Raiders:State of the Union
Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 9:37 pm
As (one of) your resident Raiders fan (s), it took me some time to process this. I like it for the Raiders, as it' an "all in type move", sticking with the Vegas theme. Going with the interim guy, would have been a mistake. Rich was great in a short amount of time, but I don't believe he was the guy to take it forward. Josh's 6 Super Bowls, and what he did with Mac this year, that is impressive. Yes. Brady. However what I like most, as a fan, is that they are bringing in 2 guys in Ziegler and McDaniels who have worked together for years on drafting, player development, and all things in real football. Not Gruden and Mayock talking football as broadcaster. Two guys in a winning organization in hugely important position to it's success. Whether or not it works out, we will see, but I commend Davis for this move, if it goes through. Hit the ground running. A playoff team that can within a hair of taking the AFC representatives to OT. They need a move to keep pace, while keeping continuity, and this is the attempt at that. We shall see if Carr makes good on the "team friendly deal" he's alluded to for some time, or if they move him, but rest assured, IMO, one or the other will happen this off season.
As for the FF implications.
QB: Carr is even more of a value if he stays IMO, with McDaniels. Derek has done well in FF terms for years and been a value vs his ADP. Grab him now, before the dust settles, IMO. Either he gets an upgrade, or gets moved to a team that's a QB away with weapons already there. Something the Raiders sorely lacked this year on the outside. Despite Zay Jones and Bryan Edwards being the two main options outside this year, Carr was still a high end QB2.
RB: Jacobs. This is a really interesting one. I was telling you all to buy Jacobs at his ADP this year, as he was undervalued. I was right on that, he produced as I expected, and in fact had 58 catches over 16 games, including the playoff game. Now we come to it. Was the system NE ran a product of BB, and what he wanted? Was it McDaniels. The Pats early down backs do not catch many passes. Drake is under contract for another year. There is the very real possibility Jacobs reverts back to a 2 down banger and Drake becomes the "James White". There's even a chance Richard or James White himself becomes that. There is always the chance McDaniels breaks loose from the shackles of the NE system and just runs Jacobs into the ground in year 4 of his contract. At this point, I do not believe they have taken on the 5th year option. This will be a very polarizing issue this off season, as his value will really hinge on the "NE system" views, vs the "run him into the ground" views and let him walk.
WR: Big, big win for Hunter Renfrow. He's already one of the top slot men in the league, and McDaniels has been scheming big reception totals for that position. Edwards I don't expect to be a fit. I expect him to disappear into the ether. He's a slow, lumbering, WR who can get open in zones and crossers, and is competent at 50/50 balls, not much else. Zay Jones is a tenacious blocker. Could go either way. He may earn a starting role, as he came on a played well last year, but I expect the outside to be overhauled. There was never much value here to begin with, on the outside. Renfrow is the only guy who is "safe." I would expect an extension with Hunter. He's just a piece McDaniels would be ecstatic over, given his history.
TE: Waller is safe, obviously. McDaniels is creative enough to know what he has. Health will be his main concern.
Moreau is an interesting player. I think he's capable of being top 32. They may use him due to lack of WR options even with Waller year 1, and he could earn a contract elsewhere after that. If Waller falls off a bit, they may keep him. he's young.
Would love to hear what you all think about the Raiders players you roster, or are thinking of rostering.
As for the FF implications.
QB: Carr is even more of a value if he stays IMO, with McDaniels. Derek has done well in FF terms for years and been a value vs his ADP. Grab him now, before the dust settles, IMO. Either he gets an upgrade, or gets moved to a team that's a QB away with weapons already there. Something the Raiders sorely lacked this year on the outside. Despite Zay Jones and Bryan Edwards being the two main options outside this year, Carr was still a high end QB2.
RB: Jacobs. This is a really interesting one. I was telling you all to buy Jacobs at his ADP this year, as he was undervalued. I was right on that, he produced as I expected, and in fact had 58 catches over 16 games, including the playoff game. Now we come to it. Was the system NE ran a product of BB, and what he wanted? Was it McDaniels. The Pats early down backs do not catch many passes. Drake is under contract for another year. There is the very real possibility Jacobs reverts back to a 2 down banger and Drake becomes the "James White". There's even a chance Richard or James White himself becomes that. There is always the chance McDaniels breaks loose from the shackles of the NE system and just runs Jacobs into the ground in year 4 of his contract. At this point, I do not believe they have taken on the 5th year option. This will be a very polarizing issue this off season, as his value will really hinge on the "NE system" views, vs the "run him into the ground" views and let him walk.
WR: Big, big win for Hunter Renfrow. He's already one of the top slot men in the league, and McDaniels has been scheming big reception totals for that position. Edwards I don't expect to be a fit. I expect him to disappear into the ether. He's a slow, lumbering, WR who can get open in zones and crossers, and is competent at 50/50 balls, not much else. Zay Jones is a tenacious blocker. Could go either way. He may earn a starting role, as he came on a played well last year, but I expect the outside to be overhauled. There was never much value here to begin with, on the outside. Renfrow is the only guy who is "safe." I would expect an extension with Hunter. He's just a piece McDaniels would be ecstatic over, given his history.
TE: Waller is safe, obviously. McDaniels is creative enough to know what he has. Health will be his main concern.
Moreau is an interesting player. I think he's capable of being top 32. They may use him due to lack of WR options even with Waller year 1, and he could earn a contract elsewhere after that. If Waller falls off a bit, they may keep him. he's young.
Would love to hear what you all think about the Raiders players you roster, or are thinking of rostering.