The question is circling the NFL community: Do the Raiders finally have a top-five offense? This off-season, the Raiders have drastically improved an offense that already consisted of incredible talent. A 10-win playoff team added one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, more firepower in the backfield, and a fullback who comes highly praised. Last year, they were good. Now, they have an offense feared across the league.
How does their receiving corps compare?
The Raiders live in the most difficult offensive division in the league. Each year, twice a year, they face the likes of Travis Kelce, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Jerry Jeudy, and a string of other talents. Last season, they would head into these matchups riding on the hope of one man, Hunter Renfrow.
Renfrow proved to be up to the challenge of carrying the Raiders’ offense, but what’s better than one intimidating receiver? Two intimidating receivers.
The addition of Davante Adams to complement Renfrow has completely changed the trajectory of the Silver and Black. Adams and Renfrow will now act as one, leaning on Bryan Edwards, Demarcus Robinson, and Mack Hollins to make plays when they can’t. But, let’s be honest, have you ever known either of them to not make a play?
Adams and Renfrow will be accompanied by Pro-Bowl tight end Darren Waller. Waller had a down year last season due to injury, but is widely regarded as a top-five tight end. After recovering from both a knee and back injury, Waller is healthy and preparing to have another All-Pro-level season in 2022.
Checking in on the running back room
Former first-round pick Josh Jacobs is heading into his fourth year in the league. Twice he has rushed for over 1,000 yards. In 2021, he clocked in at 872 rushing yards per Pro Football Reference. Jacobs will share the backfield with Kenyan Drake and several new Raiders.
Despite the addition of several new running backs, look for Jacobs to carry most of the weight in the backfield, as he has already received high praise from new head coach, Josh McDaniels, this off-season. According to PFF, Jacobs has the third-most missed tackles forced since 2019. His ability to create extra yardage will continue to pave the way for an improved offensive corps in 2022.
Prior to injury, Jacob’s counterpart, Kenyan Drake, was an integral part of the Las Vegas offense with 30 receptions and 63 rushing attempts in 12 games, per PFR. This year, Ameer Abdullah and Brandon Bolden are expected to share time in the backfield with Drake and Jacobs. Abdullah is coming off a 166 rushing yard season, whereas Bolden is looking to improve on a season with 226 rushing yards.
The addition of several running backs and wide receivers is complemented by the addition of former Patriots’ fullback, Jakob Johnson. Johnson comes to Sin City with a strong relationship with his new head coach. McDaniels and Johnson have spent the previous two seasons together in New England and are now reunited with the Raiders. Johnson has left his mark with his aggressiveness, adaptability, and an ever-improving football IQ.
What it all means to the Raiders offense
When you look at the Raiders’ offense on paper, it’s hard to name more than five teams with rosters superior to theirs. Luckily for Raider Nation, they’re not the only people who think so. Many high-profile analysts agree, with Good Morning Football’s Kyle Brandt going so far as to name the Raiders the “scariest offense in the AFC” heading into the 2022 season. It’s safe to say, the new front office regime is receiving high praise in a conference stacked with the likes of Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Lamar Jackson.
Time will tell if off-season additions and a new head coach at the helm will bring continued success to the dessert, but for now, Raider fans can look optimistically to the upcoming season.
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