The Oakland Raiders had a pretty potent offense in 2016. Derek Carr was an MVP candidate, they combined for 1,922 rushing yards, and both Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper broke 1,000 yards receiving. They were able to move up and down the field on most teams. However, the offense of the 2017 Oakland Raiders might be even better.
The Offensive Potential of the 2017 Oakland Raiders
The Chosen One
Believe it or not, Derek Carr is going to be even better in 2017. He’s another year wiser, he understands the game better, and he’s going to play a big role in building his offense. That’s right, Derek Carr and new offensive coordinator, Todd Downing, are going to create a new offense for the Raiders.
Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Peyton Manning were all involved in designing their offenses, and now Derek Carr joins the club. An older, wiser, smarter Carr will make the offense that much better. The only way this isn’t true is if he struggles to mentally get over his injury.
Free Agent Acquisitions
The Oakland Raiders remained relatively quiet in free agency this year, but they did add a couple of nice pieces. Tight end Jared Cook, wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, and yes, running back Marshawn Lynch make the Oakland offense that much better.
When Derek Carr lines up under center, he could do so next to Lynch, looking out at Cooper, Crabtree, Patterson, and Cook. And he’d be doing so behind arguably the NFL’s best offensive line. Throw in players from last year like Seth Roberts and Clive Walford, and there’s no shortage of weapons on the offense.
Jared Cook
Derek Carr has never really had a go-to tight end. Clive Walford and Mychal Rivera were young guys that haven’t panned out yet, and Lee Smith is pure-blocker. Jared Cook is one of the fastest tight ends in the NFL, and if he fits in with this offense, he could give Carr a nice second option.
The person that benefits from this signing the most is Clive Walford. Walford was brilliant in spots for the Raiders, but he wasn’t very consistent. Now there isn’t as much pressure on Walford to be the number one tight end, and he’ll see more relaxed coverage in easier situations.
Cordarrelle Patterson
It’s unclear exactly what Cordarrelle Patterson brings to the Oakland Raiders. He’s a phenomenal athlete, and a dynamic kick returner, but how does he help as a receiver? Will he take the slot receiver job from Seth Roberts or will he just be a trick play weapon? Either way, you can’t teach the kind of speed he brings to the table, and the Raiders might’ve found their deep threat.
Marshawn Lynch
Latavius Murray was a good, not great back for the Oakland Raiders last year. He scored more than ten times, so you know he can play, but he never really played the role they needed him to. He was a big back, and he was fantastic in the redzone, but he didn’t bring that same passion to the other 80 yards of the field.
Marshawn Lynch brings muscle and a nasty streak to Oakland’s run game. With Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington being quicker scat backs, Marshawn Lynch can punish the front seven of opponents. With Lynch in the backfield, Carr will see third and long less and less often.
How?
How do you stop it? The best young quarterback in football comes out with Marshawn Lynch, Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Jared Cook. Who do you double-cover?
If you bring out a bunch of defensive backs to stop the speedy receivers, then you’re hoping one can bring down Lynch. If you load up with linebackers, you’re hoping that one can cover a speedster like Cook or Patterson. It’s pick your poison, and they’re all lethal.
The Oakland Raiders were top ten in the NFL last year, and that’s with some hiccups. Derek Carr was suffering from a hand injury for weeks before his broke his fibula, and at points, the playcalling of Bill Musgrave was atrocious. With these additions, and some good luck, imagine how good the 2017 Oakland Raiders offense could be.
