2015 NFL Preview: Oakland Raiders

2014 Record:  3-13

2015 Non Division Schedule:  NFC North, AFC North, Tennessee, New York Jets

2014 in Review:  Like two of the other teams reviewed this week, the Raiders struggled with a rookie quarterback.  Derek Carr was handed the keys from week one, and the Raiders started the season with ten consecutive losses.  A couple of years ago there was a belief that rookie quarterbacks could come in and succeed right from the start, but for every Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan, or Andrew Luck, there’s a Blake Bortles or a Derek Carr.  That statement isn’t totally fair to Carr, who was actually a competent quarterback in 2014.  Carr threw for over 3000 yards and had 21 touchdowns, against only 12 interceptions.  Those are decent enough numbers to win, but Carr didn’t produce enough points.  The Raiders also gave up 462 points, the most in the league.

2015 Free Agency:  The Raiders did not make a splash in free agency this offseason, but did add some solid players.  Their biggest signing was Center Rodney Hudson.  Hudson should anchor the line for years to come as he is only 25.  Other signings included S Nate Allen and LB Curtis Lofton.  The Raiders gambled on RB Trent Richardson, who has to prove he can play in the NFL after disastrous stops in Cleveland and Indianapolis.  Richardson may struggle to beat out Roy Helu, who was signed from Washington and has shown flashes, especially as a pass catcher out of the backfield.

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2015 Draft:  The Raiders did the exact Raider thing in the draft this year, grabbing WR Amari Cooper at #4 overall.  Cooper was the consensus top receiver in the draft, so this is definitely a good pick.  The Raiders did not have a true #1 receiver anyway, so Cooper is a good pick even with the excellent defenders that were still available.  Mario Edwards Jr, DE out of Florida State was their second pick and will instantly upgrade Oakland’s defensive live.  Edwards had 11 tackles for loss last year and is an excellent edge rusher.  Clive Walford was a questionable pick in the third round because TE is not a position of need.  Mychal Rivera had a solid season last year, with 58 catches and will be the Raiders’ starting Tight End.  There were other players who could have helped immediately instead of Walford at that spot.

 

Player on the hot seat:  It’s not a player for the Raiders, it’s GM Reggie McKenzie.  McKenzie was hired in 2012 to turn the Raiders around, since he’s come on board, Oakland has a record of 7-25.  I would expect some improvement must occur this season for McKenzie to keep his job, although one never knows with the Raiders.

 

Players you want on your fantasy team:  Latavius Murray was a popular waiver wire pick after bursting onto the scene late last year, and he is the #1 running back in Oakland.  He should be the first Raider off the board in all drafts and I would gamble on him after the big hitters are gone.  Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree will be solid pieces for your squad, but I wouldn’t draft them as starters right out of the gate.  You could do a lot worse than Mychal Rivera at Tight end as well.

 

Season Prediction:  All signs point to another long season in Oakland.  The talent just isn’t there yet, and the schedule does them no favors.  SFTB Prediction:  3-13