Oakland Raiders - 2019 NFL Season Preview & Predictions

Year two of the Jon Gruden era with the Oakland Raiders is set to get underway and not much more is expected than the four wins from a season ago. Starting QB Derek Carr improved in his first year under Gruden’s tutelage, but he is not the long term solution for the franchise. The Raiders made a big splash by trading for disgruntled WR Antonio Brown, who has caught 100 or more passes in each of the last four seasons.

Oakland would love to be more effective in the running game and the team went out selected Alabama RB Josh Jacobs with the 24th pick of the NFL Draft. Jacobs will be backed up by Isaiah Crowell and will run behind what should be a more than capable offensive line.

For the Raiders to make a marked improvement in 2019, they must improve on a scoring defense that surrendered 29 points per game. Oakland inexcusably traded away Khalil Mack to Chicago prior to last season and ended up with a woeful 13 team sacks. DT Clelin Ferrell was selected with the fourth pick of the NFL Draft and will help a rush defense that was gashed for 140 yards on average.

Oakland has made a significant upgrade to the secondary by signing S LaMarcus Joyner away from the Rams. The Raiders have two talented young cornerbacks in rookie Trayvon Mullen and second-year pro Gareon Conley.