Oakland Raiders: 2018 Season preview, prediction and more
By Joel W. Cade
The Defense
The Raiders defense took a big blow with the trade of Khalil Mack. The defense had holes that needed to be filled before the Mack trade. But trading Mack made those holes look a little bit bigger. The Mack trade may not have made sense to some. But thinking long term, it may have opened the cap space necessary to fill the holes and create a top notch defense to go along with the offense.
The defensive line looked tough in preseason. Defensive end and Bruce Irvin benefited from having Mack on the other side of the line. But now Irvin will be facing the best the offense has to offer. This should open opportunities for the likes of Tank Carradine, Arden Key and Fadol Brown. The interior lineman are solid but not spectacular. Keep an eye on Maurice Hurst Jr. this year as he could be a major steal from the draft.
The linebacker room was much improved. But they will also feel the loss of Mack. The loss of the versatility Mack brought to the table may make the defense more predictable. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther’s defenses in Cincinnati were predicated on excellent linebacker play. In particular, the inside linebacker carried a heavy load. Look for Derrick Johnson to have an outstanding year in 2018.
The secondary has been a source of consternation. Gareon Conley is looking to be healthy this year. If so, he may be able to contribute to the mystique of Ohio State cornerbacks coming into the league. The addition of Dominique Rogers-Cromartie is a sign the Raiders are serious about upgrading the back end. It is a passing league. The Raiders will need to get Rogers-Cromartie ready in a hurry.