Category: Raiders buzz

With the 2019 regular season officially coming to a close, it’s time to look back on the year and hand out some awards. This week, Pro Football Focus named their All-Rookie Team, which included two Oakland Raiders.

The first was running back Josh Jacobs, who was dynamic all season long. In 13 games, he tallied over 1,300 total yards and seven touchdowns. Take a look at what the site had to say about the former Alabama running back during his rookie season:

Jacobs’ performance as a runner this season wasn’t only tops among rookies, it was one of the best performances of any running back in the NFL. Among all players with 100 or more carries, Jacobs’ 86.9 rushing grade trailed only Lamar Jackson and Nick Chubb. That largely stemmed from just how difficult he was to bring down. Jacobs forced a league-high 69 missed tackles on 242 rushing attempts, and his 3.5 rushing yards after contact per attempt was tied for fifth at the position. You’d like to see his involvement in the passing game increase, but all in all, it was an outstanding debut for the rookie out of Alabama.

Next up was tight end Foster Moreau, who had a fantastic season despite playing behind Darren Waller. Moreau was used mostly as a blocker, but he was able to find success in the red zone, catching five touchdowns in 13 games this season. Take a look at what Pro Football Focus said about Moreau’s rookie season:

The rookie tight end class wasn’t the deepest group to pull from, but Moreau ended the season as the best of the bunch in PFF overall grade on his 373 offensive snaps. He wasn’t featured as a receiver for Oakland, taking a clear back seat to Darren Waller, but he was effective in the opportunities that did come his way. Moreau’s receiving grade was north of 80.0 behind 21 catches on 23 targets for 174 yards and five touchdowns. He was particularly effective in the red zone, catching all seven of his targets inside the 20-yard line — including two contested catches and all five of his touchdowns.

As for snubs, you can make a strong case that defensive Maxx Crosby should have made the list. However, both Nick Bosa and Josh Allen certainly have strong cases, as well. Overall, the Raiders have to be thrilled with the amount of production they got from their rookie class in 2019.

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It’s no secret that the Raiders need to address the wide receiver position this offseason. While Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow both had their moments this season, neither project as players who will ever become true No. 1 receivers.

Luckily for the Raiders, the team is going to be in a great position to draft a future No. 1 receiver in 2020. Along with two top-20 selections, the 2020 draft projects as one of the strongest wide receiver drafts in recent memory.

Among the best players at the position is Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy. Jeudy is arguably the best receiver in the draft, recording nearly 2,500 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns. In 2018, he won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as he was the nations’ top receiver.

Jeudy doesn’t have great size (listed at 6’1, 192 pounds), but he has outstanding play speed and his ability to win from the slot and on the outside as many intrigued. He’s also only 20-years old with two incredible years of production in the SEC. Considering his resume, it’s not hard to make a case for him as the top receiver in the 2020 draft.

Everything about Jeudy says he should be a top-10 pick, but with this being one of the deepest wide receiver drafts in recent memory, teams picking ahead of the Raiders may opt to wait to address their receiver need. If that is the case, the Raiders would love to see Jeudy fall to them at No. 12.

Jeudy would be an ideal fit in Jon Gruden’s offense and would instantly be their best receiver. Expect him to be on the shortlist of players the team considers at pick No. 12.

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Clelin Ferrell had an up-and-down rookie season with the Oakland Raiders. For being the No. 4 pick in the 2019 draft, it’s easy to be slightly disappointed with his rookie season. Ferrell started 15 games for the Raiders, recording eight tackles for a loss and only 4.5 sacks.

Ferrell knows he must be better in 2020 as the team is relying on him and fellow rookie Maxx Crosby to create a pass rush. In a recent interview with Vic Tafur of The Athletic, Ferrell promised that he would be a “different” player in 2020:

“I’m just excited for the offseason,” Ferrell said. “When I come back, I will probably be a completely different player … You probably won’t even recognize me. Seriously.”

— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) January 1, 2020

The most encouraging thing for Raiders’ fans has to be Ferrell’s progression throughout the season. He was significantly better in the team’s final eight games of the year, improving as a run defender and a pass rusher.

