Oakland Raiders Offseason Grade

Austin Cunningham

Follow him on Twitter @austincham33

Follow Whole Nine Sports on Twitter @WholeNineSports

Trades

Raiders get: WR Antonio Brown – A+ Impact 10/10



Steelers get: 2019 3rd round pick, 2019 5th round pick



Landing Antonio Brown this offseason was a fantastic move by the Raiders, especially since they were able to keep all three of their first round picks. Brown is older and signed to a massive contract extension through the trade but his productivity has yet to drop. One must wonder how efficient he will be with a different quarterback and to how much credit does go to his former quarterback. Gruden will scheme up some great plays for Brown as his offense is falling right into place.

Raiders get: 2015 5th round pick – B Impact 7/10



Jets get: OL Kelechi Osemele, 2019 6th round pick



Trading Kelechi Osemele was nice for the Raiders because they were able to get a draft pick for it and allow a younger, cheaper player to step up and fill the void.

Re-Signings

DT Johnathan Hankins – B Impact 8/10



S Erik Harris – C+ Impact 3/10



K Daniel Carlson – B+ Impact 8/10



OL Denzelle Good – C Impact 4/10



OT Justin Murray – C- Impact 3/10



RB Jalen Richard – B- Impact 6/10



RB Doug Martin – C+ Impact 4/10



WR Marcell Ateman – C+ Impact 4/10



LB Jason Cabinda – B- Impact 3/10



Oakland did a good job resigning players that will provide valuable depth for their team this next season. Of this bunch, it’s likely that only Hankins, Carlson, and Richard will be legitimate contributors.

Released/Lost in Free Agency

TE Jared Cook – Impact 9/10



OT Donald Penn – Impact 8/10



WR Jordy Nelson – Impact 6/10



QB AJ McCarron – Impact 2/10



RB Doug Martin – Impact 4/10



WR Seth Roberts – Impact 5/10



OL Jon Feliciano – Impact 4/10



CB Rashaan Melvin – Impact 7/10

This is a long list are some names that were in starting roles for the Raiders last season. With a new front office and Gruden wanting to make this his team it is no surprise how long the list is. Losing Cook and Penn could be a shock to some but their age and salary for this next season would have been unnecessary since they are looking to get younger and faster.

Free Agency

OT Trent Brown – A Impact 10/10



DB Lamarcus Joyner – A Impact 9/10



WR Tyrell Williams – A Impact 9/10



LB Vontaze Burfict – B Impact 7/10



RB Isaiah Crowell – C Impact 6/10



LB Brandon Marshall – B+ Impact 8/10



The Raiders had money to spend this offseason and boy did they spend it the right way. Locking up a talented left tackle and signing him to a four year contract to solidify him there in the core part of their rebuild. Then adding defensive talent for their secondary in Lamarcus Joyner who will have an impact immediately. Then adding a big target in Tyrell Williams will help Derek Carr and Jon Gruden as he continues to build his offense. A month before the draft the Raiders continued to add some veteran help for their defense with Vontaze Burfict and Brandon Marshall from within the division. If Burfict can stay out of trouble and stay healthy he will be a good acquisition for the Raiders defense. Marshall needs to prove that he is still a valuable linebacker in this league and will get that opportunity with Raiders while getting to face the team that let him go two years ago.

Draft



Pick 1.4 – EDGE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson – B+ Impact 8/10

Pick 1.24 – RB Josh Jacobs, Alabama – A- Impact 9/10

Pick 1.27 – S Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State – B+ Impact 7/10

Pick 2.40 – CB Trayvon Mullen, Clemson – B Impact 6/10

Pick 4.106 – EDGE Maxx Crosby, Eastern Michigan – C Impact 4/10

Pick 4.129 – CB Isaiah Johnson, Houston – C Impact 3/10

Pick 4.137 – TE Foster Moreau, LSU – C Impact 7/10

Pick 5.149 – WR Hunter Renfrow, Clemson – B Impact 5/10

Pick 7.230 – EDGE Quinton Bell, Prairie View A&M – C Impact 3/10

The Oakland Raiders, Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden nailed this draft. They completely knocked it out of the park. The only questionable decision was the obvious fourth pick of the draft when they took Clelin Ferrell, but if that is their guy and they could not find a suitable trade partner, then take him right there knowing you got him. Then going with Josh Jacobs, who will be a plug and play type running back allowing them to keep extra running back bodies for camp or use them for trades. Jacobs will be utilized greatly by Gruden and will add that extra wrinkle for his offense.

With their third pick in the first round they went with a guy that has a great relationship with Gruden in Johnathan Abram. He will be the voice of that defense for years to come. In the second round the Raiders went back to defense in taking one of the best corners in the class with Mullen, then again taking one of the athletic freaks at the combine in Isaiah Johnson. If these guys work hard and develop properly, then the Raiders secondary is going to be terrifying for years to come.

Oakland made sure get depth at the defensive end position with Crosby and Bell. While they were drafted in the later rounds they will be given time to sit back, learn and develop for the future. The Raiders focused on players with experience and leadership roles in college. Getting Renfrow and Moreau were great picks in the middle rounds for the leadership aspect and reliability for Gruden. They have that playmaking ability and have the potential to become a big part of this offense moving forward.

Overall

The Raiders had a great first offseason under Mike Mayock and really put themselves in position to succeed. Mayock drafted high-character players for the most part that should be able to step in immediately to contribute. The Raiders seem to be aggressive but at the same time making the best moves to succeed both now and in the future. Look out for this team for years to come.



Grade: A