NFL 2015: How will the first-year coaches perform?

Jack Del Rio – Oakland Raiders

Yes, the Oakland Raiders have a better situation than both the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets. Why? Because they have a young quarterback with potential, something the two franchises from the Empire State can’t claim without laughing in hysteria.

Jack Del Rio is walking into a great place for himself, something that has long never been true of any coach in Oakland. The Raiders are in flux with regards to where they will be playing on a year-to-year basis with Los Angeles looming in the distance, but the team is flush with cap space and has drafted really well in recent seasons.

In 2014, general manager Reggie McKenzie landed both linebacker Khalil Mack and quarterback Derek Carr, both who appear to be quality players (especially Mack, who has All-Pro written all over him). In 2015, he used the fourth-overall pick to land receiver Amari Cooper out of the University of Alabama.

Del Rio never enjoyed a franchise-level quarterback during his nine seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, mostly starting David Garrard and Byron Leftwich. Del Rio guided the Jaguars to a pair of playoff appearances during that time, winning one postseason game before losing to the undefeated New England Patriots in 2007. After coaching the Denver Broncos as the defensive coordinator for the past three years, Del Rio is back to prove he can steer a winning ship again.

The Raiders will likely finish last in the brutally competitive AFC West, but they have a chance to double their win total from three to six this year. Oakland has some talent, especially after an offseason where McKenzie brought in linebacker Curtis Lofton, nose tackle Dan Williams, receiver Michael Crabtree, center Rodney Hudson and Cooper. Oakland doesn’t have a great roster yet, but the building blocks are there for a consistent winner.

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