The first step in attacking any season is free agency. That’s when the team has to decide who to bring back and who to bring on. 2020 was a busy free agent period for the Raiders, so let’s rank their additions.
WR Nelson Agholor
They took a flyer on this former top pick receiver to give their receiving corps some depth. He ended up earning a starting job and was the team’s top wide receiver. It was a one-year deal though, so they now must think about whether to bring him back. He certainly earned a lucrative deal from some team.
Grade: A
S Jeff Heath
Though he didn’t start initially, he went about his work as a key reserve and special teamer and earned a starting job late in the season. Despite just five starts, he led the team with three interceptions. He will return on a friendly deal next season.
Grade: B
LB Nick Kwiatkoski
Though he missed four starts, the defense was better off with him than without it. It’s saying something that he could come in with no offseason and wear the green dot considering how notoriously complicated Paul Guenther’s playbook can be.
Grade: B
QB Marcus Mariota
Though he played just three quarters in a loss, he proved he was worth being a well paid backup and potential starter. And had Derek Carr’s groin injury been more serious, Mariota would have been their best hope of making a run at the playoffs. He can either return on an even better salary as solid insurance or opt out of the second year of his deal and test the market healthy and with some renewed confidence.
Grade: B-
RB DeVontae Booker
When he was signed in May, he didn’t appear to have any better shot at the roster than any other running back not named Josh Jacobs. Then he played himself into the number two running back job, running for 423 yards while averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
Grade: B-
DE Carl Nassib
For whatever reason Nassib was a healthy scratch for two games late in the season. When he returned to the lineup, he really made you wonder why the team would take him off the field during such a crucial stretch of the season. Though so far he has not played up the level of a player making over $8 million per season.
Grade: C
LB Cory Littleton
Arguably the most disappointing addition for this team because he was their top free agent signing on a three-year, $35 million deal. He was considered one of the best all-around linebackers in the league last season. None of that player showed up. He showed flashes in the season finale and the hope is that a new DC can get the best out of him.
Grade: D
DT Maliek Collins
Last season Collins had 48 pressures. He looked like the answer to the Raiders’ prayers for interior pass rush. And he was not. He had zero sacks, one QB hit, and 15 combined tackles in 11 starts.
Grade: F
TE Jason Witten
Signing Witten was a head-scratcher from the moment it happened. For a team with the needs it had, especially on defense, the six million Witten received was far better spent elsewhere. He appeared in all 16 games with seven starts and caught just 13 passes for 69 yards (not nice) and two touchdowns. Mostly what he did was take snaps away from promising second-year tight end Foster Moreau who caught seven passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns. They like to say Witten provided invaluable veteran leadership, but I’m not really buying it. More likely a solid for a fellow TV guy so he could set the new record for games played by a tight end.
Grade: F
Incomplete:
DT Daniel Ross – Played in five games before being released.
G Eric Kush – Landed on IR prior to the season and was waived.
TE Nick O’Leary — Spent the entire season on the non-football illness list.
S Damarious Randall – Was brought in as competition in camp and lost. Left behind $1.5 million in dead money.
CB Prince Amukamara – At one time was thought to be the frontrunner to start and then didn’t make the team. Spent last season on the Cardinals’ practice squad.