Oakland Raiders: Examining strengths, concerns going into 2018 season
With the offseason in the rear-view mirror, what are the Oakland Raiders’ strengths and areas of concern going into the 2018 season?
Once Jon Gruden decided to return to the coaching ranks, the Oakland Raiders 2018 season outlook became one big question mark. Still, there’s a wide range of opinions on how good or bad this team will be this year.
How would Gruden’s vision influence the roster? What’s his coaching philosophy? Is it the same guy who didn’t have a losing campaign in four years with the Raiders? Will his tenure start where it left off as a coach winning 51 percent of his games in Tampa Bay?
Gruden’s entrance didn’t disappoint in terms of proactivity. By September 3, he flipped nearly 55 percent of the roster since taking over for Jack Del Rio, per Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Michael Gehlken.
Following the Khalil Mack trade, Gruden blasted the Raiders’ recent draft classes, outside the 2014 group (via Raiders.com):
"“Obviously the last three draft classes, we haven’t gotten a lot of production out of yet. I don’t think there’s anybody left from the ’13 Draft. But ’15, ’16, ’17, not much production at all. With that being said, you have to fill holes. Sometimes you have to fill those holes in free agency.”"
Gruden’s comments were taken as a direct shot at general manager Reggie McKenzie who took over his executive position in 2012. The Raiders cut or traded several recent draft picks, a few as recent as 2017.
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As many Raiders fans know, McKenzie hoards draft picks and shows prolonged patience with underperforming homegrown players. So, it’s clear who has the final say on roster decisions at the headquarters.
Nonetheless, it’ll take some time to know if the new way of handling the roster helps or hurts the Raiders short- and long-term future. Right now, let’s take a look at the team’s prospective strengths and some concerns heading into the 2018 campaign.