Predicting Oakland Raiders' 2017 Starters After 1st Wave of Free Agency
During the NFL owners meetings on Tuesday, Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio and general manager Reggie McKenzie discussed the roster and expectations for the 2017 season.
For the most part, the Raiders added depth to the roster during the first wave of free agency, but Del Rio highlighted one particular veteran as a potential starter. McKenzie revealed pertinent information about tight end Clive Walford, which explains the need to sign Jared Cook.
Due to the relocation vote that approved the Raiders move to Las Vegas, the Marshawn Lynch rumors—initially documented by ESPN's Adam Schefter and Josina Anderson—took a backseat. Del Rio chose to avoid questions about Beast Mode, but he mentioned the need for a power running back, per San Francisco Chronicle reporter Vic Tafur.
Nearly three weeks into free agency and four weeks from the NFL draft, what's the outlook on the starting lineup for the 2017 season?
Quarterback: Derek Carr
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The easiest projection starts at quarterback. Derek Carr established himself as a franchise signal-caller, and his play propelled Oakland into the postseason for the first time in 14 seasons.
Unfortunately, Carr broke his fibula late in the season and the Raiders fell flat. During the owners meetings, McKenzie expressed confidence in the quarterback's availability for organized team activities in May, per CSN Bay Area reporter Scott Bair.
Don't expect to see backup signal-callers Connor Cook or EJ Manuel take first-team reps. Carr should be ready to go at full strength for the entire offseason program.
Running Backs: Jalen Richard, Jamize Olawale
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Del Rio's comment about a bigger ball-carrier indicates the rushing offense will field a true committee. Three running backs will handle carries in different situations, and the hot hand will dominate rush attempts week to week.
Nonetheless, running back Jalen Richard will emerge as the most productive back in total yards. During the previous season, he outgained fellow tailback DeAndre Washington 685-582 in yards from scrimmage. He also averaged 5.9 yards per carry to Washington's 5.4 yards per rush attempt.
According to McKenzie (via Bair), Washington and Richard will handle the majority load with a bruiser to aid the duo. Expect the two second-year ball-carriers to rack up approximately 700 yards apiece.
Jamize Olawale may steal carries in goal-line and short-yardage situations as a dynamic fullback, who's also a capable receiver in the flat.
Wide Receivers: Michael Crabtree, Amari Cooper
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Carr will continue to build a rapport with Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper for a third season. Both wideouts eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards during the previous campaign.
Despite frequent drops among the receivers, Cooper rectified his case of the dropsies. His catch rate improved from 55.4 to 62.9 percent, which led the top three wideouts on the depth chart.
Crabtree leads all receivers with 17 touchdown catches over the past two seasons. In the red zone, Carr feels comfortable throwing to the elder wideout, who has experienced a rebirth in Oakland.
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Tight End: Jared Cook
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The Raiders missed out on tight end Martellus Bennett, who inked a deal with the Green Bay Packers, but they did sign the guy he replaced, Jared Cook.
According to McKenzie (h/t Tafur), Walford's ATV accident might have hindered his production during the previous season. The Raiders executive said he "wasn't same player last year."
The decision to acquire Cook indicates the team isn't totally sold on Walford reaching his full potential in the upcoming season as a reliable big-body pass target. Yet, the former Green Bay Packer only caught three touchdown passes in 13 games through the postseason with quarterback Aaron Rodgers at the helm.
Due to Cook's experience and the uncertainty surrounding Walford, the veteran gets the nod as the starter. Lee Smith will continue to serve as a blocking tight end.
Offensive Tackles: Donald Penn, Vadal Alexander
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The offseason competition action will focus on the right tackle position. Four different players have a shot at earning a starting spot.
Menelik Watson's departure didn't pave the way for Austin Howard, who underwent multiple shoulder surgeries during the offseason. In fact, Howard may lose a roster spot late in the summer.
Del Rio highlighted Marshall Newhouse as the leading candidate to take over for Watson at right tackle, per Bair. However, a fierce competition will separate the starter from the backups.
During the previous season, 2016 seventh-round pick Vadal Alexander logged five starts, two at right tackle. At times, he held his own and struggled with penalties in other moments. Nonetheless, the Raiders should capitalize on a late draft pick with starting potential over a veteran who will drive up the price after one good season.
Furthermore, Newhouse struggled to hold the starting right tackle spot on a terrible New York Giants offensive line in 2016. He's better suited in a reserve role for either perimeter spot.
Interior Offensive Linemen: Kelechi Osemele, Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson
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Right guard Kelechi Osemele made his presence felt as a run blocker during his first season with the team. He signed a hefty five-year, $58.5 million deal, per Spotrac, and his play justified the price tag. He ranked as the No. 5 overall guard in the league, per Pro Football Focus.
