Las Vegas Raiders New Regime Putting Their Stamp on Team

Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels have taken over in Sin City. And the Las Vegas Raiders continue to make plenty of moves.

It’s a club that always makes its share of noise once the new fiscal year begins. And 2022 has been no exception. The Las Vegas Raiders, with a new general manager and head coach, added some major talent via the trade route and free agency.

The biggest examples came in the form of a deal that enabled the Silver and Black to acquire All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams from the Green Bay Packers for a pair of high draft choices. The club also signed pass-rusher Chandler Jones away from the Arizona Cardinals.

But it hasn’t all been about the additions. First things first. Back in 2019, the duo of general manager Mike Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden utilized three selections in the first round. They added defensive end Clelin Ferrell, running back Josh Jacobs, and safety Johnathan Abram. But earlier this month, the team announced that they would not be picking up the fifth-year option on any of those three players.

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Controversial Decisions?

The decision not to pick up the fifth-year option on Ferrell was hardly a shock. In three seasons and a total of 42 regular-season contests, the former Clemson University standout has been an underwhelming performer. There’s a total of eight sacks, two forced fumbles and nine passes knocked down. After making a combined 26 starts his first two seasons, Ferrell played in a total of 17 contests (including playoffs) and was never in the opening lineup.

The hard-hitting Abram was limited to one game his rookie season. His availability has increased these last two seasons. In 2021, he was second on the team with 114 defensive stops. But he’s still yet to play a full season and was not around down the stretch and for the playoff match-up with the Bengals.

Perhaps the real shock was in regards to Jacobs. A 1,000-plus yard rusher in each of his first two seasons and a Pro Bowler in 2020, the former University of Alabama product comes off his least productive year. But he did catch a career-high 54 passes. He finished with 1,220 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns. And he rolled up 127 yards from scrimmage (83 rushing) in the wild card loss at Cincinnati.

Hence it’s a big year upcoming for these three first-round picks from the Class of 2019. It’s safe to say that Ziegler and McDaniels are looking to make their own statement here. More importantly, the Raiders haven’t won a postseason game since 2002. And that’s something the team really needs to change this year.