5 steps the Raiders can take to be contenders in 2020
By John Buhler
The Las Vegas Raiders are closer to contending than we all think. Here are five steps the Silver and Black can take to be contenders in the 2020 campaign.
Even though they play in the same AFC West division as the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, you have to like what you’ve seen out of the Silver and Black the last two years under Jon Gruden’s watch. After two years in Oakland, the Las Vegas Raiders are now a thing entering the 2020 NFL season.
For a while there, the Raiders did have the feel of a dark horse playoff contender in the AFC. They looked good at times with their physical offensive brand of football. You could see this once-proud franchise finally tap into a new team identity. The Raiders will be the tough guys under Gruden’s watch, and we all have to be excited about that going forward.
With the Los Angeles Chargers moving off Philip Rivers and the Denver Broncos still trying to figure out what they have in Drew Lock, the Raiders have their shot at moving up the pecking order in the AFC as soon as this season. We saw general manager Mike Mayock nail his first draft with the Raiders, and we should expect similar things from him again in 2020.
No, it will not be easy, but here are five steps the Raiders can take this offseason to put themselves in the best position possible to contend for a playoff spot this fall. They don’t have to do all of them, but doing any of them will certainly have them trending in the right direction.
Trade for Yannick Ngakoue with Jacksonville, sign him to a long-term deal
Raider Nation misses Khalil Mack. Though Maxx Crosby had a phenomenal rookie season out of Eastern Michigan and Clelin Ferrell had his moments too, the Silver and Black needs to deal for Ngakoue. He doesn’t want to play there anymore, but Jacksonville will tag him. Make the deal, Raiders.
Use a first-round pick to take a top-tier wide receiver in the NFL Draft
To land a player like Ngakoue, it will cost the Raiders at least one of their two first-round picks this spring. With the other first-round pick they don’t deal, it would be advantageous for the Raiders to draft a wide receiver like Henry Ruggs III with the top-20 selection. He can fly and late owner Al Davis would have loved him.
Bring in a veteran quarterback to challenge Derek Carr for the starting job
Though the Raiders could use a first-round pick to draft Carr’s replacement, Las Vegas is better served using it on a wide receiver to help the passing game out. What they should do instead is bring in a veteran quarterback to challenge Carr for the starting job in 2020. A player like Jameis Winston of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers immediately comes to mind.
Find Karl Joseph, Tahir Whitehead‘s replacements on defense
The Raiders have already announced the release of linebacker Tahir Whitehead. They also may not be keen on keeping strong safety Karl Joseph. Those are two big pieces in the Raiders’ defensive back-seven. Look for Mayock to either draft guys who are better schematic fits or to pursue replacements in free agency.
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Go get another big ugly upfront to road grade for Josh Jacobs
The Raiders’ strongest sense of identity is pounding the rock with running back Josh Jacobs. He was outstanding in his rookie year. Offensive linemen Rodney Hudson, Richie Incognito and Gabe Jackson, Kolton Miller and Trent Brown did a great job up front. However, the Raiders need to make this offensive line as formidable as possible should Jackson be a goner this offseason. Adding the right piece in the draft or free agency would do that.