Raiders 2015 Preview: Complete Oakland Guide for Preseason, Season
Raider Nation is only 39 days away from seeing a new and improved Oakland Raiders team kick off the season in its home opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Thus far, the electricity around training camp has reflected a renewed energy from the top of the organization down to the players. General manager Reggie McKenzie acknowledged this Raider resurgence on Monday, per Oakland Tribune writer Jerry McDonald:
"Y’all can’t tell? It’s obvious. I think we’re big and strong. I think we’re fast. I like the way the players are responding to the coaches. The energy is off the chain. It’s looking the way I like it to look.
Players are flying around, going in the right directions. It’s been a competitive camp. I mean every position. These guys are feeling it. It’s going to bring out the best in each and every one of them.
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As McKenzie noted, the coaching staff continues to promote fierce competition between teammates in preparation for the regular season. It’s one of the two themes head coach Jack Del Rio harped on from the minute he became head coach.
The second theme was a "calculated swagger" highlighted by physicality, a vision Del Rio shared via SiriusXM NFL Radio (h/t CSNCalifornia.com)
Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. echoed Del Rio's desire to see the Raiders play hard and smart during his open press conference Monday. According to ESPN’s Bill Williamson, Norton aims to remodel the Raiders defense as a replica of the Seattle Seahawks defense, which he served as the linebackers coach for the last five seasons.
The offensive upgrades look promising on paper and at training camp. Quarterback Derek Carr enters his second year under center with the top wide receiver in the 2015 draft, Amari Cooper.
Carr and veteran wide receiver Michael Crabtree forged an early bond on the field, linking up on several pass plays that wowed spectators, per Silver and Black Pride's Levi Damien. More importantly, Carr can lean on a young, developing running back in Latavius Murray.
How much of this offseason optimism will translate into success in 2015? Let’s examine the remaining crucial parts of the Raiders' year, starting with the preseason and ending with closing statements on the regular season.
Preseason Schedule
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| Date/Time | Game |
Aug. 14, 7 p.m PT | Oakland Raiders vs. St. Louis Rams |
Aug. 22, 5 p.m PT | Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings |
Aug. 30, 5 p.m PT | Oakland Raiders vs. Arizona Cardinals |
Sept. 3, 7 p.m PT | Oakland Raiders at Seattle Seahawks |
Preseason Goals
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Establishing the No. 2 Cornerback
As presumed, cornerback Keith McGill has continued to take first-team reps, per CSNBayArea.com's Scott Bair.
“The Raiders have McGill running with the first unit in training camp, a move dated back to a mandatory minicamp in mid-June.”
Some people dismissed the possibility of McGill holding onto his starting spot, but the configuration remains viable as Norton continues to mold the Raiders defense after his previous team in Seattle.
McGill has made a strong case for a starting job, but Del Rio explains it’s far from over as the top three cornerbacks compete during training camp, per Bair:
"We feel like we have a good, young group of corners. We want them to be competitive and let them sort it out. Keith has had a solid spring. DJ and TJ, all three of those guys, we feel like they had good springs and will be productive players for us and we’ll let them determine who’s No. 1, who’s No. 2 and who’s No. 3.
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The No. 2 cornerback position should be decided by the third preseason game, when both McGill and Hayden will have faced solid in-game competition. McGill has very little experience on the field. He took just 147 snaps in his rookie year, per Pro Football Focus.
A solid start to the preseason should solidify his spot in the starting lineup or prove he’s still too raw to matchup against starting wide receivers.
The Khalil Mack Experiment
Outside linebacker Khalil Mack may be referred to as a defensive end by the end of the year.
Andy Benoit of MMQB has mentioned (via Twitter) Mack could be a potential top-three defensive end in 2015. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport said (via Twitter) the Raiders proverbial Mack truck could target the quarterback on virtually every down.
Norton should experiment with the 3-4 or simply move Mack to defensive end to maximize his impact.
During the preseason, all eyes should be fixed on Mack as he changes the outlook of this defense. The design of the defensive front will revolve around his playmaking ability.
Allow Carr to Exercise His Arm
Many of Carr’s detractors highlight the fact that he played most of his rookie year in check-down mode and didn’t show much ability to make big plays—primarily because of a lack of weapons around him.
