Antonio Pierce was named full-time head coach, and it looks like the team is really excited about it. He believes in a solid running game and hard-nosed defense, and the rest will follow. He’s trying to mold the team in Maxx Crosby’s image, and if anything can be indicated by the game they played against the Chiefs on the road last year, there are good things to come for the Raiders.
The Raiders wanted to move up in the draft to get one of the young quarterbacks, but they weren’t able to do so. Instead, they plan on giving O’Connell the first chance and hope to build on his last year’s success. O’Connell is a very stiff quarterback with limited mobility and not the greatest arm, so it would be surprising to see him play 17 games this season. The Raiders signed Minshew to a free agent deal in the offseason, and he may be the starter sooner rather than later. Minshew makes a lot of mistakes, but he also does a lot of things that other quarterbacks don’t do, like taking chances downfield and running when least expected.
White came on like gangbusters in the second-half of the year and couldn’t be taken out of the lineup. He was a sensational running back at the University of Georgia and he finally has his chance now to be the lead back on the Raiders. He’s never going to be much of a receiving talent, but he’s certainly a terrific first and second-down running back and will also excel in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Mattison was brought over for depth, and Laube was drafted to be used as a receiving back. Keep your eyes on Laube, as I think that there is almost like a Danny Woodhead-type upside if he’s given the opportunity.
The only thing holding Adams back is the quarterback play. It’s hard to imagine the Raiders letting O’Connell throw more than 30 to 35 times a game, which means that Adams probably will have less than 1200 yards receiving. If, however, Minshew is named the quarterback, then it’s likely that Adams will maintain his second-round value and WR1 fantasy status.
Meyers is never going to impress people with his speed or his size, but he’s an exceptional route runner. He has the advantage of playing across the field from Adams, who always sees the other team’s CB1. It’s easy to see the Raiders trying to run the ball 30 times a game, which is going to leave limited opportunities in the passing attack for Meyers and all other receivers not named Adams.
Many onlookers were shocked that the Raiders selected Bowers in Round 1 of this past year’s NFL draft, considering they selected Michael Mayer from Notre Dame last year in Round 2. But the old adage is that you always take the best player available regardless, and that’s exactly what the Raiders did. Bowers is an uber-talented tight end who was uncoverable in college. They’re going to figure out ways to get him the football, as he is a mismatch against any linebacker in coverage.
The Raiders are not going to be a ton of fun to watch, as their games are going to be grind-it-out, solid-defense-type games. That said, Zamir White has a chance to be a standout, but a lot is going to depend on the quarterback’s play.
