AFC West power rankings: Is it the best division in the NFL?

It’s the third year in head coach Jon Gruden’s second stint with the Silver and Black as the franchise makes the move to Sin City. The Raiders have certainly made progress under his guidance and hiring Mike Mayock to be the general manager in 2019 has proven to be a plus as well. The club has drafted extremely effectively in recent years and will once again need some of their young players to step up sooner than later.

The team’s three first-round picks were all solid selections a year ago, although safety Johnathan Abram missed most of the season. Running back Josh Jacobs finished eighth in the league in rushing yardage and defensive Clelin Ferrell was a boost to Paul Guenther’s young front.

Quarterback Derek Carr has been much maligned but his best seasons in terms of completion percentage have come these past two years. His two most productive pass catchers were tight and Darren Waller and rookie Hunter Renfrow, while former Chargers’ wideout Tyrell Williams led the club with six TD grabs. The team used its initial first-round selection this year on former University of Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III.

This was a football team that won six of its first 10 games a year ago before slumping down the stretch. Can 2019 prove to be a learning experience? Obviously, it won’t be easy in this division.