Roster Changes

 

Key additions

QB Mike Glennon, WR Antonio Brown, WR Tyrell Williams, WR J.J. Nelson, WR Ryan Grant, TE Darren Waller, TE Luke Willson, OT Trent Brown, G Richie Incognito, DE Benson Mayowa, DE Josh Mauro, OLB Vontaze Burfict, MLB Brandon Marshall, CB Nevin Lawson, DB Lamarcus Joyner, S Curtis Riley, S Jordan Richards

 

Key losses

QB A.J. McCarron, RB Marshawn Lynch, WR Jordy Nelson, WR Seth Roberts, WR Brandon LaFell, TE Jared Cook, OT Donald Penn, OT T.J. Clemmings, G Jon Feliciano, DE Frostee Rucker, DE Shilique Calhoun, CB Rashaan Melvin, CB Bene Benwikere, CB Leon Hall, S Marcus Gilchrist, S Reggie Nelson

 

2019 draft class

DE Clelin Ferrell (1.04), RB Josh Jacobs (1.24), S Johnathan Abram (1.27), CB Trayvon Mullen (2.40), DE Maxx Crosby (4.106), CB Isaiah Johnson (4.129), TE Foster Moreau (4.137), WR Hunter Renfrow (5.149), DE Quinton Bell (7.230)

 

Projected Starters

 

Offense

QB: Derek Carr
RB: Josh Jacobs
WR: Antonio Brown
WR: Tyrell Williams
WR: Hunter Renfrow
TE: Darren Waller
LT: Kolton Miller
LG: Richie Incognito
C: Rodney Hudson
RG: Gabe Jackson
RT: Trent Brown

 

Defense

DE: Clelin Ferrell
DT: Maurice Hurst
DE: Arden Key
OLB: Vontaze Burfict
MLB: Brandon Marshall
OLB: Tahir Whitehead
CB: Gareon Conley
CB: Trayvon Mullen
DB: Lamarcus Joyner
S: Karl Joseph
S: Johnathan Abram

 

Team Outlook

 

Notable depth

QB Mike Glennon, RB Doug Martin, RB Jalen Richard, FB Keith Smith, WR J.J. Nelson, WR Ryan Grant, WR Marcell Ateman, TE Foster Moreau, TE Derek Carrier, TE Luke Willson, OT Brandon Parker, G Denzelle Good, G Jordan Devey, DE Benson Mayowa, DE Josh Mauro, DE Maxx Crosby, DT Johnathan Hankins, DT P.J. Hall, DT Justin Ellis, DT Eddie Vanderdoes, OLB Marquel Lee, MLB Jason Cabinda, CB Nevin Lawson, CB Daryl Worley, CB Nick Nelson, S Curtis Riley, S Jordan Richards

 

Biggest strength: Offensive line

The signings of Trent Brown and Richie Incognito should help make Oakland’s offensive line return to 2016 form as one of the best in football, as the starting five projects to be strong across the board, especially if Kolton Miller (who needed some polishing coming out of UCLA) reaches his potential on the blindside. In a year where a lot of people will be counting the Raiders out, the offensive line can set the tone for the club to defy expectations.

 

Biggest weakness: Tight end

The Raiders are set everywhere except for tight end, and it will be up to converted receiver Darren Waller, veteran blocker Derek Carrier, rookie Foster Moreau, or offseason signing Luke Willson to emerge at the position. For what it’s worth, Jon Gruden said the team will give Waller “a chance of a lifetime” earlier this offseason, and the 26-year-old has the size (six-foot-six) and speed (4.46 40-yard dash) to be a difference-maker if he puts everything together when the pads come on.

 

Position battle to watch: Cornerback

Last year was a bit of a struggle in the secondary, but Oakland suddenly has plenty of pieces on the backend, and the perimeter cornerback spots in particular could be determined in training camp. Former first-round pick Gareon Conley projects to be the No. 1 guy, but he will need to earn it after the team used a top-50 selection on Clemson’s Trayvon Mullen, as Daryl Worley, Nick Nelson, and Nevin Lawson (who could man the slot when Lamarcus Joyner doesn’t) will also make a case for playing time.

 

One more thought

The skill-position players were completely overhauled in Mike Mayock’s first year on the job, and the offense now has two potential impact options in Antonio Brown and No. 24 overall pick Josh Jacobs. Things obviously didn’t end well in Pittsburgh for AB, but he has to know his reputation was damaged in the process, so he should hopefully be all ball and no drama in Silver and Black, while Jacobs will have built-in championship DNA from his time at Alabama.

 

Early over/under: 6 wins (via CBS Sports)

Over. Despite a brutal stretch of no true home games from September 16th through November 2nd, I expect the Raiders to improve in Year 2 under Jon Gruden with more of “his guys” in the building. Also, Derek Carr showed well down the stretch in 2018, and his added comfortability in the offense should only lead to more confidence this fall.