ROOKIE REVIEW

Given the success the Raiders had with their 2019 draft class, expectations coming into 2020 were that general manager Mike Mayock and coach Jon Gruden would be able to come at least reasonably close with their new batch of draftees.

So far, that hasn’t been the case. Not even close.

First-round picks Henry Ruggs III and Damon Arnette have been slowed by injuries, as has third-rounder Bryan Edwards. Tanner Muse, another third-rounder, had season-ending toe surgery. John Simpson and Amik Robertson have both played sparingly, getting their reps in primarily due to the injuries ahead of them.

That doesn’t even count Lynn Bowden Jr., who was traded to Miami less than two weeks before the season opener.

Granted, the schedule has only reached the midpoint and there’s plenty of time for the rookie class to improve.

Gruden says there are a number of factors that have contributed, specifically the truncated offseason which is a time when most rookies get their growing pains out of the way.

“We had a virtual draft, virtual offseason. Virtual is for the birds,” Gruden said. “I think it doesn’t help get these young guys ready as it did in years past. We like our young guys. It’s just the beginning for them. I think there’s reason why maybe they’re still waiting to explode onto the scene. But I’m very confident in them.”