Hot Takes for Davante Adams, More Raiders Stars Ahead of Training Camp
The Las Vegas Raiders were clearly not content just sliding into the playoffs at 10-7 in 2021.
The Raiders made big moves to make the 2022 team even better. They went out and hired Josh McDaniels and a whole new front office that traded for Davante Adams and Rock Ya-Sin, signed Chandler Jones and gave Derek Carr a contract extension to keep the quarterback in Sin City.
It leaves a lot of excitement and mystery for the franchise going into the new season.
On paper, they are a much-improved team. But sometimes things that look good on paper don't translate to the field.
Here are some bold predictions as to how the biggest stars on the team are going to fare next season.
Davante Adams Continues All-Pro Streak
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Brett Favre recently made headlines when he weighed in on Davante Adams' move to Las Vegas. The former Packers quarterback told TMZ Sports that he expects a drop-off from the All-Pro receiver in 2022.
Favre pointed to the perceived downgrade from Aaron Rodgers to Derek Carr, saying that Adams' college quarterback was "not in the same league" as Rodgers.
There's no denying that Rodgers has been more prolific than Carr. He's a four-time MVP and Super Bowl winner.
However, the argument Favre is making cuts both ways. Adams may be downgrading at quarterback, but he's also going from having few other good receivers playing beside him to having Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller threatening defenses as well.
With Marquez Valdes-Scantling as the next best receiver on the Packers last season, Adams was a top-five receiver against press coverage last season and third in yards per route run, per Next Gen Stats.
Adams has been named an All-Pro in back-to-back seasons. Carr is good enough to make sure he earns the honor for the third year in a row.
Maxx Crosby Will Finish Top-Five in Sacks
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Maxx Crosby doesn't always get the respect he deserves, but that started to turn in 2021. He was an All-Pro selection (second team) for the first time in his career.
While Crosby only had eight sacks (32nd in the league), it was a well-deserved honor. Crosby might not have always finished the play, but he finished 10th in pass-rush win rate, per ESPN, and led the league in total pressures, per Next Gen Stats.
Sack totals are typically the gaudy number that gets edge-defenders recognized, but it's hardly the best tool for measuring a player's impact.
Crosby got little support from the interior of the defensive line. That should change with the additions of Vernon Butler, Bilal Nichols and rookies Neil Farrell and Matthew Butler.
Chandler Jones will be as good if not better a running mate than Yannick Ngakoue.
Crosby is already in line for some sack regression based on his pressure rate. The overall improvement of the defensive front should help him as it will be more difficult for teams to focus their blocking schemes on slowing him down.
Don't be shocked if Crosby smashes his previous career-high of 10 sacks.
Derek Carr Leads the League in Passing Yards
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Right now, Derek Carr is listed at 9-1 odds to lead the league in passing at DraftKings Sportsbook.
That's a wager worth looking at.
The 31-year-old finished fifth in passing yards last season with just over 4,800 and roughly 500 behind Tom Brady.
That was with Carr throwing to Hunter Renfrow as his only consistent receiver last season. Darren Waller missed six games with an injury last season. Bryan Edwards and Zay Jones were the next top receivers, and the Raiders were comfortable with both playing elsewhere.
Now he gets a healthy Davante Adams, Waller and the steady Renfrow. The additions of Demarcus Robinson and Keelan Cole should help replace Edwards and Jones' production.
The offensive line is a concern. Carr was sacked 40 times last season, and the front five is not guaranteed to be any better this season.
However, that could actually lead to even more passing opportunities for Carr. If the offensive line can't open up run lanes, the Raiders could be even more pass-heavy given their new weapons.
That could lead to the best season yet for Carr.
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