An exciting joyride of a season for the Raiders fell off a cliff as the team lost four straight games, and though Oakland still has a shot at the playoffs, the campaign feels about finished.
But it’s not over yet. There are still two games against division rivals remaining, beginning with the Chargers in LA. The final two contests figure to answer some questions about next season, the Raiders’ first in their new home, Las Vegas.
Here are the players to watch as the Raiders attempt to build momentum for the offseason and give their fans cause for optimism.
CB Trayvon Mullen
Of all the reasons to be optimistic about this week’s game and the Raiders’ future, the recent play of Trayvon Mullen is at or near the top of the list.
According to The Raiders Wire’s own Marcus Johnson, Mullen had a stellar statistical performance against the Jaguars while being targeted 10 times. It was perhaps the rookie’s finest game as a professional.
According to NBC Sports’ Scott Bair, coach Jon Gruden said Mullen “had a real presence of himself out there on the grass, [and] a lot of confidence,” in the Jaguars game. Watch to see if Mullen can continue to build his own momentum as the team prepares for its Las Vegas era.
WR Hunter Renfrow
Another rookie, wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, looks to gain steam for the Raiders’ rebuild. Unlike Mullen, who is on a roll, he’ll have to build pace from a standing start.
Renfrow returns from action after missing three weeks with a rib injury, which halted his progress this season. He has 36 catches for 396 yards along with two touchdowns thus far. At the time of his injury, quarterback Derek Carr had begun to look his way more often.
Watch Sunday to see if Renfrow can pick up where he left off. Also, keep an eye on the punt return unit, when Renfrow is expected to act as return specialist, at least part-time. After the release of WR Trevor Davis, the Raiders are still looking for an answer there, and Gruden wants to see how the sure-handed WR performs.
DE Clelin Ferrell
According to nearly all NFL Draft observers, the Raiders reached on No. 4 overall pick, defensive end Clelin Ferrell. It’s taken some time, but the selection looks better by the week.
During the last month, Ferrell has graded out as the NFL’s fifth-best edge defender, according to Pro Football Focus. And his play is still rising — his grade against the Jaguars was his best mark thus far.
Watch Ferrell’s performance, but also literally watch for him. He played just 23 snaps against Jacksonville. The Raiders would be wise to play him much more, allowing him to further develop and for his confidence to flourish.
RB DeAndre Washington/RB Jalen Richard
With star rookie running back Josh Jacobs unavailable Sunday, running backs Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington will see lots of work.
The duo did well the last time Jacobs’ fractured shoulder sidelined him, and they are capable and fun to watch, as well. But neither has a contract for next season. They could be playing for their spot on the Las Vegas Raiders.
Pro Bowl offensive tackle Trent Brown is also out with injury, making matters more difficult for Richard and Washington. But this is their chance to convince Gruden they belong on the team long term. If they propel the Raiders to victory, that bodes well for their chances.
Coach Jon Gruden/QB Derek Carr
When the Raiders were 6-4, Gruden and his quarterback, Derek Carr, appeared to be a perfect match. But four consecutive losses later, that’s not the case.
Though the offense is ranked in the top half of the NFL in terms of total yardage, the Raiders’ failure to produce points is a problem, especially in the second half of ballgames. During the last five weeks, Gruden and Carr’s offense scored just one touchdown in 27 second-half possessions to go with two field goals.
Both men admit fault for the recent failures. It’s clear they must work together and find their groove once again. But recent reports suggest Gruden isn’t a believer in Carr’s skill-set, most notably his ability to gain yards when Gruden’s play call breaks down.
Watch to see if the Raiders can turn yards into touchdowns against the Chargers. The dynamic between Carr and Gruden isn’t clear, but one thing is for certain: the offense must perform better, especially in the third and fourth quarter, after the opposing defense has adjusted.
For the players on this list, coach and QB included, questions must be answered so the Raiders can move forward with purpose. Gruden returned to the Raiders to build a contender and every snap counts.
Plus, as one of the remaining teams with a path to the playoffs, the Raiders have plenty of motivation. That should help them perform better and provide some positivity, not only for their offseason and impending move but for their loyal fans.
