The latter lost his way after a solid 2015 season. It's fair to take Mario Edwards Jr.'s 14-game absence into account during the previous year, but it's not an excuse with Justin Ellis and Dan Williams in the middle. According to Team Rankings, ball-carriers averaged 4.5 yards per carry against the Raiders' porous front-line defense. The Silver and Black gave the green light to opposing running backs throughout the 2016 season. Oakland needs help along the defensive line, specifically in run defense. After the Chicago Bears released the 25-year-old, the Green Bay Packers claimed him off waivers, but he failed the team's physical. In the best-case scenario, another ball-carrier would take over for Lynch when he hangs up his cleats on the phone line for a second time.Īccording to ProFootballTalk via Twitter, the Raiders recently brought defensive tackle Ego Ferguson in for a workout.
#Raiders roster 2017 full#
According to Rang, the team should take advantage of a deep running back class, similar to the point he made above about incoming cornerbacks:Īdding Lynch to the Raiders' dynamic offense is sure to get Oakland (and fantasy football enthusiasts) excited, but do not expect McKenzie to ignore the position come draft day even if the anticipated trade goes through.Īdding Lynch would give the Raiders an obvious headliner, but the Raiders would still likely take full advantage of this year's depth at the position. The decision to draft a running back in the fourth or fifth round would give the team a safety blanket in case Lynch doesn't revert to Beast Mode form or misses time with injury. Then, of course, the offense allotted the bulk of rush attempts to Murray, DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard. Despite his value on special teams, Taiwan Jones lists as a ball-carrier. Many people forget the team carried five running backs in the previous season, when including fullback Jamize Olawale.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65152915/usa_today_12919485.0.jpg "raiders roster 2017")
However, the front office should still draft a bruising running back as Lynch's insurance and replacement in two years. The team still needs a replacement for Latavius Murray.īarring an unforeseen change of heart between the teams or the player, Lynch will likely lead the Raiders backfield in 2017. Despite optimism from all parties involved, Oakland hasn't agreed to a deal with the retired tailback, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Seattle Seahawks still own his rights. It's best to acquire an asset at the position to prevent a disaster rather than deal with a second-level defensive collapse later on.īefore you scream "Beast Mode" at the screen, running back Marshawn Lynch isn't a Raider yet. However, another underwhelming season for the secondary, along with Carrie's potential departure, could plunge the team's pass defense into deep peril. It's a well-represented position in this year's class, according to one scout, per draft analyst Rob Rang: "I had one longtime scout, in fact, emphatically state that opinion, commenting that he had first- or second-day grades on a remarkable 22 cornerbacks-far and away the most of any position this year and the most cornerbacks to get such lofty grades over his 20-plus years in the league." The front office shouldn't wait for the 2018 draft to pick up a quality cornerback. He also saw cornerbacks Sean Smith and David Amerson struggle in deep coverage during the previous campaign. Carrie on the free-agent market after the 2017 season. McKenzie knows the secondary could lose versatile defensive back T.J. General managers must project and see into the future. The draft isn't about stocking the roster solely for the following season. What voids should McKenzie address during the draft? We'll rank each roster need from least to greatest. Super Bowl-caliber clubs find multiple ways to close out their opponents.Ĭan the Raiders consistently depend on their defense to close the deal in a low-scoring, snowy game in sub-zero temperatures? At the moment, it's an unreliable unit with several holes. McKenzie doesn't have to go with an all-defensive draft, but six out of the team's eight picks should be utilized on starters, depth and future impact players on defense.ĭespite a porous defense, Oakland won 12 games in 2016, but what would happen to the team's chances at winning if quarterback Derek Carr goes down with an injury or struggles against the opposition? Good football teams can win with their strengths. The Raiders can potentially score 35-plus points in any given contest, but the defense must pull its weight outside of edge-rushers Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin.
#Raiders roster 2017 free#
Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie focused primarily on offensive depth during free agency, but he must go full throttle on the team's defense at the draft. The 2017 NFL draft kicks off on April 27.
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