The Raiders entered the offseason in rebuilding mode, armed with an abundance of assets. For coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock, the process took a sharp turn when they realized acquiring wide receiver Antonio Brown was a possibility.
“The wild card in our planning was the understanding that Antonio Brown might be available,” Mayock said during Brown’s introductory press conference, according to NBC Sports’ Scott Bair. “When, all of a sudden, we realized we might have an opportunity to compete for his services, it changed everything.”
After trading star defensive end Khalil Mack and promising WR Amari Cooper last season for first-round draft picks, the Raiders were set for a meticulous rebuild. Now, with a superstar like Brown, who told reporters Wednesday he wants to match records set by Hall-of-Fame WR Jerry Rice, the expectations for next year’s club have risen dramatically.
But Gruden and Mayock couldn’t help themselves, and for good reason. It only took a third and fifth-round pick in the upcoming draft to gain the rights to Brown. The Raiders retained their top four selections and have used their salary cap space to spend lavishly on free agents that will help the team fulfill expectations the Brown trade has brought. Most notably, offensive tackle Trent Brown was given the richest contract ever for a lineman. He’ll help protect quarterback Derek Carr, who was sacked 52 times last season.
With the additional signings of safety Lamarcus Joyner and WR Tyrell Williams, Mayock can focus on an NFL draft rich with defensive talent, especially in the front seven. The Raiders had just 13 sacks in 2018, and they’re in dire need of help at linebacker.
Bringing Brown to the Raiders was a bold move, bargain or not. The nearly 31-year-old wideout had a tumultuous season with the Steelers, a franchise that didn’t have a losing season during Brown’s tenure. Moves made by the front office reflect a newly entrenched urgency to be a winner, and with four selections in the first 35 picks in the draft, the Raiders’ change in direction could bring them to contention in 2019 and keep everybody happy, including Brown.