These accusations hold truth. Carr threw away 24 passes, which ranked fifth-most in the league, and threw for an average 5.5 yards per pass attempt, per PFF.
Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave must take the training wheels off his second-year quarterback and allow him to stretch the field and find his new targets. The Raiders poured a lot of money into improving their offense with the additions of wide receivers Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, Josh Harper and tight end Clive Walford.
A good quarterback can make something out of nothing, but a great quarterback maximizes the talent around him. Carr must accomplish more this season with the wealth of talent at his disposal. He won the starting job last year during the preseason and should aim to make strides during the 2015 preseason.
Preparing the Right Side of the Offensive Line
Continuity is the key to fielding a strong offensive line. The Raiders must identify their starting right guard and right tackle as soon as possible to get the best five linemen working in harmony.
Right now, J’Marcus Webb and Menelik Watson project as the front-runners for the two starting positions, per Bair: “Right guard J’Marcus Webb, a career tackle, showed some surprising athleticism pulling in the running game. He’s been a fixture on the first team, alongside right tackle Menelik Watson”
Khalif Barnes has been lauded for his duty as a utility swing lineman and should occupy that position behind the starter. Webb’s track record doesn’t suggest he’s an ideal starter, but his transition to guard could yield better results. Austin Howard’s prior experience and $30 million contract make him an alternate option at right guard, pending the result of his offseason battle with Watson at right tackle.
In any case, offensive line coach Mike Tice must establish stability, regardless of the combination on the right side of the line.
Implementing Marcel Reece
Earlier in the offseason, speculation about Marcel Reece’s role within offense grew with news of Musgrave’s intention to eliminate the fullback role. According to ESPN's Bill Williamson, ESPN scout Matt Williamson suggested Reece would make plays as an H-back, a role similar to Bills tight end Charles Clay's when he was with the Miami Dolphins.
In an intriguing development, a more svelte Reece returned to camp, per the San Francisco Chronicle's Vic Tafur via Twitter. The coaching staff remains tight-lipped about Reece’s role, likely because it’s a trial-and-error approach going forward.
Reece accumulated 175 receptions and 173 rush attempts in six years, getting an even workload in carrying and catching the ball. However, there's been frustration over the low volume of his touches. The Raiders must find a way to utilize his talents or risk burying his production, yet again.
53-Man Depth Chart
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| Offense | ||||
| Position | Starter | Reserve | Reserve | |
| Quarterback | Derek Carr | Christian Ponder | Matt McGloin | |
| Running Back | Latavius Murray | Michael Dyer | Roy Helu Jr. | |
| H-Back | Marcel Reece | |||
| Wide Receiver No. 1 | Amari Cooper | Rod Streater | Brice Butler | Austin Willis |
| Wide Receiver No. 2 | Michael Crabtree | Andre Holmes | Josh Harper | |
| Tight End | Clive Walford | Mychal Rivera | Lee Smith | |
| Left Tackle | Donald Penn | Matt McCants | ||
| Left Guard | Gabe Jackson | Khalif Barnes | ||
| Center | Rodney Hudson | Tony Bergstrom | ||
| Right Guard | J'Marcus Webb | |||
| Right Tackle | Menelik Watson | Austin Howard | ||
| Defense | |||
| Position | Starter | Reserve | Reserve |
| Left Defensive End | Justin Tuck | Max Valles | |
| Left Defensive Tackle | Justin Ellis | Stacy McGee | |
| Right Defensive Tackle | Dan Williams | C.J. Wilson | |
| Right Defensive End | Mario Edwards Jr. | Benson Mayowa | |
| Weak-Side Linebacker | Sio Moore | Ray-Ray Armstrong | |
| Inside Linebacker | Curtis Lofton | Ben Heeney | |
| Strong-Side Linebacker | Khalil Mack | Malcolm Smith | |
| Left Cornerback | TJ Carrie | DJ Hayden | Dexter McDonald |
| Free Safety | Charles Woodson | Jonathan Dowling | |
| Strong Safety | Nate Allen | Brandian Ross | |
| Right Cornerback | Keith McGill | Neiko Thorpe | |
| Special Teams | |
| Position | Starter |
| Kick Returner | Taiwan Jones |
| Punt Returner | Austin Willis |
| Long Snapper | Jon Condo |
| Holder | Marquette King |
| Punter | Marquette King |
| Kicker | Sebastian Janikowski |
This 53-man depth chart slightly differs from a previous depth chart constructed prior to training camp. The first change substitutes running back Trent Richardson for running back Michael Dyer. Originally it seemed Dyer would land on the practice squad, but after a string of impressive practices, per Williamson, he could put Richardson's spot in peril.
