Ranking every NFL team’s offensive supporting cast post-draft
8. Las Vegas Raiders
RB: Josh Jacobs, Jalen Richard, Lynn Bowden (20/25)
After selecting Josh Jacobs in the first round last year, the Raiders brought back Jalen Richard as a pass-catching specialist and added Lynn Bowden to be a gadget player in the backfield. Jacobs is one of the best young runners in the game; in his first season, he rushed for 1,150 yards and seven touchdowns despite missing several games. This backfield has a lot of versatility and should be the driving force of the offense next season.
WR: Henry Ruggs, Bryan Edwards, Hunter Renfrow, Tyrell Williams (21/25)
The Raiders spent a lot of capital to improve their weapons at wide receiver. I’ve raved this offseason about Hunter Renfrow becoming a great slot receiver and seeing an expanded role next season, and with Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards stretching the field, I think we will see him get open more.
Ruggs was renowned for his deep ball prowess pre-draft, but he’ll be a boom-or-bust candidate heading into his first year. Edwards will battle Williams for the “X” receiver role, but both are capable third-string wide receivers. This unit is young, but could surprise a lot of people.
TE: Darren Waller, Jason Witten, Foster Moreau (23/25)
After Darren Waller’s breakout 2019 performance, could this be the deepest tight end group in football? Waller is already a star tight end, having caught 90 balls for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns last season; he was a focal point on the offense and a mismatch down the seam.
Witten, although on the decline, still caught the eighth-most passes at the position in 2019. Even Foster Moreau, the Raiders’ fourth-round pick last year, caught five touchdowns on only 21 receptions. Las Vegas boasts a top-five tight end group and will employ a lot of 12 personnel next season.
Offensive Line: Kolton Miller, Richie Incognito, Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson, Trent Brown (24/25)
The Raiders have done a tremendous job of building the offensive line. They allowed fewest QB hits in the league last year and the seventh-fewest sacks. Derek Carr had the best protection rate in the league last season and will have all his starters returning for the 2020 season. This offensive line is rock solid and will protect whoever lines up behind center.
Total Score: 88/100
Summary: Derek Carr has come under a lot of fire recently following a mediocre 2019 performance, but he will have his best supporting cast since Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree helped him have a historic season in 2016.
The Raiders have extremely talented weapons at nearly every position on offense and should see improvement from their 19.6 PPG average last season. Carr has all the tools he needs to succeed, so there is no excuse for him not to have a historic season.