Biggest Studs, Duds and Surprises of Oakland Raiders' 2017 Season
The Oakland Raiders went to Arrowhead Stadium Sunday and laid an egg at a critical moment in the season, with the AFC West lead up for grabs. The Silver and Black dropped to 6-7, and thoughts about the offseason have started to creep into the fans' minds.
Before going into offseason matters, let's take a look at how the Raiders reached this point. Mathematically, Oakland remains in the playoff race, but the collective performance on the field shows nothing close to a postseason team.
It's not the time to point fingers, but those who haven't pulled their weight should be held accountable. Others deserve praise for their exemplary execution on the field.
Which key players and coaches failed to deliver through 13 games? Who's playing at a high level? We will highlight four studs and four disappointing players or decision-makers from this season.
Dud: Jack Del Rio
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Head coach Jack Del Rio guides the ship. It's his job to make sure his team takes the field ready to compete at a high level. On far too many occasions, spectators saw the opposite in the Raiders.
In games against the Washington Redskins, Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland looked lethargic and didn't seem particular attentive to details. When the Raiders fell flat, the defeats often swelled to two-possession losses. As a team coming off a 12-4 season with playoff expectations, it's inexcusable.
Let's not forget the decision to replace former offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave after he led the No. 7 scoring offense in the NFL during the 2016 season.
Del Rio paired a rookie play-caller with a multi-faceted offense, and it's been a disaster.
Sadly, the Raiders head coach will likely need to punt on his young coordinator and hire an experienced replacement similar to the guy he let go in the previous offseason. The projected scenario would force quarterback Derek Carr to work with a third assistant in three years.
Stud: EDGE, Khalil Mack
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As long as he's healthy, edge-rusher Khalil Mack will probably list under the stud category every season. With John Pagano calling plays on defense, expect the 26-year-old's sack numbers to rise.
The Raiders offense didn't find any rhythm against the Chiefs Sunday, but the defense forced another turnover and sacked quarterback Alex Smith four times. Mack leads the team with 8.5 sacks, and he could finish with a double-digit total for the third consecutive season.
When general manager Reggie McKenzie approaches Mack with an extension offer, he should sell Pagano's ability to elevate the defense's pass rush to add some excitement for his return to Oakland. The playoffs don't look like a realistic goal with basic schemes and poor execution on offense.
Mack isn't a vocal leader, but the defense excels partially because of game-planning for his relentless pressure off the edge.
Dud: OC, Todd Downing
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Del Rio deserves more criticism than offensive coordinator Todd Downing for a wildly inconsistent offense. The 37-year-old took the job, but he's not ready to lead a unit with a bevy of weapons and map out complex designs. That's evident in the schemes.
The Raiders head coach placed Downing in control without training wheels and watched the offense drop to a bottom-third scoring unit.
The window of opportunity closes quickly in the NFL, and it opened for Oakland during the previous season. After Carr's offseason recovery from a leg injury, the Silver and Black should have pounced on the chance to compete for the Lombardi Trophy in 2017.
Instead, Downing's on-the-job learning has hindered the jump from playoff-caliber team to Super Bowl contender. Now, it's a squad looking at an early draft spot—just like recent years.
Nonetheless, it's Downing making the calls. Though he's not dropping passes or running poor routes, the drop from a top offense to an inept unit falls on his shoulders. Maybe the young assistant needs a few more years as a quarterbacks coach before taking the next step.
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Stud: LB, Bruce Irvin
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Many attached the term "overpaid" to linebacker Bruce Irvin's name earlier in the season. However, he's sacked the quarterback five times since Pagano took over defensive play-calling duties.
Irvin supported former defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. until his firing in November, but the 30-year-old linebacker has become a more aggressive pass-rusher since the dismissal. At 7.5 sacks, he's a quarterback takedown away from reaching his single-season career high.
