What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

== OFFICIAL OAKLAND RAIDERS 2018 thread == (1 Viewer)

Stompin' Tom Connors said:
So...who is Griff Whalen again? Guess they want returner depth behind Patterson and are not trusting Richard given some fumbling issues?

Frugal but decidedly un-splashy.
Click to expand...
Did they sign Whalen? I haven't seen this reported anywhere yet.

 
Stompin' Tom Connors said:
So...who is Griff Whalen again? Guess they want returner depth behind Patterson and are not trusting Richard given some fumbling issues?

Frugal but decidedly un-splashy.
Click to expand...
Remember that poor soul taking a snap without the protection of an offensive line while Patriots defenders looked on in bewilderment unsure of what they were witnessing?

That snapper was loyal soldier Griff Whalen, just following orders.

You can't pay enough for loyalty like that.  Great signing.

 
Arodin said:
Remember that poor soul taking a snap without the protection of an offensive line while Patriots defenders looked on in bewilderment unsure of what they were witnessing?

That snapper was loyal soldier Griff Whalen, just following orders.

You can't pay enough for loyalty like that.  Great signing.
Click to expand...
signing top free agents like a Boss  :D

 
Gunther is switching to a a 8-2-1 front, so they will only need one CB next year.

Maybe Reggie is thinking his teack record with CBs isn’t so good, so why bother. 

 
32 Counter Pass said:
Gunther is switching to a a 8-2-1 front, so they will only need one CB next year.

Maybe Reggie is thinking his teack record with CBs isn’t so good, so why bother. 
Click to expand...
Johnson got way overpaid.  Raiders were smart to stay away from that. 

Almost like people overrated him because he was franchised tagged the last two years.  Solid player, but not elite and sure not worth the 15 million average pay.

 
Given the current status of the Raiders defensive backfield anyone that can back pedal would be considered an upgrade. Update on available FA CBs:

32 Counter Pass said:
Top Scheduled Free Agent CBs:

Trumaine Johnson (Jets)
Kyle Fuller (Trans Tag)
Aaron Colvin
Malcolm Butler (Titans)
E.J. Gaines
Prince Amukamara
Bashaud Breeland (Panthers)
Mo Claiborne
Rashaan Melvin
Patrick Robinson
Click to expand...

 
Interesting.

Jordy Nelson - WR - Free Agent

Free agent Jordy Nelson will visit the Raiders on Wednesday.

Nelson was cut by the Packers on Tuesday and will immediately start making the rounds. GM Reggie McKenzie has a history with Nelson from their time together in Green Bay, and new Raiders WRs coach Edgar Bennett was Nelson's position coach in Green Bay from 2011-2017. If Nelson signs with the Raiders, it would likely mean the end for Michael Crabtree in Oakland.

 
Thanks for the info. Updated:

Top Scheduled Free Agent CBs:

Trumaine Johnson (Jets)
Kyle Fuller (Trans Tag)
Aaron Colvin Texans
Malcolm Butler (Titans)
E.J. Gaines
Prince Amukamara (Bears)
Bashaud Breeland (Panthers)
Mo Claiborne
Rashaan Melvin
Patrick Robinson

Looks like the overs are gonna be a solid play in all Raider games next year. Brutal.

 
32 Counter Pass said:
Thanks for the info. Updated:

Top Scheduled Free Agent CBs:

Trumaine Johnson (Jets)
Kyle Fuller (Trans Tag)
Aaron Colvin Texans
Malcolm Butler (Titans)
E.J. Gaines
Prince Amukamara (Bears)
Bashaud Breeland (Panthers)
Mo Claiborne
Rashaan Melvin
Patrick Robinson

Looks like the overs are gonna be a solid play in all Raider games next year. Brutal.
Click to expand...
Conley being healthy and playing to his pre draft expectations would be helpful.  If not, yeah, they will need to score a lot of points for sure. 

 
Hell, you can say that about every damn defensive player they have drafted the past couple of seasons.

At this point the Raiders have 1 known commodity in the defensive backfield (Joseph). As I understand Gunther's defensive strategy, he has traditionally played a lot of 4-2-5 alignments. If he is planning to stick use that approach next year it appears the Raider's draft will go heavy towards DBs considering they have no depth there. 

 
32 Counter Pass said:
Hell, you can say that about every damn defensive player they have drafted the past couple of seasons.
Click to expand...
Not really.  Conley had moved up into the 10ish overall range before the incident with the young lady at the hotel caused him to drop into the later 1st.  A lot was expected from him and if he can play to that potential, it would go a long way toward fixing the secondary issues.  Plus, my guess is a CB in the first or second round is a virtual certainty. 

Is Melifonwu viewed as a potential starter at safety this year or still a little raw?

