Bold Predictions for Raiders' Individual Stat Leaders in 2022 NFL Season

The Las Vegas Raiders have big expectations in 2022, which is understandable. They made the postseason last year and have added new standout pieces like pass-rusher Chandler Jones and receiver Davante Adams.

"I want to get that trophy at the end of the year," Adams told The Pivot podcast (h/t Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal).

With the preseason complete and Week 1 just over a week away, we're here to examine a few expectations of our own, of the statistical variety. However, we're not here to merely predict the team's top performers: Is it really a stretch to say Adams will lead Las Vegas in receiving or Derek Carr will lead the team in passing?

Instead, you'll find a few bold predictions about what some of the Raiders' biggest stars and projected statistical leaders will accomplish in 2022.

Davante Adams Will Lead NFL in Touchdown Receptions

WR Davante Adams will be just as potent with his new team. (Chris Unger/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 14: Wide receiver Davante Adams #17 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up before a preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at Allegiant Stadium on August 14, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

The Raiders acquired Adams from the Green Bay Packers and immediately gave him a new five-year, $140 million extension.

His new contract isn't surprising, as he's coming off of five consecutive Pro Bowl campaigns and back-to-back All-Pro seasons. It's fair to wonder, though, if he can be as productive now that he's away from Green Bay and MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Of course, he can.

By trading for the 29-year-old, the Raiders have reunited him with Carr, his college quarterback at Fresno State. It may take a little time for the two to rekindle their chemistry, but they made magic in college.

During the 2013 season, Adams caught 131 passes for 1,718 yards and a whopping 24 touchdowns. He hauled in 38 touchdown receptions in just two seasons with Carr under center.

The bold prediction here is that Adams is again a touchdown machine with Carr on the other end of his receptions. He finished fifth in the NFL with 11 touchdown catches last season but led the league with 18 touchdown receptions in 2020.

This year, Adams won't just be Las Vegas' leading receiver, but he'll also lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns once again.

Stat Prediction: 108 receptions, 1,290 yards, 16 TDs

Zamir White Is the Starting Running Back by Season's End

Is Zamir White the Raiders RB of the future? (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots, Friday, Aug. 26, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

The Raiders recently released running back Kenyan Drake, which should open up opportunities for depth players like Brandon Bolden and rookie fourth-round pick Zamir White. Going into the season, though, Josh Jacobs should remain the starter.

We expect Jacobs to lead the Raiders in rushing in 2022 as well. However, it's going to be a committee approach, and we don't expect him to be leading that committee by season's end. We also don't expect him to be Las Vegas' leading backfield scorer.

The reality is that Las Vegas isn't sold on the 2019 first-round pick. If it was, the team would have exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. It didn't. But the Raiders did use a Day 3 selection on White, a bruising ball-carrier out of Georgia.

The 22-year-old quickly showed his skills during the preseason. In the Hall of Fame Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he rushed for 52 yards on 11 carries while catching three passes for 23 yards. He found the end zone in Las Vegas' third and fourth preseason games.

"This guy just plays hard, he loves football," Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said, per Levi Edwards of the team's official website. "You saw how he finishes runs. He's a physical player, he's a tough guy. He adds that element to our team and he's unselfish."

Expect the Raiders to use multiple backs, as McDaniels typically did as the New England Patriots offensive coordinator. Jacobs will lead that committee initially, but White will take over as "the guy" before his first year is complete.

Stat Predictions:

Jacobs: 780 rushing yards, 410 receiving yards, 7 combined TDs

White: 740 rushing yards, 280 receiving yards, 9 combined TDs

Maxx Crosby Will Outpace Chandler Jones

Expect Maxx Crosby to lead the Raiders in sacks. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 04: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders walks off the field as severe weather delays the start of the 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 04, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

Jones was Las Vegas' other big addition this offseason alongside Adams. He signed a three-year, $51 million deal to join the Raiders in free agency. He'll replace 2021 Raiders sack leader Yannick Ngakoue as the primary complement to Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby.

Ngakoue was traded to the Indianapolis Colts this offseason.

Last season, Jones tallied 10.5 sacks with the Arizona Cardinals. One might think he'll replace Ngakoue as the Raiders' sack leader—Ngakoue had 10 sacks last season. The bold prediction here is that he doesn't.

Jones, a four-time Pro Bowler, is a bigger name than Ngakoue. However, he isn't necessarily a significant upgrade. Though he did play two fewer games than Ngakoue last season, Jones had a half-sack more and the same number of quarterback pressures. Ngakoue had 36 pressures. So did Jones.

Instead, we expect Jones' high profile to command attention and to open things up for Crosby. The first-time Pro Bowler only logged eight sacks in 2021, but he had an impressive 42 quarterback pressures.

With Jones opposite him, expect Crosby to see more pressures lead to quarterback takedowns. Jones will be a valuable addition, but Crosby will be the defender who reaps the biggest statistical reward.

Stat Predictions:

Crosby: 55 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss

Jones: 42 tackles, 11 sacks, 13 tackles for loss