The 2021 season has just ended, and from March 16, the 2022 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
Despite a particularly turbulent season off the field, the Raiders have shown extraordinary resilience and fighting spirit. Entering an nth new cycle, the franchise has entrusted the reins of the sportsman to two former Patriots, Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler, respectively head coach and general manager. The new strongmen can use the foundations in place as a basis, but there are many areas for improvement to make the team a regular contender for the playoffs.
The owners
1. Derek Carr (QB)
2. Maxx Crosby (DE)
3. Hunter Renfrow (WR)
Author of his most productive season with more than 4800 yards, all with a body of targets far from what is best in the NFL, Derek Carr has once again proven that he was a reliable quarterback. Undisputed leader, he led his team to victory several times in the last moments of the matches as during the qualification for the playoffs obtained at the end of the extension of the last week. Can the quarterback find in Josh McDaniels the coach who will be able to take him to another level? At just 30 years old, and pending a contract extension that could arrive soon, Carr still has a bright future ahead of him.
Maxx Crosby has established himself as the essential piece of the Raiders’ defensive line. Real poison for quarterbacks, he totals, in addition to his 8 sacks, no less than 100 pressures on opposing pitchers according to Pro Football Focus. Rewarded by a nomination in the second team All Pro of the season, Crosby who begins his last year of contract should be extended to register in the long term with the franchise.
With his physical kicker, who would have bet that Hunter Renfrow would impose himself as the number one receiver of an NFL franchise? Tough on pain and decisive in important moments, the former Clemson player has created a beneficial chemistry with his quarterback. Exceeding the 1,000-yard mark and scoring 9 touchdowns in the process, Renfrow was there when the team needed it most.
Undesirables
– Cory Littleton (LB)
– Nick Kwiatkowski (LB)
Arrived against a huge check in 2020 with the task of becoming the leader of the second defensive curtain, Cory Littleton has largely disappointed. Never at the level that was his at the Rams, he even demoted in the hierarchy of the position. His salary of 15 million in 2022 seems far too high for a luxury understudy. But a cut would only save the franchise $1.7 million, unless the franchise chooses the option of a post-June 1 cut. The economy would then be nearly 12 million. Far from negligible. But if the new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham believes in him, a restructuring including bonuses could be considered instead. Arriving at the same time, Kwiatkowski also struggled to convince. With just 20 appearances in two seasons, the team might prefer younger, cheaper options.
The summer man
Josh McDaniels (HC)
After ten years leading the New England attack, Josh McDaniels is ready for his second experience as head coach. No last minute false leap this time, he will be in control of the team when training resumes. After four eventful seasons under Jon Gruden, McDaniels must bring the culture of seriousness and rigor advocated to the Patriots. With a squad still incomplete, the coach will above all have to develop the young talents of the workforce and capitalize on the promises of 2021.
As an attacking coach who worked for an eternity with Tom Brady, his experience should help him exploit Derek Carr’s full potential. The relationship between the two men will be a central point of the future project of the Raiders. The ability to build an attack for and around his quarterback will be decisive for the team’s ambitions, starting this season.
The main free agents
1. Casey Hayward (BC)
2. Quinton Jefferson (DL)
3. Johnathan Hawkins (DL)
4. Solomon Thomas (DL)
5. Brandon Parker (OT)
The others: Darius Philon (DL), KJ Wright (LB), Nicholas Morrow (LB), Brandon Facyson (CB), Desmond Trufant (CB), Marcus Mariota (QB), Richie Incognito (G), Nick Martin (C) , Peyton Barber (RB), Jalen Richard (RB), DeSean Jackson (WR), Zay Jones (WR), Alec Ingold (FB)
With only 24 players at the end of the contract, including a large number of important contributors, the Raiders have a studious offseason to negotiate. If the franchise has a certain margin, choices will still have to be made, especially if the general manager wishes to aim for a few free agent arrivals. Arrived from the rival Chargers in the offseason, Casey Hayward immediately established himself as a centerpiece of the Las Vegas backfield, playing 94% of defensive snaps. But at almost 33 years old, the team could opt for a younger and less expensive option. Same observation for Facyson and Trufant. The Nate Hobbs outbreak could make that decision easier.
Good surprise of the season, Quinton Jefferson has revived well after a disappointing stint at the Bills. If he is not a rock against the run, the franchise could nevertheless see a good eye on his return if only for his rushing skills and his experience. Unless Gus Bradley wants to take him with him to Indianapolis. With him, the entire defensive line is likely to leave the Allegiant Stadium. Johnathan Hawkins and Darius Philon are also at the end of their lease. Not everyone can stay. In this game, it is perhaps the profile of Solomon Thomas who could most interest the new staff. Disappointing at the 49ers by whom he was drafted in 3rd position in 2017, the player has revived well in Vegas. Author of his best season in the NFL, he could be valuable in the new scheme that will be put in place by Patrick Graham.
Propelled holder on the right side of the line in the game of departures and injuries, Brandon Parker mainly helped out. With 8 conceded sacks and 9 fouls, he should not be retained for anything other than playing understudy.
Top 5 Needs
1. Receiver
2. Defensive tackle
3. Interior offensive line
4. Linebacker
5.Cornerback
If Hunter Renfrow has shown unsuspected qualities, Las Vegas needs to expand its corps of receivers to put Carr in the best possible position. Too limited in number and especially in talent, the group must find at least one player capable of blasting the opposing backfields.
The transition to 3-4 which should take place with the new defensive coordinator will certainly push the team to rethink its defensive front. Already sparsely endowed with a playmaker in the position, the Raiders have their four main players in the position at the end of the contract. Not all of them will return and reinforcements are more than expected to build the bases of the new defence. The second curtain should also be extensively reviewed. With the Littleton and Kwiatkowski cases, and the end of the contract, the franchise must look for a player capable of shining on the entire defense.
With Alex Leatherwood called to be repositioned right tackle in the more or less short term, the interior of the offensive line is in great need of reinforcement. The surprise departures of Gabe Jackson and Rodney Hudson last year have not been compensated. To better protect the quarterback and help a running game that McDaniels enjoys, position will need to be considered carefully.
Target
Davante Adams (WR)
A former teammate of Derek Carr at Fresno State in college, Davante Adams has kept close ties with his former quarterback. The league’s best receiver is a yard and touchdown machine. 8000 yards and 73 touchdowns in 8 seasons. Monumental. Endowed with an exceptional separation capacity, Adams is a threat at all points of the field and a security solution. Able to martyr any cornerback, his addition would be an incredible boost.
If there’s a chance he’ll be retained by Green Bay via a franchise tag, the Raiders may need to set up a trade to see Adams land in Nevada. But the arrival of such a high-profile receiver and his historic connection to Carr would immediately transform Vegas’ offense. A godsend for Josh McDaniels with a view to deploying his new diagrams.
The new blood
Nakobe Dean (LB)
Best linebacker in the country in 2021, Nakobe Dean is one of the great architects of Georgia’s national title. Talented and complete, he is able to shine on the entire second curtain. Both in the running game where he is an effective tackler, but also in coverage and in his ability to blitz to chase the quarterback. At just 21, he has the ability to contribute from the first week and finally bring volume and regularity to the Raiders on the job. Endowed with a very high football IQ, he is also a leader at heart capable of quickly becoming the general of the defense.
Other possible choices: Treylon Burks, Andrew Booth Jr, DeMarvin Leal
