2024 NFL Power Rankings: Las Vegas Raiders Deep Dive

Key Points

Ranking: Las Vegas Raiders are ranked number 24 in the 2024 NFL Power Rankings.
Identity: Described as a “frisky team” with an identity as “ass kickers.” Expected to pull off unexpected upsets.

Offseason Changes

Coaching Staff

Antonio Pierce: Continues as head coach; valued for bringing physicality and identity to the team.
Luke Getsy: New offensive coordinator, replacing McK Lombardi. Mixed reactions due to his past with the Chicago Bears.
Marvin Lewis: Hired as an assistant head coach.
Carmen Brillo: Departure of the offensive line coach; replaced by less proven James Craig.

Player Personnel

Quarterbacks: Slightly upgraded. Movement from Jimmy Garoppo to Gardner Minshew.
Running Backs: Downgraded. Loss of Josh Jacobs; additions include Alexander Madison and sixth-round pick Dylan La.
Tight Ends: Upgraded significantly. First-round pick Brock Bowers and new addition Harrison Bryant.
Wide Receivers: Slightly changed. Addition of veterans Michael Gallup and Jaylen Gon. Neutral ranking overall.
Offensive Line: To be determined. Departures include two key players, but additions like Jackson Powers Johnson and DJ Glaze.
Defensive Line: Upgraded with the addition of Christian Wilkins but losses include Balow Nichols and Jerry Tillery.
Linebackers: Minimal changes. Added Tommy Eikenberg in the fifth round.
Cornerbacks: Ambiguous changes. Departures include starters from last season; new additions are rookies.
Safeties: Neutral. Minimal changes from last season.

Coaching Analysis

Head Coach: Antonio Pierce

Brought back for his leadership and team identity; concerns about lack of experience.
Rated 24th best head coach in NFL.

Offensive Coordinator: Luke Getsy

Known for wide-zone, play-action-heavy offense; a controversial hire due to past performance.
Familiarity with Davante Adams, which could be a positive.

Defensive Coordinator: Patrick Graham

Ranked higher and viewed as a potential head coach candidate.
Known for adaptive, multiple defenses with a variety of fronts and coverages.

Player Analysis

Quarterbacks

Gardner Minshew: Considered the starting QB; good game manager with instincts for third-down playmaking. Ranked 27th for passing.
Aiden O'Connell: Second-year QB; less physically talented but showed flashes last season.
Raiders ranked 27th overall for QB play.

Weapons (WRs, TEs, RBs)

Davante Adams: Still a top-tier receiver, albeit a slight drop in hands and contested catches.
Jacoby Meyers: Physical slot receiver with excellent contested catch stats.
Trey Tucker: Emerging deep threat, promising rookie season.
Brock Bowers & Michael Mayer: Form one of the best TE duos; Bowers is a versatile playmaker.
Running Backs: Zamir White likely to see a high workload; Madison expected to be a backup. Ranked low overall at RB.
Overall weapons ranked in the top third of the league.

Offensive Line

Colton Miller (LT): Franchise left tackle; cornerstone of the OL.
Other notable linemen: Dylan Parham, Andre James, Jackson Powers-Johnson, and Thayer Munford.
Depth: Solid backups like Andrew Peat and Cody Whitehair.
Overall ranked 11th-12th in pass blocking and run blocking.

Defense

Defensive Line

Top Players: Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins. Excellent run defense and solid pass rushers.
Malcolm Koonce: Potential second edge rusher, despite run defense struggles.
Tyree Wilson: Needs to improve significantly.
Depth: Veteran presence with John Jenkins and Adam Butler.
Overall ranked 7th-8th for defensive line.

Linebackers

Top Players: Robert Spain and Divine Deablo. Solid but unspectacular duo.
Depth: Luke Masterson and rookie Tommy Eikenberg.
Ranked middle of the pack.

Secondary

Cornerbacks: Jack Jones emerging as a playmaker, but concerns about starting quality overall.
Safeties: Marcus Epps and Tre’Von Moehrig are solid but unspectacular.
Depth: Promising rookie Chris Smith and others.
Ranked near the bottom in terms of coverage.

Special Teams

Kicker & Punter: Daniel Carlson and AJ Cole considered one of the best duos.
Ranked 13th overall in special teams.

Final Thoughts

Strengths

Offensive Line: Strong unit, especially in pass protection and run blocking.
Weapons: Versatile, highly complementary skill sets.
Defensive Line: Strong run defense, solid pass rush.

Weaknesses

Passing Game: Questions at QB and play-calling from Luke Getsy.
Secondary: Significant vulnerabilities in coverage.

Schedule & Predictions

Tough Schedule: Difficult first 10 games; easier run in the second half.
Over/Under: 6.5 wins; realistic projection aligns with an average outcome.

Outlook

A team with potential for surprise upsets due to strong identity and elite talent in key areas. Offense will depend heavily on the defensive performance and efficient game management. Overall, a promising but cautious outlook for the season due to uncertainties at crucial positions.

