6 Players Oakland Raiders Must Make Priority This Offseason
There's an optimistic long-term outlook for the Oakland Raiders defense since John Pagano took over play-calling duties. Now, imagine what he can do with personnel fully capable of executing in his system.
Oakland's defense has racked up eight sacks over the past two games. However, you shouldn't gulp down all the Pagano Kool-Aid yet. The Raiders have played against two poor teams in the Denver Broncos (3-9) and New York Giants (2-10) with subpar offensive lines since Ken Norton Jr.'s dismissal on Nov. 21.
In the first 10 games, the Silver and Black dropped the quarterback 14 times behind the line of scrimmage. Eight of those sacks came against the New York Jets in Week 2 and the Broncos in Week 4.
The Raiders will play the Kansas City Chiefs on the road Sunday and the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15. We'll find out how much the pass rush has improved against those opponents.
Typically, Kansas City has moved the ball consistently on Oakland, and Dallas' offensive line still ranks as one of the best in the NFL.
Looking forward to the offseason, it's important to add pieces on defense to help Pagano elevate this unit. We'll highlight in-house talents, unrestricted free agents and potential draft picks to keep an eye on during the offseason.
Here's a quick spoiler alert: It's all about fielding a defense equipped to win games late in the season when the offense doesn't click or plays in inclement weather.
DL, Denico Autry
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Pagano's promotion has certainly elevated defensive lineman Denico Autry's play. He's set to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.
This doesn't seem like a case in which an impending free agent finally lives up to his potential on an expiring contract.
Autry has played a significant role in the defensive line rotation since the 2015 campaign. He logged 5.5 sacks as an interior pass-rusher under Norton but eclipsed his single-season total in the previous outing against the Broncos.
As a decent pass-rusher, he doesn't give up on plays and flashes the occasional ability to win one-on-one matchups in the trenches.
The fourth-year defensive lineman has four sacks, three over the previous two contests, and lists third on the team in the category. Despite some hiccups as an edge-setter against the run, the Raiders need the push on the inside. Autry can also play multiple positions in three- and four-man defensive fronts.
CB, T.J. Carrie
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Cornerback T.J. Carrie crosses the radar as a low-priority must-have player. He's put together good games and struggled in other contests.
If general manager Reggie McKenzie decides to release David Amerson and Sean Smith, you can bump this priority rating up to moderate. The Raiders can't go into the 2018 season with Gareon Conley and Dexter McDonald as the top players at this position.
As a veteran, with experience lining up on the inside and outside, Carrie should remain on the roster as a holdover. Among McKenzie's draft picks at the position, he's developed into the most consistent contributor. Again, the 2014 seventh-rounder isn't a shutdown defender but fills a role as a serviceable No. 2 or No. 3 cornerback.
The market will ultimately determine whether the front office should re-sign the fourth-year defensive back. Carrie's play doesn't warrant substantial overpayment, but he could become the glue in a young, developing secondary.
CB, Bashaud Breeland
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McKenzie has found success in picking up former Washington Redskins players, and cornerback Bashaud Breeland could become the latest addition through the pipeline.
Breeland will hit the market as an unrestricted free agent in March. When looking at the box score, you'll notice he doesn't have an interception in 2017. However, he's logged double-digit pass breakups every year in the league.
As a player who's snagged at least two interceptions in each of his first three seasons, there's no worry about his ability to force turnovers. It's more important to focus on his disruptions in coverage.
Breeland plays opposite Josh Norman in Washington. As a result, he's targeted often in coverage. With Conley likely taking on a bigger role, the Raiders need a battle-tested veteran, who's still playing at his best, especially if Carrie signs elsewhere.
The fourth-year pro lining up opposite Conley provides the secondary with speed, athleticism and playmaking ability on the perimeter.
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FS, Tre Boston
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McKenzie doesn't have to look any further than his own division to replace free safety Reggie Nelson.
Once the 34-year-old's contract expires in the offseason, the coaching staff could transition Karl Joseph or Obi Melifonwu to center field. The front office could also pay Tre Boston, who's played the position for four seasons.
Melifonwu will continue to find his way in multiple roles, specifically coverage on tight ends, defending short passes and assisting in run support. Assuming he stays healthy, the second-rounder would finish the season with eight games under his belt. Nonetheless, the Raiders need a playmaker in the secondary while Melifonwu gains experience.
Secondly, it's not a guarantee that Joseph excels as a full-time free safety over the top. It's never a bad idea to add a veteran who knows exactly what he's doing at any particular position. Boston has logged six interceptions and 14 passes defensed over the past two seasons.
ILB, Micah Kiser, Virginia
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At the risk of sounding like a broken record, McKenzie should address the linebacker spot in the early rounds. He's settled for Ben Heeney, Neiron Ball and Cory James—acquired for special teams purposes—in the middle-to-late rounds.
James has developed into a serviceable starting linebacker, but he's an average player with a low ceiling.
Despite his improvements, McKenzie felt the need to sign 29-year-old NaVorro Bowman midseason. The former San Francisco 49er plugs holes in the run defense, but he's not gaining lateral quickness as he ages toward 30.
Virginia inside linebacker Micah Kiser shows sideline-to-sideline quickness on film. He's recorded 382 tackles, 19 sacks and 12 pass breakups as a three-year starter.
As the draft process approaches, you'll hear many analysts describe Kiser as a tackling machine. The label should impress head coach Jack Del Rio, who always talks about leverage when taking down ball-carriers and receivers.
At the moment, the Virginia product projects as a Day 2 prospect, per CBS Sports draft rankings. Nonetheless, he's a three-down linebacker who can contribute in Week 1 as a rookie in the NFL.
ILB, T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin
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Assuming Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith declares for the draft, he's likely a top-15 pick. If the Raiders finish 8-8 or 9-7, they'll likely miss out on the SEC's leading tackler in 2017.
However, T.J. Edwards would fit the Raiders' defensive needs. Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst describes an ideal prospect to fill holes in Del Rio's underperforming defense:
"Though vertically challenged, Edwards is a potential three-down player for the next level who stacks well against the run while showing the ability to cover running backs or tight ends on passing downs."
The Raiders allow 105.9 receiving yards per game to running backs and tight ends combined, per Football Outsiders. Instead of re-signing Bowman, who turns 30 in March, why not draft a player whose best years have yet to come?
On film, Edwards fits the part, with seven interceptions and 13 pass breakups on his collegiate resume to prove it.
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