According to Rapoport via Twitter, Richardson has a 50-50 chance of making the roster. That's a major step down from his initial aspirations to compete for the starting position at running back, and Richardson's stock continues to drop as he continues to miss practices on the NFI list. Dyer's undeniable talent makes Richardson a tough keep.
The second change sees rookie guard Jon Feliciano dropped in favor of wide receiver Brice Butler. Feliciano has fallen behind Webb and Barnes in the competition at right guard. As a result, he doesn't warrant a position on the 53-man roster as a raw prospect. The Raiders can stash him on the practice squad for at least a year.
The Raiders won't need 10 active linemen with the versatility of their potential backups, as both Barnes and Howard have experience playing on the inside and perimeter of the offensive line.
If wide receiver Austin Willis makes the roster, he'll primarily take the field as a special teams commodity, leaving the No. 6 wide receiver spot open for Butler.
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Key Player Expectations
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The excitement around the new and improved Raiders has sent expectations for the 2015 team through the roof. Raider Nation should remain optimistic, but with an additional hint of realism to avoid unnecessary disappointment.
Musgrave is installing a new offense. Norton is a first-year defensive coordinator. Oakland could field as many as nine new starters with a young nucleus. Del Rio is a great coach, but he’s not a miracle worker.
Football is the ultimate team sport. It takes time for a young team with new players to jell and learn to play together. Take all of this into consideration with the following statistical projections.
Derek Carr
Passing yards: 3,800
Passing touchdowns: 30
Carr will significantly improve from last season. He'll reap the benefits of operating out of two-tight end sets with two big red-zone targets. Carr’s best receiving option from 2013 will become his No. 4 wide receiver option in the upcoming season. Cooper, Crabtree and Rod Streater should inflate Carr's passing yardage and aid his development.
Latavius Murray
Rushing yards: 950
Rushing touchdowns: 8
Murray will start the season with a full tank, but he won’t reach 1,000 yards in his first full year as a starter, as either Richardson or Dyer will take a good portion of the carries. Don’t forget Roy Helu Jr. and a more nimble Reece may also chip away at Murray's workload.
The Raiders have layers of depth at running back. Murray won't carry the ball 220 times, but his speed could help him break out for some extra touchdowns.
Michael Crabtree
Receiving yards: 1,100
Receiving touchdowns: 9
According to Rapoport, Crabtree will likely play his way into a big contract in 2016. He probably felt slighted by the lack of interest in his talent while on the free-agent market. Now, it’s his turn to prove he’s worth big money. He’ll put together a bounce-back season with the Raiders as Carr’s early security blanket, barring injury. Right now, Crabtree stands as the Raiders most experienced wide receiver.
Amari Cooper
Receiving yards: 750
Receiving touchdowns: 6
Don’t get too high on Cooper in his rookie year. He'll come into the league as advertised on the practice field, but game speed takes things to another level.
Remember, Musgrave must get a feel for his players and how they fit his offense. Don’t compare Cooper to the likes of Odell Beckham Jr. or Sammy Watkins. Both players were the clear-cut best receiving options on their respective teams for the majority of the season.
Cooper will eventually take over as Carr's go-to target, but as a rookie, he'll share receptions with a talented receiving corps and a pair of tight ends.
Khalil Mack
Tackles: 43
Sacks: 14
Mack should make a significant leap in sacks with the plan to allow him to go quarterback hunting almost exclusively. As he takes more snaps at defensive end, his tackles will decline, but his impact plays will increase. The key to improving the defense and taking pressure off the young cornerbacks is increasing pocket pressure. Mack will easily accumulates more than 10 sacks in 2015.
