While the Raiders did not make the playoffs in 2019, several key players took a positive step forward. Players such as Darren Waller, Kolton Miller and Maxx Crosby all had breakout seasons with the Raiders this year.
However, there are a handful of players on the roster that need to step up next season if the team wants to take the next step. Here are three names who must step up in the 2020 season:
1. DB Lamarcus Joyner
The Raiders made some big splashes in free agency last offseason, signing veterans Trent Brown and Tyrell Williams. Their biggest signing on defense was bringing in versatile defensive back Lamarcus Joyner, who played at a near Pro Bowl level when he was with the Rams.
The Raiders brought in Joyner with the intent to play him as a free safety on early downs and then sliding him into the slot on passing down. However, Joyner was arguably the team’s worst defensive back last season, struggling mightily in coverage.
While it’s true Joyner dealt with a few lower-body injuries, his play simply wasn’t good enough. Joyner will need to be significantly better next season in order to avoid being a cap casualty next offseason.
2. RG Gabe Jackson
Let’s first start with Gabe Jackson’s injury. It was pretty clear he was never fully healthy this season as he started only 11 games this season. However, when Jackson was on the field, his play wasn’t good enough.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson was the team’s lowest-graded starting offensive linemen, ranking as just the league’s No. 37 guard. For a player of his talent level, that’s simply not good enough. He has the potential to be a Pro Bowl player, but we haven’t seen that level of play from him in the last few seasons.
Hopefully, Jackson will be able to get back to his normal self in 2020 as the team could use him to help open rushing lanes for Josh Jacobs.
3. QB Derek Carr
By nearly every statistic, Derek Carr improved in 2019 from his 2018 season. He completed a higher percentage of his passes, threw for more yards, more touchdowns all while throwing fewer interceptions.
However, Carr’s play still isn’t good enough if the Raiders want to make a legit run in the playoffs. Too often, Carr would get conservative in big moments or would miss higher difficulty throws. There has also been a few mind-numbing mistakes, such as the goal-line fumble against Green Bay that flipped the game.
While Carr’s job isn’t in jeopardy yet, time is running out for Carr with Jon Gruden. He is going to need to continue to show improvement in order to save his job or else the Raiders could be looking for a new franchise quarterback by 2021.
