Definitely the Raiders of 2021 are in some mode of reconstruction although one immediately connects this word with the arrival of a new General Manager, Head Coach or even a Quarterback. However, in 2021 these three elements of the team have been in the team for some years now. Mike Mayock the one who has been in the organization the least time.
And this may be the reason that makes us think that Las Vegas is in a kind of silent reconstruction, because they keep the duo Jon Gruden–Derek Carr as a base and the rest of the units have undergone changes year after year since 2019 when their new GM arrived.
What have the Raiders been up to since Mayock’s arrival?
It is clear that what Mike Mayock is looking for is to give Gruden a talented team combining youth with experience. The offensive line improved with the arrival of Trent Brown and Richie Incognito in 2019 and gave one of the best talents of the Draft in the running back position, such as Josh Jacobs, who finished with more than 1,000 rushing yards and unfairly did not win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
That year they suffered with their corps of receivers, led by Tyrell Williams and Zay Jones, however Mayock in 2020 took Henry Ruggs III of Alabama as a threat on deep routes thanks to his speed. In addition, he added Lynn Bowden Jr. and Bryan Edwards in that same Draft seeking to nurture young talent to a group in need who already had Hunter Renfrow, who arrived in 2019 and little by little has become that security man since the slot.
Speaking of defense, it’s the most talented young unit this team has added and we can name many starting with Clelin Ferrell, a controversial pick, Johnathan Abram, Trayvon Mullen, Maxx Crosby, all of them in 2019; and last year he added Damon Arnette, Tanner Muse, Amik Robertson and Trevon Moehrig, Malcolm Koonce, Divine Deablo, Tyree Gillespie and Nate Hobbs this past Draft.
If we give Mayock a vote of confidence from experience in the search for collegiate talent, there is little to argue against him, despite the fact that some teams seem far-fetched, as these Raiders have added players in positions of great need.
Speaking of veterans, not all have been of immediate impact and few end up being relevant in the short term. These players arrived in 2019: Antonio Brown did not play with them, Tyrell Williams and Trent Brown will be no more, linebackers Brandon Marshall and Vontaze Burfict less and Lamarcus Joyner will play for the Jets in 2021. A year ago Nelson Agholor arrived and already left. , who had important moments, also ended his career in oblivion Jason Witten, Maliek Collins was fleeting as well as Prince Amukamara and well, Damarious Randall as well.
Anyone can be depressed by veteran talent who came to Las Vegas with high expectations and ended up disappointing.
The rebuilding is obvious, but are they on the right track?
This year’s rookie players aside, the result has been far from encouraging and not everything falls on the players who have led the franchise, but the way they are used. Gruden is part of this situation in which the team after “walking” towards the playoffs finds a way to fall in recent weeks to be on the shore.
Mayock cannot bear all the blame, because he inherited a coach who has not been able to take advantage of the talent and ends up losing control of the team. You can’t blame the offense that boasts a 4,000-yard pass QB, a 1,000-yard rushing back, and a dominant passing player who generates over 1,000 yards per reception. Many teams would like this combination.
The defense has gone through problems, but it has also been the unit that has received the most talent in recent years, but it is still the one that improves the least delivery. Paul Guenther will no longer be coordinator, and now a ray of hope shines because Gus Bradley he will be in charge of shaping this group into a good defense. At least there is hope heading into 2021.
Is there hope in 2021 for the Raiders?
Heading into his fourth season at the helm of the team – of the 10 years he signed – Gruden aims to be that coach under pressure of not getting the Raiders to have a playoff season and this season will represent a season with greater challenges, because the Chargers They could be a higher level rival and the Chiefs will continue to dominate the division. The rest of the AFC does not look easy, so the places available as Wild Card will be fought, something not favorable for this Las Vegas team.
They are not a bad team to discard immediately, but you cannot guarantee that the same formula from other years can result in a different and positive season. We will have to wait and see if the change in defense is radical to think of them as a playoff contender, but that would be a bit of a surprise. As long as Gruden is there, I can’t assure you that they will be a great team.
So the reconstruction exists, although the results and the way of carrying it out might give us the impression of being silent. For me, it is evident that it exists, but without the success or impact that they would like. What do you think about these Raiders and their goals for 2021? We read you in the comments under this article and on our social networks.