2024 NFL Power Rankings: Las Vegas Raiders Deep Dive

Key Points

Ranking: Las Vegas Raiders are ranked number 24 in the 2024 NFL Power Rankings.
Identity: Described as a “frisky team” with an identity as “ass kickers.” Expected to pull off unexpected upsets.

Offseason Changes

Coaching Staff

Antonio Pierce: Continues as head coach; valued for bringing physicality and identity to the team.
Luke Getsy: New offensive coordinator, replacing McK Lombardi. Mixed reactions due to his past with the Chicago Bears.
Marvin Lewis: Hired as an assistant head coach.
Carmen Brillo: Departure of the offensive line coach; replaced by less proven James Craig.

Player Personnel

Quarterbacks: Slightly upgraded. Movement from Jimmy Garoppo to Gardner Minshew.
Running Backs: Downgraded. Loss of Josh Jacobs; additions include Alexander Madison and sixth-round pick Dylan La.
Tight Ends: Upgraded significantly. First-round pick Brock Bowers and new addition Harrison Bryant.
Wide Receivers: Slightly changed. Addition of veterans Michael Gallup and Jaylen Gon. Neutral ranking overall.
Offensive Line: To be determined. Departures include two key players, but additions like Jackson Powers Johnson and DJ Glaze.
Defensive Line: Upgraded with the addition of Christian Wilkins but losses include Balow Nichols and Jerry Tillery.
Linebackers: Minimal changes. Added Tommy Eikenberg in the fifth round.
Cornerbacks: Ambiguous changes. Departures include starters from last season; new additions are rookies.
Safeties: Neutral. Minimal changes from last season.

Coaching Analysis

Head Coach: Antonio Pierce

Brought back for his leadership and team identity; concerns about lack of experience.
Rated 24th best head coach in NFL.

Offensive Coordinator: Luke Getsy

Known for wide-zone, play-action-heavy offense; a controversial hire due to past performance.
Familiarity with Davante Adams, which could be a positive.

Defensive Coordinator: Patrick Graham

Ranked higher and viewed as a potential head coach candidate.
Known for adaptive, multiple defenses with a variety of fronts and coverages.

Player Analysis

Quarterbacks

Gardner Minshew: Considered the starting QB; good game manager with instincts for third-down playmaking. Ranked 27th for passing.
Aiden O'Connell: Second-year QB; less physically talented but showed flashes last season.
Raiders ranked 27th overall for QB play.

Weapons (WRs, TEs, RBs)

Davante Adams: Still a top-tier receiver, albeit a slight drop in hands and contested catches.
Jacoby Meyers: Physical slot receiver with excellent contested catch stats.
Trey Tucker: Emerging deep threat, promising rookie season.
Brock Bowers & Michael Mayer: Form one of the best TE duos; Bowers is a versatile playmaker.
Running Backs: Zamir White likely to see a high workload; Madison expected to be a backup. Ranked low overall at RB.
Overall weapons ranked in the top third of the league.

Offensive Line

Colton Miller (LT): Franchise left tackle; cornerstone of the OL.
Other notable linemen: Dylan Parham, Andre James, Jackson Powers-Johnson, and Thayer Munford.
Depth: Solid backups like Andrew Peat and Cody Whitehair.
Overall ranked 11th-12th in pass blocking and run blocking.

Defense

Defensive Line

Top Players: Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins. Excellent run defense and solid pass rushers.
Malcolm Koonce: Potential second edge rusher, despite run defense struggles.
Tyree Wilson: Needs to improve significantly.
Depth: Veteran presence with John Jenkins and Adam Butler.
Overall ranked 7th-8th for defensive line.

Linebackers

Top Players: Robert Spain and Divine Deablo. Solid but unspectacular duo.
Depth: Luke Masterson and rookie Tommy Eikenberg.
Ranked middle of the pack.

Secondary

Cornerbacks: Jack Jones emerging as a playmaker, but concerns about starting quality overall.
Safeties: Marcus Epps and Tre’Von Moehrig are solid but unspectacular.
Depth: Promising rookie Chris Smith and others.
Ranked near the bottom in terms of coverage.

Special Teams

Kicker & Punter: Daniel Carlson and AJ Cole considered one of the best duos.
Ranked 13th overall in special teams.

Final Thoughts

Strengths

Offensive Line: Strong unit, especially in pass protection and run blocking.
Weapons: Versatile, highly complementary skill sets.
Defensive Line: Strong run defense, solid pass rush.

Weaknesses

Passing Game: Questions at QB and play-calling from Luke Getsy.
Secondary: Significant vulnerabilities in coverage.

Schedule & Predictions

Tough Schedule: Difficult first 10 games; easier run in the second half.
Over/Under: 6.5 wins; realistic projection aligns with an average outcome.

Outlook

A team with potential for surprise upsets due to strong identity and elite talent in key areas. Offense will depend heavily on the defensive performance and efficient game management. Overall, a promising but cautious outlook for the season due to uncertainties at crucial positions.