Playoffs or no playoffs, why 2019 is a success for the Raiders
Whether the Oakland Raiders make the playoffs or not, 2019 should be counted as a successful season even before the finale Sunday at Denver.
Here’s why:
Rookie success
The Raiders’ 2019 rookie class has produced, led by running back Josh Jacobs (1,150 yards, 7 touchdowns) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (32 solo tackles, 8.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles).
So did wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (503 yards, 3 TDs) and tight end Foster Moreau (5 TDs).
Clelin Ferrell has 4.5 sacks.
And undrafted free agent fullback Alec Ingold has made many key contributions.
The rest of the draft class includes safety Johnathan Abram and cornerbacks Trayvon Mullen and Isaiah Johnson.
Abram was sideliend after he suffered a shoulder injury in Week 1 against the Broncos.
Overcoming injuries and Antonio Brown
The Raiders’ 21st-ranked defense lost safety Karl Joseph in Week 10 with a foot injury. The 2016 first-round pick was finally playing to his potential this season after being pushed by Abram.
The Raiders are limited at linebacker, but more so after losing Vontaze Burfict to a suspension following Week 4.
Going into the season, the Raiders thought they would have wide receiver Antonio Brown.
That would have given Derek Carr an immediate deep threat that he sorely missed since 2016.
That never happened because Brown had other things on his mind.
He was released by the Raiders.
Record
After a 4-12 record last season, the Raiders have a shot at 8-8 this year.
Even with Brown, the Raiders were expected to finish 5-11 by Bleacher Report, Sporting News and Sports Illustrated; and 4-12 by CBS Sports.
It is no wonder the national media had low expectations for the Raiders because they had seven 10 a.m. Pacific start times in 2019, including a trip to England, and played away from Oakland for more than a month.
Carr still had success with a strong offensive line led by center Rodney Hudson and free-agent signee tackle Trent Brown. Both were selected to the Pro Bowl.
Wide receiver Tyrell Williams, whom the Raiders signed in the offseason, has 651 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He hasn’t been 100%, nursing a foot injury most of the season.
Tight end Darren Waller, who joined the Raiders late in 2019, has 1,038 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Future is bright
The Raiders will have two first-round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft and could target a wide receiver and a defensive tackle. In all, the Raiders will have seven draft picks including three in the third round, a fourth-round and a seventh-round.
The Raiders need a No. 1 receiver to surround Carr with a complete supporting cast should the team bring him back when they move to Las Vegas.
He’s shown in the past what he can do when he had Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper. Both topped 1,000 yards in 2016.
Back to his Fresno State playing days, he had many weapons, including future Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams as his primary receiver. In 2012, his longest pass went for 97 yards and another for 89 yards to finish with 4,104 yards and 37 touchdowns.
Without Brown this season, Carr has thrown for 3,663 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Another plus in 2020: The Raiders have at least $70 million cap space according to Spotrac.
Of the 53 players on the Raiders’ active roster, 24 will be under contract – 15 on defense led by Lamarcus Joyner who signed a four-year deal before this season began.
This story was originally published December 27, 2019 at 9:54 AM.
