Offseason Moves Oakland Raiders Should Make to Fix Biggest Problems
Mathematically, the Oakland Raiders still have a chance at the postseason—insert your dramatic Jim Mora impression about the playoffs. Realistically, among fans, the Silver and Black's fourth consecutive loss has already shifted thoughts toward the offseason and how to fix the current issues.
At 2-4, we're beginning to see where the problems lie and what the team can do to rectify those shortcomings for the following season. The 2017 campaign isn't completely lost, but we'll look ahead to suggest potential ways to improve going forward.
It's important to figure out how the Raiders went from enjoying a blowout victory at 2-0 with high expectations to losing their confidence before midseason with back-to-back home defeats.
These solutions go far beyond addressing a botched snap or penalties that negated big plays. We'll take an early glance at the offseason checklist. What should the Raiders consider during the offseason?
Move Karl Joseph to Free Safety to Minimize Deep Threats
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During Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, quarterback Philip Rivers targeted tight end Hunter Henry with Karl Joseph in coverage.
Despite Joseph's ball-tracking skills, at 5'10", 205 pounds, he's not an ideal matchup against a 6'5", 250-pound tight end. The second-year safety would benefit the defense more at free safety. In that role, he can use his field awareness and quickness to close on deep balls as opposed to lining up man-on-man against much bigger bodies.
At the moment, 34-year-old Reggie Nelson—who's been slow to help over the top—holds the free safety spot. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranks near the bottom in coverage among qualifying players at the position. Once his contract expires, the Raiders will have to pencil in a replacement.
Joseph earned a name for himself at West Virginia as a hard-hitting safety, but he also snagged five interceptions in four games during his senior season. In four collegiate years, he picked off nine passes.
Essentially, he would become the Raiders' version of Seattle Seahawks defensive back Earl Thomas with room for growth.
Re-Sign T.J. Carrie
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The Raiders have dealt with inconsistencies on the field and multiple injuries at the cornerback position. However, T.J. Carrie has been steady through six weeks. He's the most reliable at the position, which doesn't say much in a relative sense, but the fourth-year defensive back hasn't allowed a touchdown.
Despite playing the most snaps among cornerbacks on the roster in coverage, Carrie has surrendered fewer receiving yards (183) than David Amerson (260) and Sean Smith (197). Furthermore, he's a versatile asset in the secondary who can defend on the perimeter, the slot and shift over to safety if necessary.
When asked about Carrie's play during Monday's media conference, head coach Jack Del Rio heaped praise for the cornerback's effort on the field:
"T.J. has been solid, he's been a real pro. He's worked hard, competed, earned his role and doing well with it. He's played a lot of snaps. He's been very reliable for us."
With Gareon Conley's shin injury, Amerson's concussion and shoulder ailments plus Smith's ineffectiveness, the Raiders needed Carrie for stability on the back end. Thus far, he's delivered.
As a No. 2 or No. 3 cornerback, general manager Reggie McKenzie won't have to pay an excessive amount to keep him in Oakland, but the Ohio product certainly deserves a new deal.
Assuming the front office cuts Smith to save $9.5 million, per Over The Cap, Carrie would have a sizeable role alongside Conley and possibly Amerson with Dexter McDonald steadily developing as a perimeter defender.
Sign a Veteran Safety
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Beyond the starters, McKenzie should address depth at safety. Through six weeks, the coaching staff has overlooked seventh-rounder Shalom Luani as an option at the position. He's played four defensive snaps.
Luani could see an increased workload in the coming weeks, but the Raiders should acquire a veteran safety to mix with an inexperienced unit. After Nelson's likely departure, Joseph would serve as the elder statesman at the position in his third season.
Keep in mind, Obi Melifonwu—on injured reserve—isn't eligible to play until Week 9, which means he won't have a full season under his belt going into Week 1 of the 2018 campaign. Keith McGill's contract will expire after the 2017 season, and Erik Harris has played two NFL regular-season snaps on defense in two years.
In preparation for injuries and simply for depth through a long season, the Raiders absolutely need an experienced player to round out the safety spot.
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Draft High at Inside Linebacker
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Smooth-talking McKenzie lured 29-year-old linebacker NaVorro Bowman to Oakland on a one-year, $3 million deal, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He's a short-term fix at a weak position that needed an experienced player for the current season.
Bowman's performance will determine if he returns or not, but just like Perry Riley, he may only spend one year in silver and black. Marquel Lee will continue to grow in the system, but he struggled in pass coverage before going down with an ankle injury.
The coaching staff opted to take the fifth-rounder off the field on passing downs. He's logged 35 snaps in coverage, which lists fourth among the Raiders inside linebackers. Nicholas Morrow has taken on a bigger role at the position, while Cory James has shown significant progress as a mainstay in the middle of the defense.
Nonetheless, an early-round pick would bring competition and a potential upgrade that could finally put the inside linebacker issues to rest for the foreseeable future.
Draft a Do-It-All Running Back in Early Rounds
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Just like the previous solution at inside linebacker, McKenzie should consider tweaking his draft philosophy and utilize an early selection on a do-it-all running back who can handle a featured role as ball-carrier, receiver and blocker in the backfield.
In offensive coordinator Todd Downing's system, the Raiders have five potential ball-carriers which sounds great for versatility but may hinder rhythm.
It's clear Marshawn Lynch isn't equipped to log 20-plus carries on a consistent basis, but he can still serve as the closer on short-yardage and goal-line situations in the final year of his contract. DeAndre Washington, meanwhile, has disappeared in Downing's offense.
A well-rounded running back would allow Lynch to slide into a 10-carry role with Jalen Richard as the pass-catching running back. Downing could still insert Cordarrelle Patterson and Jamize Olawale into the mix.
For the most part, teams that picked up a workhorse running back as opposed to employing a large committee at the position fared well with results in the past few years.
Fortunately, it doesn't mean the Raiders would have to use a first-round pick to acquire a featured back. In 2015, the Arizona Cardinals selected David Johnson in the third round. The Kansas City Chiefs acquired Kareem Hunt in the same round of the 2017 draft.
Of course, this strategy goes against McKenzie's tendencies. Since taking the general manager position, he's drafted three running backs, Latavius Murray in the sixth round (2013), DeAndre Washington in the fifth round (2016) and Elijah Hood in the seventh round (2017). It's time for a change.
Hire an Offensive Assistant
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This solution goes under the category as tentative, but it's not a good sign when you're new offensive coordinator takes over a top-10 offense in points and yards but averages the least amount of first downs per game (15.2) in the following season, per Team Rankings.
After just six games, it's too early to dump Downing as an offensive coordinator, but the Raiders can't leave him with the keys to an explosive offense for another season if he continues to sputter as a play-caller.
Oakland hasn't scored more than 17 points in four weeks, which is inexcusable with the same offensive talent plus impact free-agent pickups acquired during the previous offseason.
Former Raiders offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave may have gone conservative at times, but it's hard to argue with the production on the scoreboard. The 2016 team averaged 26 points and 373 yards per game. This year's squad hasn't met either mark since Week 2 against the New York Jets almost a month ago.
It's Downing's rookie year as an offensive coordinator, but the Raiders mistakenly paired an inexperienced play-caller with a team built to win now. With all the talent in place, before more big contracts take over the cap space, the Raiders should optimize their offensive talent.
If Del Rio doesn't want to fire his young coordinator, he should mirror the defensive staff structure with Ken Norton Jr. and John Pagano and hire an assistant offense head coach to help Downing in his development as a play-caller.
Advanced statistics provided by Pro Football Focus unless otherwise noted.
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