After Sunday’s debacle, the Raiders will trudge on and look towards the rest of the 2019 season. With the season practically over, Jon Gruden must look forward towards Vegas. The Raiders must examine their roster and begin to flesh out what the future looks like To answer the wheres and what-fors, FPC Raiders writers Ray Aspuria and Terrance Biggs sit in and debate.
Now that the season is effectively over, who do you want to see get reps and why?
Aspuria
Rico Gafford
He’s the only true burner on the Raiders roster at WR and he took advantage of busted coverage for a 49-yard touchdown against the Titans. I’d like to see what he can do with the ball in his hands on jet sweeps and end arounds; also at kick returner too.
Isaiah Johnson
The rookie corner lost at of time and reps due to a facial injury but he’s back and healthy and was inactive this past Sunday. I’d like to see him opposite Trayvon Mullen as it’s abundantly clear Daryl Worley doesn’t have the requisite speed on the outside.
Preston Brown
Will Compton has been getting a ton of snaps, but I’d like to see Brown take them from here on in. He’s the only true run stuffer in that linebacker group and let’s see if he can still be effective stopping the ground game. None of the Raiders linebackers should be trusted in coverage.
DaShone Kizer
When the game is no longer in reach, I’d like to see what the 23-year-old can do in a Jon Gruden offense. We’ve seen exactly what Carr brings to the table. It would be good to do the same with the backup QB.
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Biggs
Marquel Lee
Now that he returned from injury, Lee needs to finish the rest of the season as starter. Tahir Whitehead cannot cover and opponents picked up on that fact early. At best, Lee could serve as depth and nothing else. Playing Whitehead, suits no purpose at this point.
Anthony Ratliff-Williams
Who? The former undrafted wideout from the University of North Carolina sits on the practice squad. Williams could end up fighting for a 2020 roster spot. More importantly, the Raiders lack much in the way of talent at receiver.
Kendall Donnerson
Again, another practice squad player that needs some burn. Why not? The former Packers’ draft pick profiles as a project. However, at 250 pounds, running a 4.44 40 time, as an edge defender could provide the floundering pass rush much-needed help.
Keelan Doss
After spending unnecessary money to lure him back from Jacksonville. After sitting for a month, Doss found his way off the practice squad. Tyrell Williams is not a number-one. Doss probably isn’t, either. Yet, it’s evaluation time.
Granted, Gruden schemed to help with Carr’s accuracy, but didn’t instill the killer instinct. Is it time to say goodbye?
Aspuria
Hang on to Carr in Las Vegas Year 1. After that, there should be evidence plenty. This all hinges upon Gruden making an addition to the QB room — free agency or draft. And that’s not guaranteed. If the Raiders do spend early draft capital on a QB in the draft, you let said talent sit and learn what to and what not to do as Carr takes the snaps.
Biggs
In order to full the new palatial stadium in Las Vegas, the Raiders need to win. Carr, at this point is a transitional quarterback. He is what he is, and that will never change. As a result, bringing another quarterback along via the draft makes sense.
