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NFL power rankings: Saints, Chargers lead way into 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 20: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) talk during a TV timeout during the NFC Championship Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints on January 20, 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 20: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) talk during a TV timeout during the NFC Championship Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints on January 20, 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 26: Head Coach Jon Gruden and General Manager Mike Mayock of the Oakland Raiders of the North Team talk before the start of the 2019 Reese’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 26, 2019 in Mobile, Alabama. The North defeated the South 34 to 24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 26: Head Coach Jon Gruden and General Manager Mike Mayock of the Oakland Raiders of the North Team talk before the start of the 2019 Reese’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 26, 2019 in Mobile, Alabama. The North defeated the South 34 to 24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

. . Oakland Raiders. 24. team. 28.

2019 Key Additions: Head coach Jon Gruden and new GM Mike Mayock endured a busy offseason, as was the case for this franchise a year ago as well. The team made one of the biggest trades of 2019 in acquiring wide receiver Antonio Brown from the Pittsburgh Steelers. They gave big money to left tackle Trent Brown, late of the New England Patriots. And the Raiders used all three of their first-round choices they took into this draft to add quality defensive end Clelin Ferrell, hard-charging running back Josh Jacobs and safety Johnathan Abram. Those two rookies, along with veteran additions such as free safety Lamarcus Joyner and linebackers Vontaze Burfict and Brandon Marshall, should help that shaky defense.

Offseason Review: The number of new faces on the roster is somewhat overwhelming, which was certainly the case during the team’s disappointing 2018 showing. But the Raiders have a plan and it was seen throughout the draft with the kind of players Gruden and Mayock selected with their nine picks. Keep in mind that the franchise has been to the playoffs once since 2003 and over the last 16 seasons owns a dismal 85-171 regular-season record, as well as a wild card playoff loss. Changing the culture is the key and that’s the apparent path the organization is finally taking after years of indecisiveness.

Next: No. 23

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