Tag: Las Vegas Raiders

Could the Raiders target Pro Bowl DT Chris Jones in free agency?

Could the Raiders target Pro Bowl DT Chris Jones in free agency?

Much like last year, the Raiders are going to be aggressive in free agency. With more than $65 million in cap space, the team could very well target several top-tier players to improve the quality of their team.

However, deciding on which positions to use their cap space and on which players will prove to be a difficult task. The depth of his free-agent class is at offensive guard and defensive tackle, both of which don’t appear to be significant needs for the Raiders. But if there is elite talent available, you can bet that Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden will be interested.

In a recent article by Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report, he predicted that the Raiders will use some of their excess cap space on Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones. Take a look at why Moton thinks Jones would be a perfect fit in the Raiders’ defense:

At defensive tackle, Johnathan Hankins, Maurice Hurst and P.J. Hall have been a solid trio. None of them provides a threat to the quarterback like Chris Jones, though. In 2018, Jones finished third leaguewide in sacks (15.5). During the 2019 campaign, he missed three games with a groin injury but still recorded nine sacks and eight tackles for loss. Those numbers top those of each of the Raiders’ interior defenders. The interior of the front line isn’t the Raiders’ biggest need; however, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther would finally have an interior tackle who could wreck the pocket as Geno Atkins did for him in Cincinnati.

With Paul Gunehter and Rod Marinelli now leading the defense, the three-technique defensive tackle spot is the most important position on the unit. That player needs to win one-on-one matchups to create a pass-rush. While Maurice Hurst and P.J. Hall are both young, ascending players, neither have the upside or track record of someone like Jones.

If the Raiders want to continue to beef up their defensive line with talent, Jones would be a fantastic get for them, if he hits the free-agent market. Look for several teams to be interested in the former Mississippi State star in free agency.

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Raiders select WR CeeDee Lamb in first NFL.com mock draft

Raiders select WR CeeDee Lamb in first NFL.com mock draft

Mock draft season is upon us and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com is the last draft pundit to take a shot at predicting the first 32 picks of the first round. In his first mock draft of the 2020 draft season, he had the Raiders selecting wide receiver CeeDee Lamb at pick No. 12, followed by LSU linebacker Patrick Queen.

Considering the needs of the Raiders, selecting a wide receiver and a linebacker in the first round is going to be fairly common. However, the order in which that happens will be very important.

It seems unlikely like there will be a top-flight linebacker at pick No. 12, but the same can’t be said for wide receiver. More than likely, one of Jerry Jeudy or CeeDee Lamb will be available at that spot and both project as instant starters from Day 1. If the Raiders opt to wait until pick No. 19, their options of potential No. 1 receivers will be more scarce.

As for linebackers, there appear to be two players battling it out to be the next player picked behind Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons. Those two players are Kenneth Murray and Patrick Queen. Both are ultra-athletic linebackers who can run from sideline to sideline to make plays. Both have to be considered potential targets for the Raiders in the first round.

Overall, a haul of CeeDee Lamb and Patrick Queen would make a lot of sense for the Raiders in the first round as it would fill positions of need and give the team more speed that they are desperately lacking. For a January mock draft, this is a pretty good outcome for the Raiders if this were to play out.

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NFL announces locations of 2020 draft events in Las Vegas

NFL announces locations of 2020 draft events in Las Vegas

The NFL Draft is headed to Las Vegas this year and with thousands of people set to descend on the strip, the league today announced the location of the draft events for fans scheduled for April 23-25, 2020, the NFL announced today.

The Draft heads to Las Vegas for the first time in celebration of the Raiders first season to be played at the state of the art Allegiant Stadium.

The celebration includes an NFL Draft Red Carpet, NFL Draft Main Stage and NFL Draft Experience along with free activities and live entertainment and performances, bringing a new level of excitement to the NFL Draft that only Las Vegas could provide.

Using the backdrop of the iconic Vegas Strip, the NFL Draft Main Stage will be constructed next to the Caesars Forum. Fans are invited to gather at the Draft Main Stage viewing zone to watch the first-round selections on Night 1 (Thursday), Rounds 2-3 on Night 2 (Friday), and Rounds 4-7 on Day 3 (Saturday).

The NFL Draft Experience will be free and open to fans at the following times:

» Thursday, April 23: Noon — 9 p.m. PT or the end of round one

» Friday, April 24: Noon — 9 p.m. PT or the end of round three

» Saturday, April 25: 9 a.m. — 6 p.m. PT or the end of round seven

Fans interested in receiving NFL Draft updates can register at NFL.com/2020Draft/Interest.

Visit NFL.com/2020Draft for all the latest NFL Draft updates and announcements.

All three days of the NFL Draft will be broadcast on NFL Network, ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ABC — including two nights of primetime coverage on Thursday and Friday

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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?

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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