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Oakland Raiders: Ranking the team’s top 2018 offseason additions

By Russell S. Baxter

ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden (L) and Raiders owner Mark Davis pose for a photograph during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden (L) and Raiders owner Mark Davis pose for a photograph during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

1. Jordy Nelson, WR (from Green Bay Packers)

It is safe to say that Jordy Nelson has been one of the most productive wide receivers in the league — when he is available. That hasn’t always been the case in recent years and perhaps that combined with his age and his salary is why the Green Bay Packers opted to part ways with the veteran pass-catcher earlier this year.

A second-round draft choice by the Pack in 2008, he would eventually develop quite the rapport with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. It was that season that the latter finally became the club’s starting signal-caller. Over a two-year span from 2012-14, Nelson was targeted a combined 278   times and hauled in 183 passes for 2,833 yards and 21 scores.

He would miss the 2015 season after injuring his knee in the preseason at Pittsburgh. But he would earn NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors one season later as he pulled down a career-best 97 passes, good for 1,257 yards and 14 touchdowns.

With the offseason release of Michael Crabtree and the inconsistency of talented Amari Cooper, the Raiders were in the market for a productive pair of hands. Nelson could indeed help Oakland quarterback

Derek Carr rebound from an unsettling 2017 season.

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For any number of reasons, this team’s attack lacked the firepower of the previous season. The Oakland Raiders totaled only 301 points and 36 offensive touchdowns. Those numbers were dramatically different from 2016 when the playoff-bound club racked up 416 points and 46 offensive touchdowns. The addition of Nelson was a smart move that figures to make Carr a happy quarterback.

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