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 20-16 on the Raiders’ roster heading into the 2020 season.
20. S Johnathan Abram (23)
We haven’t seen much from Abram. He looked great in training camp and preseason and the one game in which he appeared. He would injure his shoulder in the season opener and be placed on injured reserve. Still, the Raiders expect big things from their 2019 first-round pick.
19. ED Clelin Ferrell (22)
It was a slow start to his NFL career for the 4th overall pick. You barely noticed him over the first part of last season. Later in the season, he started to show up, both in the run game and rushing the passer. Six of his eight QB hits came down the stretch, as did 3.5 of his 4.5 sacks.
Ferrell may or may not ever live up to his draft status, but we know from his college tape that he can be better than we saw from him as a rookie. And with the way he finished the season, his arrow is pointing up.
18. CB Trayvon Mullen (22)
Mullen wasn’t the starter early on as a rookie. He had to wait for his time to come. That time came when Gruden didn’t like how the secondary was performing and traded away one of the only pieces he had that carried value. Former first-round pick Gareon Conley was sent to Houston for a third-round pick, opening the door for Mullen.
It wasn’t instant success for Mullen. He struggled mightily in his first few games. But he put together some solid starts late in the season and cemented himself as the starter. Meanwhile, the team didn’t re-sign Daryl Worley as they look for someone to complement Mullen on the other side.
17. WR Hunter Renfrow (24)
No Raiders rookie finished the 2019 season stronger than Hunter Renfrow. The fifth rounder earned the phrase “Third and Renfrow” and put his first AND second 100-yard performances in the last two games of the season. And when I say his first 100-yard performance, I mean EVER. At ANY level. He is the man in the slot for the Raiders for the foreseeable future.
16. QB Marcus Mariota (26)
As of right now, Mariota is the team’s backup quarterback. But he was given a contract that says he will be given every opportunity to step up and take the job from Derek Carr. Mariota is a former No.2 overall pick who, prior to last season, had three straight seasons with a winning record. This despite having five different offensive coordinators in five NFL seasons.
Last season, Mariota got off to a 2-4 start and lost his starting job to Ryan Tannehill, who had been given up for dead by the Dolphins. Sometimes it’s all about fit. Tannehill is a better fit for the Titans offense. Mariota is a great fit for Gruden’s offense, so it will be interesting to see what happens.
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