground, consistently breaking tackles and providing yards after contact.

If Jacobs can return to the field fully healthy in 2020, then he is a good bet to lead the league in rushing. The Raiders will bring back a veteran offensive line, and Jon Gruden will continue to feed his star tailback. Jacobs is in for a monster season in Las Vegas.

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Raiders take RB Josh Jacobs at No. 4 in re-draft of 2019 NFL draft

One of the fun things to do after every season is look back on a draft class to see which picks turned out to be steals and which ones are looking like busts. While it’s too early to label any pick a “bust” after a rookie season, it’s fair to wonder what a draft class might have looked like if the team selected someone else.

In a recent article by ESPN, 32 beat reporters redrafted the 2019 draft class after just one season. For the Raiders, the draft actually looked somewhat similar with the only big exception being the teams’ first pick at No. 4.

Instead of selecting defensive end Clelin Ferrell, ESPN beat writer Paul Gutierrez gave the Raiders Josh Jacobs with their first pick. Take a look at Gutierrez’s reasoning behind the pick:

Wait, didn’t the Raiders draft Jacobs at No. 24 overall in real life? Indeed. But Jacobs had such an impressive NFL debut — he rushed for 1,150 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games despite suffering a fractured right shoulder in Week 7 — that the Raiders cannot risk losing the bell-cow back to another team in this re-draft by waiting. Jacobs is a leading candidate for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year for a reason. — Paul Gutierrez

In terms of on-the-field production, it’s hard to argue against Jacobs going inside of the top-five picks. He accumulated over 1,300 total yards in 13 games and was arguably the Raiders’ best offensive player. Given that the Raiders selected him 20 picks later, the team has to feel great about that kind of value.

It is worth noting that three other Raiders’ draft picks were selected in the first round of ESPN’s redraft: Maxx Crosby (No. 17), Clelin Ferrell (No. 21), and Travon Mullen (No. 24).

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Raiders select Utah State QB Jordan Love in latest CBS Sports mock draft

Much like last year, the Raiders could be in the market for a quarterback in the NFL Draft if the right player is available. In 2019, it was rumored that Jon Gruden loved Kyler Murray, but he was selected with the No. 1 pick, which put him out of reach.

But with the 2020 draft class loaded with talent at the quarterback position, could the Raiders select their newest franchise quarterback with pick No. 12?

In a recent mock draft by Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports, he gave the Raiders Utah State quarterback Jordan Love with their first pick. Take a look at why Wilson believes the Raiders could be a perfect match for Love:

Jordan Love is coming off a forgettable 2019 season but his 2018 tape offers glimpses of just how good he can be. He’s drawn comparisons to Patrick Mahomes and if he has a strong Senior Bowl week he’ll have a chance to convince critics that he can play with more consistency at the next level. And if the Raiders are looking for a Plan B after Derek Carr before the move to Vegas, this could be it.

Love is one of the standout players at the 2020 Senior Bowl, so Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden will get to see him firsthand over the week. With a strong week in Mobile, Love could significantly improve his draft status ala Carson Wentz or Daniel Jones. And given all of his physical talent, he might interest Gruden just enough to pick him inside the top-15 selections in April’s draft.

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Patrick Mahomes No. 1 in 2019 NFL merchandise sales, Raiders RB Josh Jacobs third among rookies

Monday, the NFLPA released its top 50 players in terms of officially licensed merchandise sales. Both of the starting quarterbacks for the teams in the Super were high on that list; one in the top spot, the other just cracking the top 15.

Patrick Mahomes, whose heroics have helped put the Chiefs in the Super Bowl for the first time in 50 years, has jumped to number one overall in merch sales. Meanwhile, 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo came in at the 15th spot.

Here is the full Top-15:

1. Patrick Mahomes II, QB, Kansas City

2. Tom Brady, QB, New England

3. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas

4. Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland

5. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Cleveland

6. Khalil Mack, LB, Chicago

7. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay

8. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas

9. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

10. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Pittsburgh

11. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans

12. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore

13. Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia

14. Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle

15. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, San Francisco

You have to go down the list a ways to find the first Raiders player. We’ll just skip over Antonio Brown at No. 28 (the sales were tracked from March through November, so a lot of people lit their money on fire with that one), and move down to No. 37 Josh Jacobs.