If Ferrell can continue to improve, then the Raiders could be set at defensive end for years to come. His progression over the offseason will be one of the big storylines to watch as the Raiders get ready for the 2020 season.

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Last week the Raiders broke a 4-game losing streak with a win in Los Angeles over the Chargers. In the final week of the season, they looked to put back-to-back wins on the board and in turn finish the season with a .500 record. They even came into the game with a chance at the playoffs.

Twice in the early going, the Raiders drove into scoring range and came away with no points. And by the start of the fourth quarter, they were down 16-3. From there, they somehow managed to claw back in it, with the help of the Broncos shooting themselves in a foot a couple times to even things up a bit.

With a chance to tie it with a point after attempt or win it with a 2-point conversion, Jon Gruden opted to go for the win. The Titans had already won which meant the playoffs were out of the question, so why not try to win it in regulation. The pass attempt from Carr was batted down at the line and the Raiders season ended on a low note, with them losing five of their last six to finish 7-9.

Let’s look at who went out with a bang, and who with a whimper:

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No player in the NFL had a bigger breakout season than Darren Waller of the Oakland Raiders. After multiple suspensions and a position switch, Waller became one of the best tight ends and one of the most unstoppable receivers in the NFL.

He finished the season with 90 receptions for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns as he was the team’s leading receiver. Below is every reception of at least 20 yards by Waller during the 2019 season:

Every Darren Waller catch for 20+ yards in 2019#Raiders #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/7GAXxmHO1E

— Marc John (@TheMarcJohnNFL) December 31, 2019

If the Raiders can find Waller some help at receiver this offseason, there is no reason he can’t improve on these numbers in 2020. His best football is still ahead of him and that should be a terrifying thought for defensive coordinators across the NFL.

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Over the next several months, there are going to hundreds of mock drafts that we read and discuss. However, one common theme in mocks so far is that the Raiders are targeting linebacker help at pick No. 12. That leaves pick No. 19 open for the team to find a receiver, which is their second-biggest need.

In a recent Draft Wire mock draft, the Raiders selected Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins with the No. 19 pick. Take a look at the explanation behind the pick and why he would make sense with the Raiders:

After the Antonio Brown debacle, the Raiders are still in need of a dynamic pass-catcher who can take the top off opposing defenses and also make plays at every level of the field. Higgins has a rare combination of size, length, athleticism and body control that would make him the perfect fit.

Higgins is a big-bodied player who fits the mold of a No. 1 receiver in the NFL. Through 14 games this season, he has caught 56 passes for 1,115 yards and 13 touchdowns. While his long speed might be a question mark entering the NFL, it wouldn’t be a big problem in Jon Gruden’s offense.

Higgins is one of the many receivers that Raiders’ fans should keep an eye on over the next few months. Considering the team’s need at the position and their love for players from Clemson, don’t be surprised if Higgins is one of the Raiders’ first-round picks come April.

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When the Raiders traded away Khalil Mack before the start of the 2018 season, it seemed like the team was going to have to wait years before they found suitable pass-rush help. But it appears the Raiders have already found their next stud pass rusher in defensive end, Maxx Crosby.

Despite not starting the season due to a broken hand, Crosby finished the year with 16 tackles for a loss, 14 quarterback hits, and 10 sacks. Obviously, all those numbers are impressive, but it’s the sack total that is the most surprising.

Typically, rookie pass rushers take awhile to adjust to the NFL game. That is even truer for non-first round picks and/or small school players. Guys like Crosby just don’t produce at a high rate very often in their first season in the NFL. To prove that point, take a look at every player who has recorded at least 10 sacks during their rookie season this decade:

Aldon Smith (14) – 2011

Bradley Chubb (12) – 2018 

Von Miller (11.5) – 2011

Josh Allen (10.5) – 2019

Joey Bosa (10.5) – 2016

Maxx Crosby (10) – 2019

Ndamukong Suh (10) – 2010

Of the seven players on this list, Crosby is the only non-first round pick to have this level of success. In fact, you’ll notice that the other six players who recorded 10 or more sacks as a rookie were all top-10 picks in their respective drafts.

