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5 NFL teams Justin Fields could instantly turn around

By Nicholas McGee

Justin Fields, Ohio State Buckeyes. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Justin Fields, Ohio State Buckeyes. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders leads his team onto the field before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 16-15. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders leads his team onto the field before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 16-15. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

1. Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders head to Las Vegas as an ascending team in the eyes of many despite a second successive losing season under Jon Gruden to finish their time in Oakland.

Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock have assembled a promising young roster but the Raiders will need outstanding performances from the quarterback position to challenge the Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West.

While Derek Carr has been efficient, he has been unspectacular for most of his pro career and the Raiders’ investment in Marcus Mariota this offseason does not reflect well on the 2014 second-round pick.

Mariota’s performances for the Tennessee Titans before he was benched for Ryan Tannehill did not suggest he could be the future at quarterback for the Raiders.

If the Raiders disappoint in their first year in Vegas, Mayock and Gruden will be under pressure and that may force their hand to make a move to get one of the draft’s top quarterbacks.

Putting a dual-threat like Fields in an offense featuring a downfield weapon in first-round pick Henry Ruggs III would allow the Raiders to stretch defenses deep while forcing them to respect what the quarterback can do with his legs.

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Carr and Mariota are not immobile but they present defenses with no such challenges. Gruden has been hamstrung by the limitations of Carr during his second spell with the Raiders, Fields would enable one of the league’s original modern-day innovators to open things up and help his offense reach its potential.

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