86. LAS VEGAS (10-8)
LAST SEASON: The Raiders survived a tumultuous 2021 to make the playoffs for just the second time in 19 seasons. Coach Jon Gruden resigned after five games because of the publication of his old offensive emails. Receiver Henry Ruggs III was released after being charged with felony DUI following a fatal car crash. The Raiders rallied to win their final four games under interim coach Rich Bisaccia to qualify as a wild card despite getting outscored by 65 points for the season. The defense led by star pass rusher Maxx Crosby was much improved, while the offense took a step back because of poor line play and the absence of Ruggs. The Raiders lost the wild-card game at Cincinnati and owner Mark Davis opted for a clean slate by replacing Bisaccia and GM Mike Mayock with coach Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler.
FREE AGENCY/TRADES: Acquired WR Davante Adams in trade with Green Bay. Traded DE Yannick Ngakoue to Indianapolis for CB Rock Ya-Sin. Signed edge rusher Chandler Jones, DT Bilal Nichols, CB Anthony Averett, RB Brandon Bolden, LB Jayon Brown, LB Kyler Fackrell, DT Andrew Billings, WR Demarcus Robinson, WR Mack Hollins, S Duron Harmon, FB Jakob Johnson, DT Kyle Peko, DT Vernon Butler, LB Micah Kiser, QB Nick Mullens, CB Cre’Von LeBlanc, CB Darius Phillips, RB Ameer Abdullah. Lost CB Casey Hayward, DT Quinton Jefferson, CB Brandon Facyson, DL Darius Philon, DL Solomon Thomas, WR Zay Jones, DE Carl Nassib, LB Cory Littleton, LB Nick Kwiatkoski, LB K.J. Wright, RB Jalen Richard, FB Alec Ingold, QB Marcus Mariota.
THEY NEED: RT, G, S, CB, LB, DT.
THEY DON’T NEED: WR, QB, TE.
POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Washington State T Abraham Lucas; Central Michigan OL Luke Goedeke; Maryland S Nick Cross.
OUTLOOK: The Raiders will have a long wait to make their first draft pick after trading away their first and second-rounders for Adams. This marks the first time since 2012 the team won’t pick in the first round. The lack of premium picks will make it difficult for McDaniels and Ziegler to add significant contributors, but they will be looking for help on the offensive line after 2021 first-round pick Alex Leatherwood struggled as a rookie. The only set spots on the line are LT Kolton Miller and C Andre James. The other big needs are in the secondary, especially at safety where 2019 first-rounder Johnathan Abram may not be a good fit for new coordinator Patrick Graham’s scheme that relies on two deep safeties. Cornerback is also a bit thin after losing Hayward in free agency.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://apnews.com/hub/pro-32 and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
