2022 NFL Team Preview: Las Vegas Raiders -

Under new management and coaching, the Las Vegas Raiders dismantled most of the previous regime’s foundation. Will it work?

When Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels assumed the respective management and coaching power for the Raiders, they began a rebuild. After a 10-7 regular season and their first playoff berth since 2016, a demolition would seem hasty. Yet, Mark Davis wants a sustained level of success. Rich Bisaccia leading the team to a return did not appear to be the likely scenario. As a result, all eyes focus on the new coach and general manager. How will the players respond?

Erasing Past Mistakes

After releasing Alex Leatherwood, the Raiders currently do not employ a single first-round draft pick from 2019 forward that possesses a 2023 contract. Ziegler and McDaniels flushed the remnants of the Gruden-Mayock regime. Due to crimes and poor/inconsistent play, the Raiders do not boast of many top picks. While most snicker and laugh, the new braintrust went to work. With no attachment to previous players, the new shotcallers kept who they believe will flourish.

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Tae Day

In trading for Davante Adams, the Raiders moved their proverbial chips into the middle of the table. The chirpings about Derek Carr not enjoying the talent of a true number-one wideout can end. If you look deeper into the situation, Adams’ arrival opens up the field. First, teams cannot double him. That leaves Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller open to gash their defenses. Either way, Adams wanted to play for the Raiders. How many elite players actually turn down more money to go elsewhere?

Ground And Pound

Despite his reputation as a passing guru, Josh McDaniels loves to run the ball. Over his final six years in New England, McDaniels’ run game ranked in the Top Ten on four separate occasions. Next, the Raiders will feature a running-back-by-committee approach. Josh Jacobs will not need to lug the ball 250 times this season. Rookie Zamir White and veteran Brandon Bolden will divvy up those snaps. Nothing fancy, just old school, downhill football.

Screaming Off The Edge

If you watch the regular-season finale versus the Chargers, you saw Maxx Crosby willing that defense late. Now, he has a complete edge rusher on the other side. In Chandler Jones, the Raiders will deploy another rusher that will get dirty when stopping the run. Since the AFC is blessed with quality run games, having a veteran with 119 tackles for loss makes the defense more dangerous.

Moehrig Moment

During his rookie season, Trevon Moehrig looked so close on so many big plays. Under Patrick Graham, Moenrig will slide into the same role that netted Xavier McKinney five interceptions last year for the Giants. In the AFC West, with every team blessed with top-tier quarterbacks, safety play becomes imminently important. Graham, by all accounts, appreciates Moehrig’s potential. Meanwhile, he will blend said potential with his love of creating turnovers.

Lack Of Noise

For the first time in five seasons, an air of business-like calm surrounds the team. Gone are the days of loud head coaches, controversy, helmet issues, and player revolts. Now, the Raiders don’t seem to flock towards a camera with cartoonish grins and contrived sincerity. More importantly, the 2022 version of the Las Vegas Raiders feel different, outside of the lines.