Fourth-round choice Maxx Crosby notched 10 sacks, and No. 4 total choice Clelin Ferrell added 4.5 of his own and turned a corner late and showcased the talent that has the Raiders thinking he will be a defensive foundation.
Fifth-round pick Hunter Renfrow was a satanic force in the slot, putting together a seven-game stretch that compares favorably to some of the very best receivers in the NFL. Trayvon Mullen flashed shutdown corner potential after grabbing a beginning job in Week 8. Tight end Foster Moreau was a touchdown machine, and undrafted full back Alec Ingold was as strong as they come obstructing for Jacobs.
The 2019 draft class was available in as the fundamental piece of a full-on rebuilt. They went into with a focus on altering the culture and had their websites set on a constructing a dynasty halfway through Year 1 in silver and black.
The Raiders got significant contributions from seven rookies in their 2019 class. Running back Josh Jacobs hurried for 1,150 lawns and 7 touchdowns in 13 games and would have won the Offensive Rookie of the Year if injuries didnt require him to miss three of the last 4 contests.
Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden struck a house run in their very first draft class together. Hell, it was a grand slam.
[RAIDERS TALK: Listen to the most recent episode]
Mayock and Gruden got in the 2020 NFL Draft looking to stack skill on top of skill, intending to add more fundamental pieces to a young, skilled group. They did that. The Raiders included speed in Alabama large receiver Henry Ruggs, toughness in Ohio State cornerback Damon Arnette, flexibility in Kentucky athlete Lynn Bowden Jr. and physicality in South Carolina wideout Bryan Edwards. Tanner Muse, Amik Robertson and John Simpson round out an outstanding class that should mesh well with last years foundational group.
The 2020 class is talented, of that, there is little doubt. Gruden certainly has actually spent the last couple of months computing up a number of methods to get the ball in Ruggs hands, hoping the electric receiver can provide the Raiders offense a dimension it was sorely doing not have a year ago.
Robertson, Muse and Simpson all get in 2020 as depth pieces who the Raiders expect to be beginners in the future. Robertson is an undersized corner with good ball abilities who should take control of for Lamarcus Joyner at slot corner in a year or 2. Muse will spend the year transitioning from safety to linebacker and Simpson will supply interior line depth.
Dont expect the 2020 class to have the very same type of impact that the 2019 team did. Last year, the Raiders novices had the most touchdowns (17 ), most backyards after the catch (676 ), a lot of hurrying lawns (1,167) and most hurrying goals (seven) in the NFL.
The Raiders drafted him as a running back however plan to play him as “Joker” in Grudens offense. Bowden has playmaking capability, however we have no concept how hell be utilized or how often hell be on the field in 2020.
However after Ruggs, who may be the most gifted possibility in both classes, the 2020 class has a great deal of enigma. Not about their overall talent, but relating to the functions theyll have on the 2020 Raiders.
Arnette is a difficult, physical press corner who returned to Ohio State for his senior season in order to improve his legacy. He did, playing the entire season with a damaged hand while enabling the most affordable passer score versus when targeted. However the coronavirus pandemic eliminated minicamp and OTAs, and now Arnette will go into training camp in a fight with Prince Amukamara for the other beginning corner spot opposite Mullen. Amukamara is a constant veteran who Pro Football Focus ranked as the No. 5 press corner in the NFL last season. After an odd offseason, its easy to see Amukamara getting the beginning nod to take some pressure off Arnette.
Edwards was the take of the draft. A first-round skill who was up to the 3rd round due to a foot injury, Edwards is a huge, physical receiver who needs to pair well with Ruggs. Edwards will go into camp in a battle with Nelson Agholor and Zay Jones for the No. 4 receiver spot. While the absence of OTAs may harm Edwards ability to make the task, his raw talent and enormous upside make him the rookie who is more than likely to make a huge impact in 2020 after Ruggs.
[RELATED: Four Raiders position fights to view in training school]
The 2020 class is solid, with skill to help the Raiders make a huge leap in 2020. Its unusual for a group to get as much out of a novice class as the Raiders did in 2019. It was a combination of supreme talent and chance that enabled them to shine and show they were the future of the Silver and Black.
The 2020 class will be vital to the Raiders growth as Grudens restore hits Phase 2. In 2020, Ruggs might be the only novice to make an instant, mind-blowing effect. Edwards and Arnette face difficult training camp fights to make starting roles, and the rest of the strong class will be seen with both eyes on the future.
Do not anticipate the 2020 class to have the same type of effect that the 2019 crew did. The 2020 class is gifted, of that, there is little doubt. The 2020 class is strong, with talent to assist the Raiders make a huge leap in 2020. The 2020 class will be important to the Raiders growth as Grudens rebuild hits Phase 2. Its OK if the 2020 class cant clear their mark.
The 2019 class set the bar in the stratosphere. Its OK if the 2020 class cant clear their mark. Couple of can.
