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OFFENSE: B
If you like numbers, the Raiders delivered.
By most individual measurements, Derek Carr was a Top 10 quarterback while throwing for a career-high 4,103 yards. For the first time in franchise history, the Raiders have had a 4,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher (Josh Jacobs), and 1,000-yard receiver (Darren Waller) in consecutive seasons.
Waller set the team record for most catches (107) in a season. Jacobs became the first running back in franchise history to start his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard efforts.
Nelson Agholor was a find on the wide receiver, scoring a career-best 896 yards in one season, while also placing second in the NFL with six touchdown receptions over 20 yards.
But the offensive line couldn’t stay healthy and Jacobs averaged just 3.9 yards per carry for what was a terribly inconsistent running game. Wide rookie and first-round pick Henry Ruggs disappointed with just 26 catches on 43 targets, and the Raiders were 23rd in red zone point percentage (54.2), again settling for way too many goals. in the field.
Turnover was also a big problem. The Raiders had 16 fumbles, a league-high, and a turnover ratio of under 11.
DEFENSE: F
Ah, the bane of the Raiders’ existence.
There was no Alpha to lean on for a unit that couldn’t stay healthy. No real leader to follow. No type of player has good defensive characteristics to make a difference. No liability.
The Raiders again had a heck of a time creating their own luck, ranking 30th among NFL teams with just 15 takeaways. They couldn’t put pressure on the quarterback at all, totaling just 21 sacks to rank 29th in the league. Maxx Crosby led the team in the sacks for a second straight season, but even his production fell from 10 at seven o ‘clock.
Some of those signed through free agency – linebacker Cory Littleton (82 tackles, Pro Football Focus rating of 71 out of 90 eligible linebackers) and tackle Maliek Collins (125th of 130 tackles) – have seriously underperformed in good health.
Others – linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (81 tackles, 20th of 90) for one – have been better. And as far as sophomore Clelin Ferrell has improved, second-year safety Johnathan Abram and rookie cornerback Damon Arnette have struggled a lot.
The Raiders were 25th in yards allowed and 30th in points against, allowing averages of 389.1 and 29.9. Now they have to hire a new coordinator to try and fix things.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A
Daniel Carlson deserves the majority of praise here. The placekicker set a franchise record for points in one season with 144. He placed fourth in the NFL for field goals (33) and his 94.3 percentage was sixth among those with a low of. 15 attempts. Carlson also led the league with field goals between 20 and 29 yards – a perfect 18 for 18.
The Raiders may have found their future punt comeback in Hunter Renfrow, whose 11.5 average helped the team to place fifth in the NFL. AJ Cole is averaging 40.1 yards per punt and has had 20 of 44 offers downed inside the 20-yard line.
The next step here is for Renfrow and the other returlers to create the kind of big games that separate the best units in the league.
COACHING: C
That’s an overall rating based on an 8-8 finish. The Raiders have improved their winning tally under Jon Gruden in each of the past three seasons, but none have brought a playoff berth.
Gruden certainly needs to do a better job shaping her roster and then coaching her. His career struggles with end-of-season failures from the teams he leads must end if the Raiders are ever to keep any real promise under him.
Everyone has to be better.
– Ed Graney / Revue-Journal
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