This article claims to include five Raiders to watch in the season opener on Monday Night Football against the Broncos.
But the reality is there are well more than five players worth your attention when the season finally starts.
A monumental offseason for the Raiders is finally over. Three first-round draft picks ushered in a youth movement and multiple highly-paid, high-impact free agents were signed by coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock.
The Raiders are rebuilding with youth, but aim to win now with help from highly skilled veterans. Their top-flight players saw little preseason action, giving further rise to the anticipation each year brings.
Here are the players to focus on most when the Raiders open the campaign under the lights at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Antonio Brown | WR
The Raiders’ most impactful acquisition, wide receiver Antonio Brown made headlines during the preseason for everything but his supreme talent on the field. On Monday night, that skill will be on display for the first time as a Raider.
Brown didn’t play all preseason, having only recently secured all of his Raiders gear. He finally chose a helmet after he tried to get his old, outdated lid approved by the NFL and failed. His feet are ready to go as well after they were damaged in a cryotherapy mishap.
The four-time All-Pro is still making waves. On Wednesday, he revealed the Raiders had fined him for time missed by posting a letter from Mayock on his Instagram account.
But the Raiders knew the gamble in acquiring the mercurial wideout. They need his ability on the gridiron for the quick franchise turnaround Gruden is looking for. On Monday night, Brown will look to make headlines for his talent, at last.
Derek Carr | QB
Quarterback Derek Carr has seen plenty of action as a Raider. In fact, he’s one of the veterans Oakland will lean on during Gruden’s attempt for a rapid rebuild.
Now in his fifth season as the Raiders’ signal-caller, Carr will look to regain the MVP form he displayed in 2016 when he led the Raiders to a 12-4 record. Brown will aid that quest tremendously. In fact, if Carr doesn’t regain his 2016 swagger, it will be a sizable disappointment.
His opportunity begins Monday night. Simply winning the ballgame is all Carr and the Raiders must do, but if he reaches 340 yards passing, he could put the entire league on notice. He needs 339 yards to match the Raiders’ all-time passing yardage leader, Hall of Fame QB Ken Stabler.
Kolton Miller | OT
Offensive tackle Kolton Miller should actually be first on this list. But linemen aren’t meant for headlines — unless they perform poorly.
Miller did a lot of that last season. He started 16 games as a rookie but allowed just as many sacks. No player in the NFL allowed more. Miller showed impressive toughness, however, playing through an injured MCL in his knee suffered early in the campaign.
He gained muscle and looked improved in training camp but saw limited action in the preseason. As the team’s left tackle, he simply must improve for the Raiders to make progress. Gruden spent a first-round pick on him last year in what was considered a reach, making matters more imperative.
Keep an eye on the Raiders guards, as well. Starters Richie Incognito and Gabe Jackson are out, with a suspension and injury, respectively. Jordan Devy and Denzelle Good, and possibly Jonathan Cooper, will protect Carr in their absence.
The Raiders allowed more than 50 sacks last season. History can’t repeat itself if Oakland is to turn the franchise around, and it starts with Miller’s improvement.
Raiders’ first-round picks
The Raiders roster is full of rookies and young players, and that movement starts with their three first-round picks this season: running back Josh Jacobs, defensive end Clelin Ferrell and safety Johnathan Abram.
Jacobs is the No. 1 player to watch among the three, which is saying something when you consider he’s not the highest pick — that was Ferrell at No. 4.
But Jacobs looked electric in his only action of the preseason, and he figures to get a lot of work this year, in the running and passing game. Don’t miss his fellow rookie starter in the backfield, either, in fullback Alec Ingold.
Ferrell is a high-floor, NFL ready prospect who figures to help secure the run defense and rush the passer when the opportunity arises. Though he doesn’t figure to be flashy, he simply must be good for the Raiders’ plans to come to fruition. Mayock could have had nearly any player in the NFL draft but chose Ferrell.
Abram is a versatile player that has the physicality to play close to the line of scrimmage as well as drop back in coverage. Watch for him to be aggressive and even attack the quarterback via the blitz. The Raiders have to improve on their paltry 13 sacks last season and shouldn’t assume the front seven can increase that number on their own.
Vontaze Burfict | MLB
Middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict is the key to the Raiders defense this season. A veteran of defensive coordinator Paul Guenther’s defense thanks to their years together with the Bengals, it’s up to him to make sure the numerous new pieces of defense are on the same page and don’t allow big plays like last year.
Making his task more crucial, he’s the only player listed on the depth chart at his position. Gruden and Guenther have hitched their wagon to Burfict and he must respond.
There are still more players to watch on defense. Second-year players, defensive end Arden Key and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst will start. They’re vitally important to the team’s rebuild. Free-agent signing, safety Lamarcus Joyner, is immediately one of the team’s most skilled defenders and will play nickel cornerback, too.
As for more players to monitor on offense: watch offensive tackle, Trent Brown. He’ll be on the right side of the line and easy to spot at 6-foot-8, 380 pounds. He’s the highest-paid lineman in the NFL, and he’s looked the part in limited action.
Also watch for Antonio Brown’s pass-catching compadres, tight end Darren Waller and WR Tyrell Williams. Waller, a former WR, was unguardable during training camp and figures to replace the high production of last season’s tight end, Jared Cook. Williams is the perfect deep threat to pair with Brown.
The season is finally here, and there’s a lot to see. And there’s much to be excited about. Monday will be a coming-out party for many new Raiders, and all the new parts must coalesce quickly if the season is to be a success. There’s no better way to start the campaign than on Monday Night Football against the rival Broncos, and it’s safe to assume Gruden will have the team fired up to perform.
