Oakland Raiders: 5 Major storylines following mandatory minicamp

Tom Cable Must Protect and Provide for the Offensive Nucleus

Carr and Brown would click on another level if the offensive line keeps their quarterback out of harm’s way.

In 2018, the Raiders offensive line ranked 13th in adjusted line yards and 25th in pass protection, per Football Outsiders. Dating back to his time as a head coach for the Silver and Black, Tom Cable has a good track record for opening wide running lanes.

Oakland’s ground attack ranked second in rushing under Cable during the 2010 term. Marshawn Lynch became Beast Mode behind his offensive lines between the 2011-14 seasons in Seattle. The position coach doesn’t have an issue creating advantageous situations for the running backs, but he struggles to build a strong fort around the most important offensive player on the field. Warren Sharp of Sharp Football provided the metrics:

The Raiders stockpiled elite and high-level talent, but Gruden’s schemes won’t bring out the best in those players unless the offensive line shows significant improvement.

Oakland’s defense doesn’t feature a group of All-Pros and Pro Bowlers on all three levels, so the offense will need to score points and rack up yards in bunches to keep pace with high-scoring opponents.

Because of Cable’s track record and the addition of offensive guard Richie Incognito, we can expect rookie first-rounder Josh Jacobs to have a solid year. Assuming he takes on a bulk of the carries, the Alabama product should average more than four yards per carry and move the chains frequently.

Last year, Carr took 51 sacks. If he’s close to that number in the upcoming season, Gruden must cut the cord on Cable.

Cable will have Incognito, a four-time Pro Bowler, right tackle Trent Brown, the highest-paid offensive lineman leaguewide, an underrated center Rodney Hudson, who’s about to receive an extension and a steady five-year starter in guard Gabe Jackson.

More importantly, Kolton Miller, who bulked up to 330 pounds, must live up to his first-round billing. He’s healthy, bigger and ready to rumble with edge-rushers, per Vic Tafur of The Athletic.

“I have been training with Dan Jameson at Boss MMA in Roseville,” Miller said. “I am close to 330 pounds right now and bench and my squat have gone up. I was throwing around 505 pounds in the back squat and benching 320 like it was nothing. I got a lot stronger.”

On paper, the Raiders have a talented, established offensive line; Cable has to optimize that group in order for the offense to take a giant leap in 2019. No one’s seat should be warmer than his in Oakland.