The Oakland Raiders appear to be maintaining the status quo according to ESPN. In the past two offseasons, ESPN has released a roster ranking for every NFL team and in both rankings the Raiders have placed 28th. So what is being said about the team this year?
"Top five players: Khalil Mack, Dan Williams, Donald Penn, Gabe Jackson, Rodney Hudson
Starters who should be upgraded: Khalif Barnes, Mychal Rivera, Derek Carr, Curtis Lofton
Analysis: The Raiders were surprisingly solid on the offensive line last season, particularly in pass protection. First-round rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper should be an immediate upgrade to what was a below-average receiving corps in 2014. Quarterback Carr received heaps of praise in some circles for his rookie season, but he still has ways to go to prove he's the answer in Oakland.
The defensive side of the ball is led by second-year linebacker Mack, who proved a dominant force against the run as a rookie. He can still improve as a pass-rusher, and if that part of his game comes around, he'll be a Pro Bowler for years to come. Adding nose tackle Williams in free agency should help the run defense."
Many are expecting a breakout season from Mack this year, especially as his opportunities to rush the passer increase. And while Cooper will undoubtedly help Carr, it's unclear if Carr can help Cooper.
The second-year quarterback impressed Oakland last year, throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 21 touchdowns despite a severe lack of talent around him. In that regard, Carr far surpassed expectations and managed to succeed in spite of Oakland's extreme roster limitations. It's likely the team would have been picking first overall this year if not for Carr. However, his 5.46 yards per attempt was one of the lowest marks for a starting QB in NFL history and his completion percentage cratered in the second half of the season (61 percent versus 56 percent).
The Raiders believe Carr can develop into a franchise quarterback and are in the process of putting quality pieces around him (Clive Walford should help). But will Carr be able to take advantage of them? He had his shining moments as a rookie but that's a question that must be answered definitively this season so the Raiders can plan their future accordingly.
