As they transition from free agency to the upcoming draft, the Raiders have fewer holes to patch up than they did when the 2019 season ended. That doesn’t mean GM Mike Mayock and coach Jon Gruden won’t add on to areas that they’ve already addressed to a certain extent.
For example, the front office made defense a priority in free agency. While they were fairly successful in adding to the defensive line and linebackers, there remains holes in the secondary despite the additions of cornerback Eli Apple and safety Jeff Heath.
Likewise, while the Raiders acquired Nelson Agholor, the wide receiver position remains in sore need of an upgrade.
So, barring another coronavirus-related setback in the NFL schedule, it’s highly likely that both wide receiver and the secondary will be atop the Raiders list as they settle in for the draft.
It makes sense, too, especially at wide receiver.
A year ago Gruden believed he had put that issue to rest when the team traded for Antonio Brown and signed him to a lucrative extension. But Brown went Brown and turned everything upside down, jump-starting a chaotic year when the Raiders receiving corps was a mess for most of the year.
Denne historien er fra May 2020-utgaven av Silver & Black Illustrated.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 2020-utgaven av Silver & Black Illustrated.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
‘We have to be a much more detailed football team'
Like so many Raiders fans, coach Jon Gruden found himself searching for answers after the Raiders’ second-half collapse that cost the team a spot in the expanded playoffs.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Starting Tackle Kolton Miller is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Wanted: Defensive coordinator
The Raiders didn’t wait long to begin their search for a new defensive coordinator, and it’s becoming clear that Jon Gruden has already narrowed his list down.
Raiders' good, bad, ugly
Raiders’ good, bad, ugly
NEWS & NOTES
The Raiders had one of the easier schedules in 2020 and got only eight wins to show for it. Things won’t get any easier in 2021, either.
Looking back at 2020 season
The 2020 season will absolutely be remembered for being one of the strangest and most disappointing in franchise history.
Gruden feeling the heat?
“I know there is a big bull’s-eye on my chest, certainly. If the people want to use that as an incentive, then so be it. I worked for Al Davis in 1998. That was pressure. I was 34 years old. I’ve dealt with pressure before. I don’t really feel pressure. I love the excitement and thrill of competing, and I can’t worry about things I can’t control in that regard. I know people will want to step on me and beat me, and that is just the way this league is.”
From the SILVERANDBLACK.com Message Boards
S&BI continually scans the message boards across Raider Nation to see what Raider fans are talking about now that the 2020 season has ended for the Raiders. We chose some of the better posts and present them here.
Checklist for 2021
Now that the 2020 season has been put to rest for Las Vegas, the Raiders have shifted their focus to what figures to be a busy offseason as they prepare for 2021.
AFC WEST ROUNDUP
The Chargers fired coach Anthony Lynn after four seasons.
