AFC West Offseason Grades: Broncos make top upgrades
Oakland Raiders
Significant additions: OL Kelechi Osemele, LB Bruce Irvin
Significant loss(es): Memory of the last 15 years
The Oakland Raiders have got to have the most confident group of fans in all of pro sports. I mean, it’s amazing how quickly they forget recent history. There is no fan base that is more optimistic on an annual basis than Raider Nation.
That’s my compliment.
However, this is a team that has not earned the right to talk smack. The Raiders won a regular season matchup against the Broncos last year in which both teams struggled mightily to find the end zone offensively. Oakland’s victory was the equivalent of a solar eclipse, not having beaten the Broncos in the previous eight meetings.
The best addition the Raiders made this offseason was to get Kelechi Osemele from the Baltimore Ravens. Along with Rodney Hudson and the other players they have on the offensive line, that could be a significant move for them. The Raiders have an up-and-coming young roster but for some reason they think they are able to talk smack to the Champs.
Rising Raiders poised to knock Broncos off AFC West throne, @AdamSchein writes https://t.co/7EML1xJ29V pic.twitter.com/2xsbjeVPTE
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) May 19, 2016
Who do you think has the best chance to dethrone J.J. Watt as @nfl Defensive Player of the Year?
— NFL Total Access (@NFLTotalAccess) May 18, 2016
You said: @52Mack_ pic.twitter.com/H5ZyMhsDKd
.@Broncos don't say we didn't warn you: https://t.co/O0Lll7LhTc
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) May 18, 2016
We’re not going to give the Raiders an official grade this offseason. They made sure they didn’t look incompetent as a franchise in terms of roster moves, and the coaching staff isn’t in a state of disarray. Therefore, the Raiders get the first ever Certificate of Competence Achievement Award.
Congratulations…
…and learn to show some respect to your AFC West daddy.
FINAL GRADE: Certificate of Competence Achievement Award
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