 
32 Counter Pass said:
Hell, you can say that about every damn defensive player they have drafted the past couple of seasons.

At this point the Raiders have 1 known commodity in the defensive backfield (Joseph). As I understand Gunther's defensive strategy, he has traditionally played a lot of 4-2-5 alignments. If he is planning to stick use that approach next year it appears the Raider's draft will go heavy towards DBs considering they have no depth there. 
Click to expand...
Pretty much. We know how much Reggie likes drafting DBs in the 1st round as well. Time to start familiarizing ourselves with the likes of Denzel Ward, Jaire Alexander, Josh Jackson, Hughes and Oliver. Because Roquan and Edmunds aren't going to be the targets in the 1st round.

 
efactor said:
Not really.  Conley had moved up into the 10ish overall range before the incident with the young lady at the hotel caused him to drop into the later 1st.  A lot was expected from him and if he can play to that potential, it would go a long way toward fixing the secondary issues.  Plus, my guess is a CB in the first or second round is a virtual certainty. 

Is Melifonwu viewed as a potential starter at safety this year or still a little raw?
Click to expand...
My understanding is they will try and fit Melifo at the "5" spot when they go to a 4-2-5. He would play the role of a hybrid FS / WLB. Whether or not he can play at a high level is unknown. Twitter buzz is Carrie will be resigned as the slot CB. 

 
Amukamara’s contract is worth $27 million overthree years. That seems pretty reasonable. For the Raider’s desperate need at the positiin it seems like a bargin.

I am beginning to suspect the Raiders are paper rich and cash poor. Same issue last year. 

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I am not worried the Raiders have yet to land a CB.  This first wave of players always leads to over paid players who rarely last long term.  More options are available in the draft, still via trade (a bit unlikely all things considered), and post June 1 cuts.

 
Raiders interested in Colts Rashaan Melvin -

 CB Rashaan Melvin: He went from looking like he would be the odd one out in the three-man cornerback rotation to being the Colts' top cornerback the entire season in 2017. His best performance of the season came against Pittsburgh in Week 10. Melvin shadowed Steelers All-Pro receiverAntonio Brown and held him to two catches on six targets for 15 yards until late in the game when Brown had a 32-yard reception on a broken play.

 
Joe Arrigo
‏@joearrigo
The #Raiders and Bengals are engaged in talk that would send Vontez Burfict to Oakland per sources

 
No one likes to hear it, but this is a good free agency to sit out.  It's a weak free agent class overall, and especially at the positions we need.  And there is an unprecedented amount of cap space.  That leads to deals like TJ Carrie.  There is no way, NO WAY, you give TJ Carrie a deal like that.  Carrie is a great story, and was a great soldier, a good story.  But he was among the worst in the league in completion percentage allowed.  He was basically always on his man, allowed the catch, and made the tackle.  DJ Hayden, but a 7th round pick.  We'll probably get a 5th round comp pick for that deal.  That's smart business.  

We have a ton of cap space next year,and could easily frontload Cooper AND Mack, and set ourselves up for years with cap space.  

At CB, I think we sign one, or even two vet corners.  There are a few players I liked that have gone, Patrick Robinson, Amukamara, but they got overpaid.  We can get steady vet production for a fraction of that.  Rashaan Melvin would be a good signing.  I think my man Dexter McDonald is one of our top 4 guys next year, ideally the dime.  We'll draft another CB in the top 3 rounds, I would wager.  

The best way to improve the CB play is to improve the pass rush.  I see a lot of ways it can improve, without free agency:

1.The new DC going to more of a one gap, attacking system, and being less vanilla than Norton, which seems a guarantee.  
2. Young guys playing better. Mario Edwards in a contract year, we can expect his full effort, we're gonna know what he is by November.  
3. A rookie.  A guy like Harold Landry, or Maurice Hurst could make immediate impact as situational rushers.  It's not a guarantee, but both have the kind of game-speed-that translates right away.  

Landry is interesting. He's the best edge rusher in this draft, and he'll most likely be there.  Chubb doesn't bend the corner like Landry.  How often will we have the chance to get the best edge guy in the draft? They normally go top 5.  If we get any of Hurst, Landry, Roquon, or Edwards, I won't complain.  

My guess is the Raiders have Bowman on hold, Nick Roach-style.  They want to see if a LB falls in their lap, and will probably re-sign him later, maybe after the draft.  

I don't believe that Burfict story.  Came from a  weird TV source. None of the usual news guys have anything on this, and you know they looked into it after the story came out.    

Jordy would be nice, but I dunno if it's an anything other than lateral move if we cut Crabtree.  Having those three on the field together sounds really good to me, all play a similar crafty style, and there will always be someone open.  

 
I think I like this:

Jordy Nelson - WR - Free Agent

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Jordy Nelson is expected to sign with the Raiders.

