For a team that won only seven games last season, the Raiders have surprisingly few needs as they enter the draft. That gives head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock far more flexibility than they had a year ago, when the Raiders were in dire need of quality and quantity. The list of
Jon Gruden, Mike Mayock zeroed in on dwindling list of needs; Raiders much better positioned for draft this year
We are far from a finished product and need plenty of quality depth.
This draft needs to be just as productive as last year, maybe even more so if we dont pick up any extra picks by trading.
That’s the weird thing about the makeup of the roster right now. Gruden and Mayock retained almost every starter. It makes sense on offense, but certainly not on defense.
One area that needs bolstering is a slot CB.
I’m not convinced Joyner can be effective in the corner. I think they are playing him out of position but we’ll see.
-Secondary is a major need (CB, backup safeties)
-LB position is now not “bleeding” but need another LB
-A solid RB to fill in for Jacobs is a must
-And a game breaking (Defensive coordinators must account for) Wide Receiver is absolutely necessary.
And build depth. Starters will inevitably get injured. Need backup players that can perform competently with starters go down.
Agreed on the slot corner. Lamarcus Joyner either produces at a high level this season, or he’s gone. They had to keep him around this season because of his prohibitive cap figure, but he’s on a short leash beyond that.
As always this time of year, the assumptions are that the FAs and the Draft picks will pan out. Mayock set the bar high last year for the draft, but their FA choices were hit and miss. Although, I feel like having missed out on the big ticket FAs this year actually helped this team with more quality and depth. I do worry about Abram being able to stay healthy and thought it folly to let Karl Joseph go. The defense needs playmakers all over the field. The defense needs to start creating turnovers more frequently.
Carr and the rest of the offense needs to step up and be able to consistently score more than 20 points a game. Last year, that unit was supposed to carry the team and it didn’t (some of that was due to the AB fiasco).
Mayock and Gruden are creating a team where excuses are going to be harder to come by . . .
Question, primarily for Cork, but anyone else can chime in …
The rumor mill is in overdrive, one being Tua Tagovailoa’s draft stock is falling. If Tua’s available at #19, do you take a chance on drafting him at 19, or do you stay with your draft board … possibly even trading back to pick up a second round pick(s)? And, if you do trade back, picking up that (those) second round pick(s), and if Tua is still available, do you take him with that second round pick? If Tua is too much of a risk, what about Jalen Hurts, Jordan Love or some other QB? A lot of “if’s” and “and’s” here. I would prefer the Raiders drafting with their position needs as a first priority.
David, my dimes-worth:
I don’t think we should take a chance on Tua because of the multiple injuries he has had to significant joints over the last few years. The guy is seriously talented but expectations must be for a shortened career – said with no pleasure whatsoever, I hate to see such a talented athlete damaged in their prime.
I wouldn’t look to draft a QB this year – even if Carr is not the man, Mariota will get a chance – but I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see us draft Hurts . I just don’t think Gruden will be able to resist if he is there and we are on the board after round 1!
I’d stay with the board, which should have WR & CB at the top (& often!) with backup RB, LB and DL next in line.
Great questions, David. Without hesitation, here’s where I stand on Tua Tagovailoa. From the Raiders’ standpoint, if Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock have any reservations about Derek Carr — and they do — they should do everything they can to draft Tagovailoa, even if it means trading up. So, yes, if they stand pat and end up having Tagovailoa on the board at No. 12, they need to make that pick right away.
Personally, I would trade both first-rounders and whatever else it might take to trade up and get Tagovailoa. More on why in a post later. Thanks, David.
Hi David, my two cents’ worth: I’d take Tua in a heartbeat. Although, his style of play is such that he makes it more likely for him to sustain injuries. So, he’d need to be coached to “know when to hold them . . . ” Not sure I agree with Cork about trading both first rounders to move up–only because this team has so many other needs to fill and limited opportunities to do so in this draft.
Away from the draft for a moment, good to see the Chargers have a new uniform to underachieve in next year!!!
Haha, Andy! Why do they need so many different unis is what I want to know. They trying to become the Oregon of the South? And, I am sorry, all these teams having a black uniform when their colors do not include any black (ahem, Niners) really irks me. It’s like Manchester United who are the “Red Devils” with a RED uniform have a blue kit. Sorry for my rant! 🙂
Michelle, they are all trying to achieve perfection but that boat sailed long ago…..you’re far too late guys:
“Silver & Black” – says it all and it’s all you’ll ever need!
Thank you Al!!!