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5 Things the Oakland Raiders Must Do Well in 2016

By John Sarianides

May 13, 2016; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio (left) and general manager Reggie McKenzie during rookie minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2016; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio (left) and general manager Reggie McKenzie during rookie minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oakland Raiders are the sexy pick in the NFL this season, thanks in large part to general manager Reggie McKenzie building a roster that centers around quarterback Derek Carr and outside linebacker Khalil Mack.

The Raiders are back! At least, we think they are. For the first time since 2002, there are actually playoff expectations for the Raiders. Can they meet those expectations? We’ll find out soon enough.

Related Story: Oakland Raiders: Winners and Losers of Training Camp

General manager Reggie McKenzie has built a terrific roster that has a good blend of experience and youth. Quarterback Derek Carr and outside linebacker Khalil Mack are the centerpieces of the Raiders improved roster.

Both Carr and Mack must lead the way on their respective sides of the ball if the Raiders are going to truly realize their potential. Carr needs to become an elite franchise quarterback, and Mack needs to make his teammates better.

Here are five things the Raiders must do well schematically in 2016.

1. Carr Must Complete His Development: Derek Carr is on the brink of being a franchise quarterback. He’s physically talented, tough, smart and a good leader. Carr is still prone to making mistakes, but if the Raiders are going to contend for a playoff spot, he needs to complete his development and play at an elite level consistently.

2. Spread the Ball Around Offensively: Raiders offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave is one of the best play-callers in the NFL. He is schooled in the West Coast offense, having played for Bill Walsh. Musgrave understands the importance of spreading the ball around and getting all of your skill players involved. If the Raiders are going to score points on a consistent basis, Musgrave must get the ball to all of his talented skill players, especially tight end Clive Warford, who has the talent to develop into a top-ten tight end in the league.

3. Front Multiplicity: Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. now has the pieces in place along the front seven to do more in terms of fronts and pressures. The Raiders can’t just sit in a 40 front (four-man line). Norton needs to use Mack and Bruce Irvin off the edge, and he needs to consistently bring interior pressure with the defensive tackles and inside linebackers.

4. Play More Man-to-Man: Norton likes big, long corners that can jam receivers at the line of scrimmage and re-route them in a Cover 2 zone scheme. David Amerson and Sean Smith can do that, but they are also athletic enough and quick enough to play man-to-man. If the Raiders are going to bring more pressure, then Norton needs to be willing to play some man-to-man behind it, especially with the two corners he has and ball-hawking safety Reggie Nelson.

5. Use a Committee Approach at Running Back: The Raiders have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL after signing guard Kelechi Osemele this off-season. Oakland has the offensive line necessary to run the ball successfully, but they don’t have “that back”, if you will, that they can lean on. Latavius Murray will continue to be the starter, but 2015 main reserve Roy Helu was recently released. Enter rookie DeAndre Washington who at 5’8″ and 204 pounds, is a smaller scat back type who can play third down.

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