If Clelin Ferrell can start producing like a top-10 pick, the Raiders could have a scary pass rush in the near future. Crosby looks like he is well on his way to becoming one of the best pass rushers in the league. And considering where the Raiders drafted him, Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden have to be smiling from ear to ear about their new star edge rusher.

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Approaching the end of November the Raiders were 6-4 on the season, coming off three straight wins, all at home. Then they headed out on a two-game road trip, starting in New York and then to Kansas City to lead out December. They ended December in Denver and ended the season losing five of their last six games. The only win coming over the Chargers in front of a very Raiders fan heavy crowd in Los Angeles.

What happened to this team that ten games in was neck and neck for the AFC West title and looking like a sure bet to punch their ticket to the playoffs? Gruden offered a theory.

“I think the cold weather is one thing,” Gruden said attempting to explain the late season collapse. “We got to prove that we can exercise that demon. We got to play better in bad weather. I remember when I went to Tampa Bay and we hadn’t won a game in the history of the franchise in temperatures that were below 40 degrees. And every single game we played, that’s all we heard. And we’re going to continue to hear it until we prove as a west coast team that we can go out on a cold day and win.”

That’s an interesting theory. It’s also interesting considering the inability to win in cold weather was a big criticism Derek Carr was receiving.

Carr is 1-10 all time in temperatures 45 degrees or below. It was 43 degrees and raining in the 34-3 drubbing the Raiders took in New York, 36 degrees in Carr’s personal house of horrors; Arrowhead in Kansas City, and 31 degrees in Denver. The offense scored a total of 27 points in those games.

The defense doesn’t get off the hook either. They gave up 74 combined points in New York and Kansas City.

Gruden values toughness above all else. He often talks about how impressed he is when players are able to fight through injuries to get on the field. The term ‘Gruden Grinder’ isn’t just a clever use of alliteration. It means something. If he thinks his players aren’t able to perform at a high level in inclement weather, that’s a big deal to him.

“We got to get wins on the road and we got to look forward to playing when it’s hot, when it’s cold, when it’s nasty and when it’s awful. You got to learn to love the misery,” Gruden continued. “Maybe we got to leave on a Wednesday next year and get acclimated to it. I’m not making any excuses, but that’s one thing that’s pretty obvious and noticeable. We got to play better in lousy weather. We got to play better period, in all three phases.”

In 2020, the Raiders will have a cozy domes stadium in Vegas. But they will still be traveling to New York, New England, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Denver. More than one of those games figures to be in the cold latter part of the season, so if the weather is really the issue, they have got to get a handle on that.

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Another losing record for the Raiders and another season with the offense and the defense both finishing among the bottom ten in the league in points. One season of that can often cause ‘heads to roll’. Two seasons seems an even more sure bet changes are on the way.

And yet a day after the season, when head coach Jon Gruden was asked whether the entire coaching staff would be back, his first response was ‘That’s the plan.”

That’s a yes… sort of. It’s a non-committal yes. Gruden finished the thought with “There’s a lot of things that come up, some of these guys are going to be offered jobs, so I’m going to treat it all today by saying that we’ll see what happens. We’ll do what’s right and what’s best for our team.”

Yes, there is a chance coaches on the staff could be poached by other clubs. But keep in mind, if it isn’t for a promotion, the Raiders can just say no.

The one coach who has drawn the most criticism from media and fans is Defensive Coordinator Paul Guenther. The defense has purged points, and opposing offense have seemed to take what they want whenever they need it.

While the defense is getting plenty of blame, the offense wasn’t any better. Both units finished 24th in the league in points and the team finished 21st in the league with a -2 turnover ratio.

As of right now, just a day after the season is over, Gruden may not see any greener grass, but with some time to reflect and some moves made by other teams, that could also change his perspective. His wording certainly leaves things wide open for new plans. Words like “there’s a lot of things that come up” and “We’ll do what’s right and what’s best for our team.”

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