You can add Gabe Jackson to the list of players who will receive an extension in the near future, per McKenzie (via Bair). After starting two seasons at left guard, he had to shift over to right guard in his third season. Nonetheless, he handled the transition smoothly without a gripe.
In 2016, Oakland finished with the No. 6 rushing offense thanks to a massive wall from left guard to right guard.
Edge-Rushers: Khalil Mack, Bruce Irvin
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Much like quarterback, the edge-rusher spot doesn't provide any surprises. Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin lined up on the edge of what looks like a 5-2 alignment during the previous season. Together, they combined for 18 sacks.
Technically, Irvin lists as a strong-side linebacker, but it's clear his primary job focuses on pressuring the quarterback off the edge. He's also equipped to drop back in coverage and reroute tight ends.
Mack and Irvin should eclipse a combined 20 sacks in the upcoming season. The coaching staff will have to find ways to complement the duo with pressure on the inside.
Defensive Interior Linemen (DT/DE): Mario Edwards, Justin Ellis, Denico Autry
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The Raiders hope to see Mario Edwards Jr. play an entire season. His presence helps the run defense whether he's a 5-technique defensive end or a 3-technique defensive tackle. Through two seasons, he's played 16 games and missed 16 games.
It's wise to bet on nose tackle Justin Ellis putting together his best season during a contract year. At the very least, he's still a decent gap-stuffer at his size but don't expect the 300-plus pounder to reach the quarterback. Ellis hasn't recorded a sack in his three-year career. Nonetheless, he graded higher than Dan Williams as a run defender in 2016, per Pro Football Focus.
The Raiders should consider Florida defensive lineman Caleb Brantley, who lists as a defensive tackle but possesses the size and quickness to line up as a 5-technique defensive end.
Whether the Raiders draft Brantley or not, Denico Autry should earn a starting spot. He played the seventh-most snaps among defensive players on the roster during the previous campaign.
Despite his shortcomings when sealing the edge against the run, Autry holds value as an interior pass-rusher. The former undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State logged three sacks in each of the last two seasons.
Linebackers: Jarrad Davis, Zach Brown
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Oakland will field two new linebackers for the upcoming season. According to Miami Herald reporter Armando Salguero, free-agent linebacker Zach Brown will likely decide between the Miami Dolphins and the Raiders.
In Oakland, Brown would have a clear-cut role as the starting weak-side linebacker. The Dolphins signed Lawrence Timmons, extended Kiko Alonso and restructured Koa Misi's contract; all three players will take snaps at linebacker in the upcoming season.
For the sake of certainty and likely a larger role in Oakland, expect to see Brown in silver and black for the 2017 season.
Alabama prospect Reuben Foster won't be available late in the first round. Florida's Jarrad Davis projects as a second-round pick, per CBS Sports rankings. His ability to play inside or outside should entice the Raiders' brain trust.
Anthony Walker Jr. out of Northwestern plays more like a traditional inside linebacker, but it's possible that McKenzie will address the need within the first two rounds.
Cornerbacks: David Amerson, Sean Smith
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Cornerbacks David Amerson and Sean Smith struggled in certain situations during the previous season.
According to Del Rio (h/t Tafur), defensive assistant John Pagano will serve as an aid for the defensive backs on the roster. However, he's known for dialing up quarterback pressure with linebackers as the former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator.
At this point, the Raiders secondary needs all the help available. The back end of the defense experienced too much miscommunication between the cornerbacks and safeties. The team started three new defensive backs during the previous year. Naturally, the chemistry should strengthen within a second season together.
Safeties: Reggie Nelson, Karl Joseph
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At the moment, there's little competition for the safety spots. Keith McGill lists as the only backup behind incumbent starters, Reggie Nelson and Karl Joseph.
McGill's transition to safety didn't generate good enough results to hold a starting spot in the previous year. Expect the Raiders to draft two safeties in April. The rookies will see limited snaps, and one of two will take over as a starter for the 2018 season. Nelson enters the final year on his current contract, per Spotrac.
Joseph comes into his sophomore season healthy with playing experience, which bodes well for his development, per Del Rio (h/t Bair).
Special Teams: Marquette King, Sebastian Janikowski
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The Raiders signed punter Marquette King to a five-year deal last year, and kicker Sebastian Janikowski will likely play out the final year on his contract, per Spotrac.
At 39 years old, the career-long Raider will likely start his 18th season with the team and walk off into the sunset as the record holder in most games played with the franchise.
It will be interesting to see if the front office selects Janikowski's potential replacement late in the draft or decides to call Giorgio Tavecchio, who joined the team for short stints in each of the past three years.
In today's NFL, with long extra-point attempts and close games, the Raiders can't treat the kicker as an afterthought.
Stats provided by Sports Reference and Pro Football Reference unless otherwise noted.
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