15 Bold Predictions: No. 12: Oakland Raiders drastically improve

The Oakland Raiders are going to look like a legitimate NFL team by year’s end.

Seriously. Stop smirking.

If you’ve been a fan of the NFL for the past 10 years, you would have a right to laugh at any prediction involving the Raiders and a drastic improvement.

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A team in constant turnover, the Raiders have been rebuilding for quite some time. They’ve seen their fair share of busts. Between the span of 2005 and 2014, the Raiders have seen a myriad of first-round players, ranging from halfway-decent to bust.

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Fabian Washington, Michael Huff, JaMarcus Russell, Darren McFadden, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Rolando McClain and D.J. Hayden are the first-round picks during that span, and they set the franchise back.

Luckily for Oakland, the Raiders’ fortunes started to turn last year, when the team selected Khalil Mack in the first round and Derek Carr in the second.

The Raiders continued their hot streak, selecting wide receiver Amari Cooper in May’s draft.

Suddenly, the Raiders have a very impressive young core, including the quarterback — FINALLY — they need to make some noise in the AFC West.

I’m not ready to crown them kings of the AFC West quite yet, but things are changing. Perhaps it’s the recent success of the Golden State Warriors, but the Raiders are moving in the right direction fast.

Derek Carr, although not considered a top-tier quarterback entering the ’14 Draft, had a good rookie year, especially considering he was throwing to nobody in particular.

While some have given Carr props for simply ‘not being David,’ I think he’s a real answer at quarterback for the Silver and Black. At the very least, he’s not the typical rhetorical question the Raiders seem to have under center.

Carr is a leader, and he’s ready to become a better player in year 2. However, this article was written before Carr got hurt. So there’s that.

He’ll be handing the ball off to Latavius Murray, the big-bodied back with breakaway speed. The dude is seriously big at 6-3, 230 pounds, and he kind of just glides when he has the ball in his hands. With that being said, Murray seems to cover about three yards per stride, just because of how tall he is.

“These aren’t your older brother’s Raiders anymore.”

Murray’s health is paramount to the Raiders’ success in 2015.

The Raiders snatched veteran receiver Michael Crabtree away from Bay-Area rival San Francisco, and he’s not an elite receiver, but he still has some tread left on his tires. He’s only had one 1,000 yard season, but he’s not really the lead guy in Oakland.

The 6-4 Andre Holmes flashed potential last year, and he figures to be a big part of Oakland’s aerial attack.

However, the real story and the real superstar wide receiver is rookie Amari Cooper.

August 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) runs with the football against the St. Louis Rams during the first quarter in a preseason NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

This guy has “Stud” written all over him, and he wasn’t compared to legendary Marvin Harrison during the pre-draft process for no reason. If you want proof, go look at what he did to All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson in the preseason.

Smooth, professional and explosive, Cooper is the first real weapon the Raiders have had at receiver since Randy Moss was on the team, which seems like centuries ago.

Cooper is the frontrunner to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, and people have already gotten to see a glimpse of what’s been labeled as the “AC/DC” connection. It’s going to be a special, lethal group for years to come.

On defense, the Raiders may have whiffed on D.J. Hayden, but boy, did they ever hit a home run with Khalil Mack.

People usually This is one bad dude, and he’s a serious candidate to win Defensive Player of the Year.

The team also recently added troubled Aldon Smith, and while he can’t be relied upon, the Raiders now have the arguably the best pass-rushing duo in the entire league.

Seriously, that tandem is going to absolutely dominate the NFL. Even with a seemingly mediocre secondary, a strong pass rush is going to go a long way in making the secondary’s life easier.

Let’s also not forget the Raiders still have the ageless wonder Charles Woodson patrolling at the safety position. Although he’ll be 39 by midseason, he still gives 100 percent on every play, and he provides a veteran presence.

Now, how drastic will the improvement be this year?

7-9, maybe 8-8.

I don’t think we’re looking at a worst-to-first scenario, especially in a competitive AFC West. However, the Raiders finally have life. At the very least, the team will improve. I’m not saying this team will make the playoffs. But I am saying this team has stars for the first time since I can remember.

The offensive combination of Carr, Cooper and Murray will be fun to watch, and the defensive duo of Mack and Smith will be tough to deal with.

This team isn’t going to the playoffs this year, but by year’s end, we might very well be talking about how they have the foundation to make some noise next year. These aren’t your older brother’s Raiders anymore.

Next: 15 Bold Predictions: Philadelphia Eagles soar

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