The 2022 season has just ended, and as of March 13, the 2023 campaign will open its doors. DNA of Sports therefore takes the opportunity to offer you an overview of the different franchises during the off-season. Which players to keep and cut? Which free agent to extend? Which rookies to watch? Here are some ideas, franchise by franchise. In the spotlight today, the Las Vegas Raiders.
If we thought the beginnings of Josh McDaniels complicated in Denver, what about those made since his arrival in Nevada. A sad record of six wins for eleven losses, nine losses suffered by a gap of seven points or less, and a new controversy at the quarterback position, with the announced departure of Derek Carr, which is reminiscent of the breaking point achieved with Jay Cutler on the Colorado side. Just ahead of Denver in the AFC West division, the Raiders still see their neighbor start on new bases, with a change of head coach. For its part, Las Vegas seems to be at a crossroads and will have to find a lot of solutions for key positions to hope to get off to a good start…
The owners
1. Davante Adams (WR)
2. Maxx Crosby (DE)
3. Kolton Miller (OT)
4. Divine Deablo (LB)
5. Nate Hobbs (CB)
If the black and silver workforce seems a little unbalanced, it may be partly because the franchise broke the bank to get an elite receiver, in the person of Davante Adams. Not sure she regrets it, however, the former lieutenant of Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay having compiled 1,516 yards and 14 touchdowns during the 2022 campaign. With Josh Jacobs, soon to be a free agent, and Kolton Milller, he is one of the main positive points offended. In defense, satisfactions exist but injuries did not spare this group. Beyond Maxx Crosby, the only real player capable of generating pressure on the opposing quarterback, the young Divine Deablo and Nate Hobbs had good runs, but could not complete a full exercise.
Undesirables
– Derek Carr (QB)
– Andre James (OL)
It’s no secret: Derek Carr was shown the exit, and risks being cut off in the next few hours, for lack of interesting exchange partners. If the maneuver will not allow the franchise to recover any consideration, it will be an opportunity to save nearly 30 million dollars on the market for free players. Small consolation. Another player likely to pay the pots to offer additional money: Andre James. Rarely at the party in recent years, the center could be replaced permanently by Dylan Parham on the axis of the line and offer a rebate of almost six million dollars to Vegas with his cut.
The summer man
Josh McDaniels
By recovering in a delicate position, by his unequivocal disavowal of Derek Carr, Josh McDaniels knows he is expected at the turn of the year 2023. The former coordinator of the Patriots was already announced in the hot seat at the end of season, and his salvation is apparently only due to stories of big money. Not sure that Mark Davis and others are so indulgent in the event of a missed second year, even if it were a transition year. As a reminder, in Denver, it was in the middle of its second season that “JMD” was shown the door. He will no doubt pray that history does not repeat itself at the neighbor of AFC South…
Josh Jacobs, an offensive necessity. But at what cost ?
The main free agents
1. Josh Jacobs (RB)
2. Denzel Perryman (LB)
3. Jarrett Stidham (QB)
4. Mack Hollins (WR)
5. Rock Ya-Sin (BC)
The others: Foster Moreau (TE), Clelin Ferrell (DE), Andrew Billings (DT), Jayon Brown (LB), Duron Harmon (S), Anthony Averett (CB).
Given the delicate situation at the quarterback position, it appears as a necessity to re-sign a Josh Jacobs author of 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground, and whose good outings have often coincided with the return to form of his own. Other young players claim to extend their adventure in Nevada, but that will undoubtedly depend on the price to be paid. Jarrett Stidham will be a preferred option due to his knowledge of the McDaniels system and Mack Hollins has demonstrated its value as an alternative aerial option, in the wake of his good year in Miami.
Top 5 Needs
1. Quarterback
2.Cornerback
3. Offensive line
4. Defensive line
5. Running back
As already mentioned, the main project will be the quarterback position. But the positions of cornerback and offensive lineman continue to raise questions, at the cost of timid or far too inconclusive investments. On the first defensive curtain, Las Vegas composed with a Chandler Jones who underperformed on the outside and with a makeshift duo in the center. It is important to bring more wingspan into the trenches. The need for running back is conditioned to the situation of Josh Jacobs.
James Bradberry (24) left to leave Pennsylvania. Off to Vegas?
Target
James Bradberry (CB)
Unlucky hero of Super Bowl 57 lost to Kansas City, with the defensive grab signed against him, James Bradberry is nonetheless a top cornerback, fit to be the main option in any other franchise. The salary situation should not allow Philadelphia to extend it and Las Vegas could be tempted to bet on him to restore the look of its cover, in a division where Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Russell Wilson (under the control of Sean Payton).
The new blood
Peter Skoronski (OT)
If the Raiders favor another option for the position of quarterback (Jimmy Garoppolo who knows the head coach in place?), a boon could present itself with their seventh pick of the next draft: the possibility of recovering the best tackle available from the board. Smaller than others on the position, and despite question marks on his arm length and amplitude, the Northwestern technician is an exceptional athlete and has the ability like Kolton Miller to progress at high speed on a line that badly needs it, as a guard, if Parham refocuses or as a right tackle. With a big football IQ, Skoronski was as comfortable protecting the quarterback as opening up breaches on the ground and would greatly facilitate the expected transition in the offensive sector.
Other choices: Paris Johnson Jr. (OT), Bryan Breese (DT).
