KC Chiefs: Grading each AFC West team’s 2019 offseason
By Cullen Jekel
Oakland Raiders
Last Year’s Record: 4-12
Postseason Result: lol
The Raiders started the offseason in true Raider fashion by hiring a general manager who has no front office experience whatsoever. But hey: a) he’s head coach Jon Gruden’s friend and b) he worked for a cable network, which is about all the experience needed to be a decision maker in Oakland these days.
Aside from hiring Mike Mayock to “run” things, the Raiders also made another very curious decision in their selection with the first of their three first-round draft picks last month.
With the fourth overall pick, Oakland selected Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell. Sure, Ferrell had a great collegiate career, and he was unanimously considered a first-round talent–but fourth overall? Really? Especially with other dynamic defensive linemen still available, like Houston’s Ed Oliver and Kentucky’s Josh Allen.
The Raiders’ other two first-round draft picks were less confusing.
With the 24th pick, they selected Alabama running back Josh Jacobs, the consensus top-ranked running back in the draft. He should start immediately for Oakland in the aftermath of Marshawn Lynch‘s re-retirement and Isaiah Crowell’s back luck season-ending Achilles tear.
Three picks later, Oakland added to its secondary, adding safety Johnathan Abram from Mississippi State. In a division that features Patrick Mahomes, Philip Rivers, and (to a lesser extent) Joe Flacco, a strong secondary is key to success. Abramm is a nice add.
In rounds two through seven, the Raiders made another six selections, two of them cornerbacks (Trayvon Mullen in the second, Isaiah Johnson in the fourth), two of them defensive front-seven players (defensive end Maxx Crosby in the fourth, linebacker Quinton Bell in the seventh), and two of them pass catchers (wide receiver Hunter Renfrow in the fifth, tight end Foster Moreau in the seventh).