Nelson is still in Oakland after visiting with the Raiders on Wednesday, and a source told Schefter, "This is going to get done." Nelson is clearly on the back nine of his career, but he would be a solid red-zone option for Derek Carr. If Nelson does end up in Oakland, the Raiders are expected to move on from Michael Crabtree.

 
ICON211 said:
I think I like this:

Jordy Nelson - WR - Free Agent

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Jordy Nelson is expected to sign with the Raiders.

Nelson is still in Oakland after visiting with the Raiders on Wednesday, and a source told Schefter, "This is going to get done." Nelson is clearly on the back nine of his career, but he would be a solid red-zone option for Derek Carr. If Nelson does end up in Oakland, the Raiders are expected to move on from Michael Crabtree.
Click to expand...
I love it.  He isn't the same receiver he was 5 years ago, but he is an excellent route runner and is just one of those pesky guys that always seems to get open and catch almost everything.  He'd be a good fit for us, as long as he isn't too expensive.  Good veteran leadership as well. 

 
I have liked Crabtree's production for the team, but I guess if they can get similar skillset / production without the potential for Talib-incident blow ups, it's an upgrade.

 
Probably a good thing to send Crabtree packing. Judging by the tweet someone on here posted calling Carr MAGA#4, seems like maybe there was some division in the locker room and he still has to bring it up. Possibly he was becoming a cancer.

 
Bruno2 said:
Probably a good thing to send Crabtree packing. Judging by the tweet someone on here posted calling Carr MAGA#4, seems like maybe there was some division in the locker room and he still has to bring it up. Possibly he was becoming a cancer.
Click to expand...
Yeah, looking at exchanging Nelson for Crabtree looks more like a team culture move than an upgrade on the field.  Nelson can still be an effective receiver, but he sure looked like he had lost a lot of speed and didn't have the separation ability that he had in the past.  Still should be an excellent red zone guy and he won't be in danger of losing his chain when they play the Rams..............

 
ICON211 said:
I think I like this:

Jordy Nelson - WR - Free Agent

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Jordy Nelson is expected to sign with the Raiders.

Nelson is still in Oakland after visiting with the Raiders on Wednesday, and a source told Schefter, "This is going to get done." Nelson is clearly on the back nine of his career, but he would be a solid red-zone option for Derek Carr. If Nelson does end up in Oakland, the Raiders are expected to move on from Michael Crabtree.
Click to expand...
Not sure what there is to be excited about. He will be 33 yo at the start of the season. Digging in to the numbers:

Year Age Tm Pos No. G GS Tgt Rec Yds Y/R TD Lng R/G Y/G Ctch%
2014* 29 GNB WR 87 16 16 151 98 1519 15.5 13 80 6.1 94.9 64.90%
2016 31 GNB WR 87 16 16 152 97 1257 13 14 60 6.1 78.6 63.80%
2017 32 GNB WR 87 15 15 88 53 482 9.1 6 58 3.5 32.1 60.20%


We see his ypc has been trending down the past 3 years, with a very uninspiring 9.1 avg last year. We also see that his catch rate has been in decline the past 3 season. He comes with some durability concerns as well. He missed the entire 2015 season, and didn't play a complete season until his 7th year in the league. Clearly his best years are behind him.

Feels like more of a name brand signing then an upgrade. 

 
I gotta agree.  Don't see Nelson for Crabtree as an upgrade. Curious if the locker room cancer whispers are true. Seems del Rio really lost control  of the team.

 
I don't see Jordy as a major upgrade over Crabtree, might even be a lateral move.  I'd also be fine with keeping Crabtree even if Jordy is signed.  But if it's one or the other...Jordy is not going to drop the ball and he's a better locker room guy.  I'm also not going to judge him based on last year with Hundley throwing him the ball a lot of the season.  

 
SDJohnny said:
 Don't see Nelson for Crabtree as an upgrade. Curious if the locker room cancer whispers are true.
Click to expand...
Yes to first part because of the 2nd part.

I would expect the Raiders to add a youthful WR in the draft and have Jordy be a benefit to both the rook and Amari.

 
BigSteelThrill said:
Yes to first part because of the 2nd part.

I would expect the Raiders to add a youthful WR in the draft and have Jordy be a benefit to both the rook and Amari.
Click to expand...
This makes sense.  Nelson is not a great WR any longer but he can help solidify a locker room that must have been a mess last season. 

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BobbyLayne
***Official 1st Pick PPR (Redraft) thread***
Replies
16
Views
966
SoBeDad
S
Yogibear
The Road to Super Bowl LX
Replies
0
Views
421
Yogibear
Yogibear
T
Travdogg's positional rankings from week 9 onward
Replies
20
Views
3K
TheDirtyWord
TheDirtyWord

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)
Back
Top