Jacobs is the third-highest sales for any 2019 rookie behind Giants QB Daniel Jones (No. 27), and 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa (No. 29). The only other rookie to make the top 50 was Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew (42).

At pick No. 24 in the 2019 draft, Jacobs was the first running back taken. He went on to lead all rookies with 1150 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns in 13 games. He is the odds on favorite to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Derek Carr cracked the top 50 as well, coming in at No. 47.

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Could Raiders land QB Marcus Mariota in free agency?

Many suspect that the Raiders will make a change at quarterback this offseason. While Derek Carr has been solid over the last two seasons, it appears that the Raiders at least have an open mind about bringing in some competition at the quarterback position.

If the Raiders want to follow the Tennesee Titans model and bring in a somewhat proven quarterback to challenge their starter, it’s not inconceivable to think that Marcus Mariota could be a potential option.

Mariota was benched in favor of Ryan Tannehill this season, but there is still some possible upside left in the former Oregon quarterback. Mariota is only 26-years old and will be hitting the free-agent market in March. Considering that no one will likely view him as a plug-and-play starter, it’s reasonable to assume he could be had for cheap.

In a recent piece by Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report, the Raiders were named a potential destination for the former Heisman Trophy winner. Take a look at Moton’s thoughts about Mariota and the Raiders:

While Carr is an adequate quarterback who will likely open the 2020 season with the Raiders in Las Vegas, Mariota could give Gruden a viable backup option. Mariota’s ball-carrying capability, coupled with Gruden’s tendency to lean on a run-heavy attack, may spark discussion for a change at quarterback if Carr disappoints in his third year operating the offense.

Like many other quarterbacks, Mariota might greatly benefit from a change of scenery. While he’s had success in Tennesee, the fit just didn’t work and now he’s expected to hit the free-agent market.

Given his age, experience, and athletic ability, this might be the ideal backup to bring in to compete with Carr. Assuming the price is reasonable, the Raiders should have at least some interest in signing Mariota this offseason.

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5 players for Raiders fans to watch at the 2020 Senior Bowl

Raiders wire looks at 5 players that Raiders fans should pay attention to as Senior Bowl week is under way.

The Senior Bowl is upon us, which means the beginning of the draft season. The East/West shrine bowl is the teaser, but the Senior Bowl is where the day one and day two players reside. Last year this prestigious game produced ten first-round picks, and even more, talent is formulating out on mobile.

The Raiders took advantage last year and loaded up on senior bowl attendees such as Johnathan Abram, Foster Moreau, and Hunter Renfrow. Even added undrafted free agents like Keelan Doss and Alec Ingold, who all made impact year one.

Could year this be the same for the Raiders scouting department. Going by the position of need, I look at the 5 players for Raiders fans to watch at the Senior Bowl.

Malik Harrison, ILB Ohio State

The Raiders linebacker position last decade was awful, and that is being polite. The best linebacker of the decade was maybe Nick Roach, and this position finally has to be addressed. A player who could be around day 2 is Malik Harrison from Ohio state.

what's scarier, Chase Young flying at you or Malik Harrison lowering his shoulder at you? pic.twitter.com/lnxhQ0Bxti

— Land-Grant Holy Land (@Landgrant33) October 19, 2019

Harrison is a true senior and started the last 26 games for the Ohio State defense. In 2019, the senior linebacker finished with 16.5 tackles for loss and was a leader for the whole group. He has good instincts and understands how to read his defensive lineman and fill holes.

A sure tackler, Harrison does a great job of wrapping it and can lay the wood as well, adding attitude to the position. He has the speed for coverage skills, but the Buckeyes defense didn’t ask him to cover much one on one, making his ability to cover a pure projection. However, Harrison is an immediate upgrade over the Raiders linebacking corps in 2019.

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