Oftentimes, Irvin's work as a run defender and ability to re-route tight ends in coverage doesn't receive enough acknowledgment. Furthermore, Mack takes the spotlight in the pass rush. Nonetheless, the sixth-year pro continues to show he's worth the four-year, $37 million deal he signed during the 2016 offseason.
It sounds odd, but Irvin could finish with more sacks than Mack. That's not a knock on the Defensive Player of the Year. It's a good indication that someone has taken advantage of the double- and triple-teams on No. 52. With Pagano's pressure schemes, prepare for more multi-sack games for both edge-rushers.
Dud: WR, Amari Cooper
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As the composed receiver who takes the field and tries to execute to the best of his abilities, it's strange labeling wideout Amari Cooper as a dud, but he fits into this category in 2017.
The 23-year-old receiver re-injured his ankle early in the game against the Chiefs. While the severity of his ailment remains unknown, Cooper has developed a history of finishing seasons on a weak note.
Whether it's due to injury, drops or a poor scheme, he has dominated one football game in 2017 but looked average in the other 12 contests.
Cooper bulked up in the offseason, and Carr talked to the press about seeing "the dog" in his receiver. Well, it's probably a poodle because the third-year wideout's drop issues plagued his season before his concussion and ankle issues.
The No. 4 overall pick from the 2015 draft has spent three years with Carr, with the tandem being dubbed AC/DC. Unfortunately, their rapport has seemingly regressed under another dud on this list in Downing. Aside from one game, it's a forgettable season for a player in his critical third campaign.
Stud: TE, Jared Cook
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During the offseason, many viewed tight end Jared Cook as a luxury pickup to supplement the offense. But the 30-year-old claimed the starting position in camp and leads the team with 621 receiving yards.
Cook surpassed Cooper as the second-most reliable pass-catcher on offense. He's not Rob Gronkowski or Travis Kelce in touchdown production, but when Carr needs a first down, the tight end finds a way to free himself for the reception.
Wideout Michael Crabtree missed two games, one because of injury and the other on a one-game suspension, but availability matters in any league. After an injury-riddled season with the Green Bay Packers, Cook has suited up for every contest this term and has been ready to contribute in the passing attack.
Cook will likely play his 10th NFL season in a Raiders uniform, especially with Cooper struggling as a primary pass-catcher.
Dud: FS, Reggie Nelson
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Sean Smith could well fit in this category. He lost his starting position during the offseason. The coaching staff needed to hide him in coverage in multiple games, which is problematic for a cornerback earning $9.5 million this season. Don't expect to see him on the roster in 2018. He's a prime cap-space casualty candidate.
Nonetheless, free safety Reggie Nelson went from Pro Bowls in consecutive seasons to a nondescript player on the field with only two pass breakups. Yet dud No. 1 on this list, Del Rio, refuses to bench the 34-year-old.
Nelson's voice may carry in a locker room with a young defense, but he's an ineffective deep safety who has struggled with covering the deep ball throughout the year. The Raiders need a playmaker at the position, and he's no longer forcing takeaways in coverage.
Like Smith, Nelson probably won't return for the 2018 season after his contract expires at the end of the year.
Stud: PK, Giorgio Tavecchio
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Despite the imminent bittersweet goodbyes for Sebastian Janikowski, who remains on injured reserve, the Raiders have their future kicker in Giorgio Tavecchio.
The 27-year-old placekicker started the season with two 52-yard field goals, which put the fans at ease with regard to his leg strength. Janikowski established himself as a power kicker, but Tavecchio also drilled 13 of 16 attempts, three from 50-plus yards away, through 13 contests.
Janikowski's replacement experienced a few hiccups in Week 7 against the Chiefs, but he's handled the job well throughout the 2017 season.
According to Spotrac, Taveccchio will become an exclusive rights free agent, which means he can't negotiate with other teams. McKenzie will retain his kicker at a cheap price for another year.
It's tough to see Janikowski's tenure end with him on injured reserve, but it's a business. Tavecchio is 12 years younger and comes at a good price.
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