Las Vegas Raiders Offseason Progress Report

Are the new look Raiders just this year's League Pass team, or can they be something more?

All-Pro, All-Rookie Tight End Brock Bowers

Overview

2024 Record: 4-13

General Manager: John Spytek

Head Coach: Pete Carroll

Starting Quarterback: Geno Smith

Key Extensions:

EDGE Maxx Crosby (3 years, $106.5 million, $62.5 million guaranteed), EDGE Malcolm Koonce (1 year, $11.04 million, $10.02 million guaranteed), OT Kolton Miller (3 years, $66 million, $42.5 million guaranteed)

Key Additions:

QB Geno Smith, iOL Alex Cappa, LB Devin White, LB Elandon Roberts, CB Eric Stokes, S Jeremy Chinn, RB Ashton Jeanty, WR Jack Bech, DB Darien Porter, OT Charles Grant, iOL Caleb Rogers

Key Departures:

iOL Andre James, LB Robert Spillane, CB Nate Hobbs, DL Christian Wilkins

Offense

Offensive Coordinator: Chip Kelly

2024 Ranks:

EPA/play: 31st Success Rate: 27th PPG: 29th (18.2ppg)

Projected Starting Offense (11 personnel):

QB Geno Smith

RB Ashton Jeanty

WR Jakobi Meyers

WR Tre Tucker

WR Jack Bech

TE Brock Bowers

LT Kolton Miller

LG Dylan Parham

C Jackson Powers-Johnson

RG Alex Cappa

RT DJ Glaze

Offense Notes:

Las Vegas’ offense was a tough watch last season, plain and simple. There’s a reason that the entire unit had a pretty big makeover - the Raiders couldn’t move the ball or score points. In fact, this team only scored more than 20 points in four contests. The key culprit of this lackluster group was the run game; the Raiders ranked 32nd in yards per carry.

If you pay attention to the NFL Draft at all, you’ll know that the Raiders addressed this issue early. Ashton Jeanty should be able to provide a spark in the run game that can complement the rest of the offensive overhauls. The biggest addition, however, was the team adding quarterback Geno Smith in a pre-draft trade. Smith, Jeanty, new play-caller Chip Kelly, and the rest of the offensive changes should give this team a chance to be at least a fun watch this season.

Defense

Defensive Coordinator: Patrick Graham

2024 Ranks:

EPA/play: 16th Success Rate: 14th PPG: 25th (25.5ppg allowed)

Projected Starting Defense (Base 4-2):

DE Maxx Crosby

DT Leki Fotu

DT Adam Butler

DE Malcolm Koonce

LB Devin White

LB Elandon Roberts

CB Eric Stokes

CB Darien Porter

NB Darnay Holmes

S Jeremy Chinn

S Isaiah Pola-Mao

Defense Notes:

While the offense continually bogged down this team’s chances of winning, the defense was surprisingly competent. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham had his group firing on all cylinders, attaining league-average efficiency marks despite only having one real star. Advantageous starting field position and giving up explosives ultimately allowed teams to score on them, but from a down-to-down basis, this group performed admirably.

Unfortunately, this group may be regressing in 2025. While there are some reinforcements, like Malcolm Koonce, returning to the fray, key contributors along the back seven have left, and their replacements don’t necessarily inspire hope. Ideally, Graham can get the most out of new additions like Jeremy Chinn and Devin White, but there’s a reason these players have bounced around following their rookie contracts.

Outlook

Overall, the bottom line is that the Raiders will improve. This is one of the few NFL teams that underwent a full regime change. A new General Manager, Super Bowl winning Head Coach, new and competent starting quarterback, and infusion of talent on the offensive side of the ball will have the Raiders competing in more games than in 2024.

While I’m quite optimistic and excited for the offense, I have my questions about the defense. The matter of the Raiders being in the AFC West is also an issue - they have to deal with Kansas City (Super Bowl runners-up), Denver (one of the best rosters in the league), and LA (went 11-6 in Harbaugh’s first season). Their path to a postseason berth might be tougher than any team’s in the league.

Yet, the expectations should reflect being competitive down the stretch this season. Even if this group doesn’t make it into the playoffs, I think the talent upgrades and culture change should turn things around for this group. We might get back to the vintage, bite your kneecaps, Raiders of the Oakland days with this team. If nothing else, they will be an enjoyable watch - something you couldn’t say about this team for almost a decade.

Expectation/Goal for 2025: Competitive on offense, Wild Card hunt

2025 Schedule

\(\begin{array}{c c} \textbf{GameWeek} & \textbf{Opponent} \\ \hline \text{Week 1} & \text{@ New England Patriots, 1pm} \\ \textbf{Week 2} & \textbf{vs. Los Angeles Chargers, MNF, 10pm} \\ \text{Week 3} & \text{@ Washington, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 4} & \text{vs. Chicago, 4:25pm} \\ \text{Week 5} & \text{@ Indianapolis, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 6} & \text{vs. Tennessee, 4:05pm} \\ \text{Week 7} & \text{@ Kansas City, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 8} & \text{--BYE WEEK --} \\ \text{Week 9} & \text{vs. Jacksonville, 4:05pm} \\ \textbf{Week 10} & \textbf{@ Denver, TNF, 8:15pm} \\ \textbf{Week 11} & \textbf{vs. Dallas, MNF, 8:15pm} \\ \text{Week 12} & \text{vs. Cleveland, 4:05pm} \\ \text{Week 13} & \text{@ Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25pm} \\ \text{Week 14} & \text{vs. Denver, 4:05pm} \\ \text{Week 15} & \text{@ Philadelphia, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 16} & \text{@ Houston, 4:25pm} \\ \text{Week 17} & \text{vs. New York Giants, TBD} \\ \text{Week 18} & \text{vs. Kansas City, TBD} \\ \end{array} \)

Primetime games are BOLDED, all times EDT/EST