2020 NFL season: Which AFC West team is most improved?
2019: 3rd place. Record: 7-9. Las Vegas Raiders. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. . player. 28
Key Additions
- Henry Ruggs III, WR (NFL Draft)
- Damon Arnette, CB (NFL Draft)
- Cory Littleton, LB (Free Agent, Rams)
- Maliek Collins, DL (Free Agent, Cowboys)
- Nick Kwiatkoski, LB (Free Agent, Bears)
- Tanner Muse, LB (NFL Draft)
- Damarious Randall, S (Free Agent, Browns)
- Marcus Mariota, QB (Free Agent, Titans)
- Jason Witten, TE (Free Agent, Cowboys)
- Nelson Agholor, WR (Free Agent, Eagles)
- Lynn Bowden Jr., RB (NFL Draft)
- Bryan Edwards, WR (NFL Draft)
- Amik Robertson, CB (NFL Draft)
Key Losses
- Tahir Whitehead, LB (Free Agent, Panthers)
- DeAndre Washington, RB (Free Agent, Chiefs)
- Daryl Worley, CB (Free Agent, Cowboys)
- Karl Joseph, S (Free Agent, Browns)
- Benson Mayowa, DL (Free Agent, Seahawks)
Although the focus is certainly on the quarterback position and Derek Carr with the Las Vegas Raiders, this is unquestionably one of the more improved rosters overall in the NFL.
The Raiders went out in free agency and took Cory Littleton away from the Los Angeles Rams, one of the best three-down linebackers in the league especially in terms of his coverage skills.
They also got a rising Nick Kwiatkoski from the Chicago Bears, a player who could wind up being a big-time addition for them in solidifying the middle of their defense.
The Raiders also had two first-round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft. They managed to get the fastest player in the draft with their top pick, selecting Henry Ruggs III in hopes of giving the Kansas City Chiefs a taste of their own medicine.
Although they didn’t have a second-round pick, the Raiders complemented the selection of Ruggs by taking Damon Arnette, Lynn Bowden Jr., Tanner Muse, and Bryan Edwards with their remaining selections before day three of the draft.
The additions of Ruggs, Bowden, and Edwards to the Raiders’ offensive weaponry certainly gives them a tremendous cast of characters to get the ball to, adding to a group that already includes Tyrell Williams, Josh Jacobs, Darren Waller, and Hunter Renfrow.
Defensively, the Raiders picking up Maliek Collins as an interior rusher is a very underrated move. They completely revamped their linebacker core and if their secondary can stay healthy, the young quartet of Johnathan Abram, Damon Arnette, Trayvon Mullen, and Amik Robertson could be one of the best in the league.
Could this year’s rebuild have included a new quarterback in Vegas? Certainly. But for the time being, this was another strong offseason of team-building for Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock.