2015 Season Prediction- AFC West

Jun 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders helmet of defensive end Justin Tuck (not pictured) at minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

THE BASEMENT- OAKLAND RAIDERS

Oh, the Raiders. Will they ever get it right?  Are they trying to improve? Do they even want to play football?  These questions have been thrown around by fans of other AFC West teams in recent years due to the Raiders incompetence when it comes to building a competitive roster.  As much as I’d like to see the Raiders stay in the basement forever, I’ll admit that they have made some savvy moves this off-season.

The Raiders quest for mediocrity began with the hiring of former Broncos DC Jack Del Rio to be their new Head Coach.  Although Del Rio’s hire is one that wouldn’t excite most fan bases, it was a very logical move for Oakland to make.  In Del Rio, they have a long time player and coach with nine years of head coaching experience with the Jaguars and the Broncos(on an interim basis in 2013).  A life long Raiders fan, Del Rio willingly accepted the job with the hopes of bringing the Raiders back to prominence. Del Rio will provide a stable coaching presence to a team desperately searching for continuity.

To aid in the Oakland resurrection, Derek Carr returns under center to provide Raider Nation a glimpse of what a franchise quarterback could look like.   Despite a shaky offensive line and little talent at the skill positions, Carr managed to pass for nearly 3,300 yards and have a 21/12 TD:INT ratio as a rookie last year.  Not too shabby, for a rookie.  To protect Carr, they found a promising young anchor to their offensive line in signing former Chief, Rodney Hudson.  Hudson will join other  talented young prospects in Gabe Jackson  and Menelik Watson on a Raiders line that seems to be heading in the right direction.

At the skill positions, rookie Amari Cooper joins a receiving core that desperately needed a playmaker. Andre Holmes and Rod Steater are solid complimentary pieces, but neither are guys that should be #1 receivers. Cooper gives that receiving core an instant deep threat and a big time play maker.  As for the Tight End position, incumbent Mychal Rivera will be joined by rookie Clive Walford to provide the Raiders with a competent TE combination.

Latavius Murray headlines a group of running backs that have plenty of talent, but none that are convincing bell cow backs.  This group really can be described as a “jack of all trades, but master of none”.  All of them have their special traits, but none stand out as well rounded backs.  Marcel Reese is still a go to player for the Raiders to move the chains and be the swiss army knife player that they need him to be.

As for the defense, the Raiders boast a talented young pass rusher (Khalil Mack) and a salty old veteran in the secondary(Charles Woodson). Aside from those two, guys like Sio Moore, Curtis Lofton and DJ Hayden provide potential playmaking ability to a defense sorely lacking explosive talent.

Finally, their special teams. One underrated transaction the Raiders made this off-season was to bring in former Bronco Trindon Holliday to handle their return duties.  A true “boom or bust” player, Holliday gives the Raiders an instant threat in the return game.  Last, but certainly not least, we have Sea Bass handling kicking duties. Still one of the elite kickers in the game, Sebastian Janikowski gives the Raiders a sure bet to score when they need extra points and field goals.

Season Prediction: 6-10

Bottom Line- The Raiders will make a steady improvement as they try to regain relevance in the AFC West, but they’re still a year or two away from making a playoff push (and that’s if things go well this year).

Next: On The Way Up- Kansas City Chiefs