Curtis Lofton
Tackles: 121
Passes Defended: 4
The tackling machine will continue his rampage in a Raiders uniform. Curtis Lofton’s instincts fortify the Raiders run defense, and he has the ability to cover intermediate pass routes to receiving tight ends. He’s also intelligent and able to set up the defense. The seven-year veteran knows how to track down and attack the football as the centerpiece of the defense.
TJ Carrie
Interceptions: 2
Passes Defended: 15
TJ Carrie is the clear-cut No. 1 cornerback in Oakland, while Hayden and McGill will duke it out for the No. 2 spot. Carrie didn’t show much potential in terms of forcing turnovers, but his field awareness helps him get in position to break up passes. He’ll defend well on the outside for a solid 2015 season.
Nate Allen
Interceptions: 4
Passes Defensed: 8
The Raiders signed safety Nate Allen with the intention of forcing more turnovers in the secondary. He intercepted four passes as an Eagle in 2014, and he should continue to accumulate picks in the Raiders secondary. Woodson says he feels like he’s 22, but let’s not bank on him playing like it with 18 seasons of wear and tear on his tires. Allen will make most of splash plays over the top.
Season Schedule and Predictions
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| Oakland Raiders' Regular Season Schedule and Predictions | |||
| Week 1 | Sept. 13, 1:25 p.m. PT | vs. Cincinnati | Loss |
| Week 2 | Sept. 20, 1:05 p.m. PT | vs. Baltimore | Win |
| Week 3 | Sept. 27, 10 a.m. PT | at Cleveland | Win |
| Week 4 | Oct. 4, 10 a.m. PT | at Chicago | Loss |
| Week 5 | Oct. 11, 1:25 p.m. PT | vs. Denver | Loss |
| Week 6 | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| Week 7 | Oct. 25, 1:05 p.m. PT | at San Diego | Loss |
| Week 8 | Nov. 1, 1:05 p.m. PT | vs. New York (Jets) | Loss |
| Week 9 | Nov. 8, 10 a.m. PT | at Pittsburgh | Loss |
| Week 10 | Nov. 15, 1:05 p.m. PT | vs. Minnesota | Win |
| Week 11 | Nov. 22, 10 a.m. PT | at Detroit | Loss |
| Week 12 | Nov. 29, 10 a.m. PT | at Tennessee | Win |
| Week 13 | Dec. 6, 1:05 p.m. PT | vs. Kansas City | Win |
| Week 14 | Dec. 13, 1:05 p.m. PT | at Denver | Loss |
| Week 15 | Dec. 20, 1:05 p.m. PT | vs. Green Bay | Loss |
| Week 16 | Dec. 24, 5:25 p.m. PT | vs. San Diego | Win |
| Week 17 | Jan. 3, 10 a.m. PT | at Kansas City | Loss |
The Raiders have the seventh-toughest 2015 schedule, per CBSSports.com, which doesn’t bode well for a young team with question marks in the secondary playing in a pass-happy league.
Oakland must also find a way to help Mack with the pass rush. Opposing offensive lines will opt to double team him as he becomes increasingly dangerous collapsing the pocket.
The Raiders will struggle against potent vertical offenses similar to the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers. On the flip side, Oakland matches up well against teams that rely on the run to setup the passing attack. Lofton's presence behind a stout defensive line should keep most teams under 100 rushing yards.
Take the pattern of wins and losses into consideration. The Raiders are installing a new offense and playing under a first-time defensive coordinator with a young team. The onset of the season won’t look so pretty, but as the year progresses, spectators should notice growth and increased continuity on both sides of the ball.
Without a crystal ball, it’s impossible to predict each game to a tee, but expect rough beginnings with a stronger finish to the 2015 season.
Eight wins would be a complete shocker. The New York Jets game could go either way, considering the struggles of quarterback Geno Smith and the much-improved Raiders run defense.
It’s still too early to expect a playoff appearance, but six or seven wins would give a small glimpse into a promising future in Oakland (or Los Angeles).
Why? As Benoit phrased it, "The Raiders are finally in good hands."
What are your thoughts on the 2015 season? Do you have any predictions for the team or specific players? Share them in the comments below. Follow Maurice Moton on Twitter for Raiders news.
All statistics are provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.
Player contracts courtesy of Spotrac.com.
Raiders roster courtesy of Raiders.com.
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