ESPN Insider Offseason Priorities: Oakland Raiders

[iowajerms]

The Oakland Raiders finished a disappointing 3-13 in 2014, although given their early-season start of 0-10 there are some signs that the arrow is pointing up. In particular, rookies Derek Carr and Khalil Mack looked like potential building-block pieces at quarterback and linebacker, respectively.

However, there is a ton of uncertainty facing this organization at head coach and in the front office, and there are significant personnel needs all over the roster.

Here are Oakland's top offseason priorities:

1. Consider trading back from the No. 4 spot

The assumption here is that Carr will remain in place as the starting quarterback and someone the team will want to build around. The Raiders could try to trade their first-round pick to a team looking to draft a quarterback early, but it's not clear this far out whether such a scenario is realistic -- a lot will depend upon whether the owners of the top two picks, Tampa Bay and Tennessee, opt to draft a quarterback or look for trade-back opportunities themselves.

Oakland did very well in landing Mack with the fifth overall pick last year, but a case could be made that this team needs multiple picks more than it needs a single high pick. Trading back could be a realistic goal for the team's new leadership.

2. Resolve coaching uncertainty

Dennis Allen was the first coach fired during the 2014 season. The Raiders might have held some appeal for Jim Harbaugh had he preferred the Bay Area to the University of Michigan, but most candidates are not going to see Oakland as a prime landing spot. How ambitious will owner Mark Davis be when trying to improve the Raiders' credibility? Harbaugh is off the board, but will he land a big name? Doing so might require paying top dollar not only for the head coach, but for the staff as well.

3. Determine front-office structure

Oakland was a rumored landing spot for Harbaugh, and was previously a rumored landing spot for Jon Gruden before the ESPN analyst signed a recent contract extension with the network. Hiring a high-profile coach sometimes requires changing the organizational structure to give that coach greater authority. How will the Raiders proceed on that front, and what will it mean for Reggie McKenzie or whomever the general manager happens to be?

4. How will the Raiders use all that cap space?

Oakland once again enters an offseason with tons of salary cap space. Last time, the Raiders made short-term bets on older players while failing to re-sign building-block players such as Jared Veldheer and Lamarr Houston. Building through free agency is not feasible for teams without a baseline level of talent, especially when those teams do not have upper-tier quarterbacks. Tampa Bay demonstrated that last offseason.

Can the Raiders become the rare team that uses free agency to become respectable after ranking among the worst teams in the league? They do not have top-level players to re-sign (center Stefen Wisniewski might be the best one). Will there be a Ndamukong Suh-type talent available?

5. Is the AFC West going to help Oakland?

Playing in a division featuring Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers and Andy Reid has been no fun for Oakland, the only team in the AFC West building around a young quarterback. The Raiders are going to need help from their division rivals if they are going to become relevant again. The Chiefs and Chargers were hit-and-miss teams during the second half of the 2014 season. There were signs Manning was slowing down in Denver. There are no guarantees the rest of the AFC West is going to take a step backward, but it would sure help the Raiders.

Offseason fixes for Oakland Raiders - NFL - ESPN
By Mike Sando

 

[idahoraiderfan33]

Thanks IowaGerms.. But ESPN has no cred with Raider Fans.. Its TMZ with sports highlights.. The only good things about ESPN is catching Mel Kiper break down college players, and catching some Dub games..

 

[flaraider]

Thanks IowaGerms.. But ESPN has no cred with Raider Fans.. Its TMZ with sports highlights.. The only good things about ESPN is catching Mel Kiper break down college players, and catching some Dub games..

Boy ain't that the truth, ESPN has loved to turn the screws on the Raiders for as long as I can remember, while they have some valid points, I think the perception of the Raiders as career suicide is changing, I do know we are seeing a far better selection of candidates than we had last time around.

ESPN has seemed more than happy watching the Raiders circle the drain for the last decade, I don't expect that to change anytime soon.

 

[trojanfight]

interesting to see what happens in free agency. don't see a scenario of landing a all pro player like dez bryant or demaryius thomas. Suh would be a big name. i thought the defense was decent overall. offense wore them out so many 3 and outs and inability to move the ball consistently. but there aren't a lot of solid receivers after the all pros in my opinion.

 

[idahoraiderfan33]

Hey Stephen A Smith.. You are starting to become a joke dude!! You know nothing, and only talk cuz you can!! Its Cat's like you that are ruining ESPN!! I JUST CHANGE THE CHANNEL BABY.. You guy's do have some Honey's that work on there though.. So you have that at least..