It should not be hard to be optimistic heading into this season. The Raiders again have a change at head coach. This time, it’s a first-time, high-energy, player-focused head coach with an offensive background.
They finally drafted their QB of the future with Fernando Mendoza in the first round. Maxx Crosby is back, even after the team tried to ship him out.
Yet Mendoza didn’t win the job. The plan is for Kirk Cousins to get a shot at running the offense, despite being mid with far superior weapons in Atlanta last season. Brock Bowers is out. Michael Mayer got paid despite the team never really prioritizing him. Nobody really emerged as the Raiders’ go-to receiver. Ashton Jeanty is banged up. Mike Washington is third on the depth chart despite lighting up the preseason. Deonte Thornton is banged up. Now, we’re banking on Tre Tucker and Jack Bech to perform way above anything they’ve shown us so far. Josh Nailor also got some offseason hype, but he has mainly been a third or fourth receiver.
Defensively, the Raiders recharged their linebacker corps with two big signings. They also picked up a new slot corner. Despite needing some elite upgrades, their secondary group is pretty much the same. They’ll also have a new defensive coordinator for the first time in a few years. Patrick Graham survived three coaching regime changes. The new DC has big shoes to fill.
Overall, the Raiders have a favorable season opener versus the Dolphins at home. They will have to contain Malik Willis, who can tear them up on the ground and through the air. He is underrated and was good for Green Bay in spots. The Dolphins receivers won’t scare anyone. They’re a collective of youngins and washouts.
Expect Vegas to run the ball a ton. Expect Michael Mayer to get the ball spammed to him. Hopefully, they can get a play or two from their receiving group. If they can do that and their defense limits big plays, Vegas could actually start the season on the right side of victory. Then again, they won Week One last year, and look how that turned out.
