The Oakland Raiders have surprised the rest of the NFL, beating the Denver Broncos in Week 1 of the regular season. A lot of their success on Monday Night Football was due to a strong rookie class, especially from their first-round picks. Here is the team’s rookie report after Week 1:
DE Clelin Ferrell: A
It didn’t take long for the No. 4 pick in the 2019 draft to make an impact for the Raiders. In the first half, Ferrell was in the backfield constantly and recorded a key pass deflection on third down. In the fourth quarter, Ferrell recorded the first sack of his career, forcing the Broncos to kick a field goal. Ferrell couldn’t have had a better debut with the Raiders.
RB Josh Jacobs: A
Many criticized the Raiders for using the No. 24 pick in the 2019 draft on a running back. However, it took all of one game for people to realize just how special of a talent he is. Oakland leaned on Jacobs heavily in this game and he repaid the Raiders by totaling 113 yards and two touchdowns. Jacobs should be considered the favorite to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2019.
SS Johnathan Abram: C
Abram had a very up-and-down game, making some massive hits and racking up the tackles. But as we saw in college, Abram is going to be a penalty machine. He was called for a defensive holding in coverage and for a lowering-the-helmet call in the third quarter. Abram finished the game with five total tackles and one pass deflection.
CB Trayvon Mullen: C
After Gareon Conley left the game due to what looked like a serious neck injury, Mullen was inserted into the lineup in his place. The Broncos immediately attacked the rookie and Emmanuel Sanders had a field day.
However, Mullen was constantly around the ball, almost making a pick-six late in the fourth quarter. Later in that drive, Sanders beat him for a touchdown on a back-shoulder throw. But considering the matchup and the situation he was placed in, it’s tough to be too critical of Mullen.
DE Maxx Crosby: B+
Despite wearing a massive cast around his broken hand, defensive end Maxx Crosby was an impact player for the Raiders on Monday Night Football. Crosby recorded three solo tackles along with three assists rotating in at defensive end. Considering he missed so much time over the last few weeks due to his hand injury, it’s tough to pick nits in anything Crosby did versus the Broncos.
CB Isaiah Johnson: N/A
After suffering a broken bone in his face during the team’s first preseason game, fourth-round pick Isaiah Johnson was placed on the Raiders’ injured reserve list. He is eligible to return to the team after eight weeks.
TE Foster Moreau: B
While Darren Waller was the tight end who got most of the work in the passing game, it was fifth-round pick Foster Moreau who did most of the work on the ground as a blocker. Moreau did receive two targets, catching both for 20 yards. Moreau figures to be the No. 2 tight end for Oakland for most of the season.
WR Hunter Renfrow: B+
As usual, the fifth-round pick did exactly what he always does; make big catches on third down. Renfrow finished the game with just two catches, but both moved the chains, setting up points for the Raiders. Considering the role he played and his opportunities, this was a fantastic performance by Renfrow.
DE Quinton Bell: N/A
Quinton Bell is currently on the Raiders’ practice squad and did not play in Week 1. He continues to be a high-upside project who the team is interested in developing over the next few seasons.
