A year ago through seven games, the Raiders were 3-4 but their rookie draft class was creating a buzz.
Josh Jacobs was among the NFLs top rushers, Clelin Ferrell was starting and although Johnathan Abram was lost to a shoulder injury in the opener, mid-round picks such as wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, defensive end Maxx Crosby and tight end Foster Moreau were earning playing time and turning heads.
That doesnt include Alec Ingold, an undrafted fullback who earned national acclaim for a neat cutblock of Khalil Mack when the Raiders upset the Chicago Bears in London. Cornerback Trayvon Mullen, a second-round pick, would eventually become a starter. All are foundation pieces for the future.
For an encore, general manager Mike Mayock wound up with seven picks out of the first 139 players in 2020, all in Rounds 1 through 4. And as Mayock said in a pre-draft conference call, To me, three picks in the third is just like stealing. If were doing our jobs the right way, hopefully thats three more starters.
For the record, the Raiders three third-round picks were running back Lynn Bowden Jr. of Kentucky, wide receiver Bryan Edwards of South Carolina and linebacker Tanner Muse of Clemson. Bowden was so unimpressive he was shipped to Miami at a loss. Edwards opened as a starter but was hurt in the third game. Muse is done for the year after toe surgery following a shaky training camp.
The Class of 2021 has yet to ascend, and it mostly has to do with injury.
We had a virtual draft, virtual offseason. Virtual is for the birds, Raiders coach Jon Gruden said Wednesday in a video conference. I think it doesnt help these young guys get ready. We like our young guys. Its just the beginning for them. I think theres reasons why maybe theyre still waiting to explode on to the scene. But Im very confident in them.
In particular, first-round draft picks Henry Ruggs III and Damon Arnette, along with Edwards, could be key contributors over the second half after returning to health.
Quarterback Derek Carr is counting on it.
I just feel bad for a lot of these guys because theyve been hurt, Carr said. You hope we can get these guys healthy. If we want to make the playoffs, try to win the division, try to win a Super Bowl, were going to need every bit of every person. We need them now.
How the rookie class is faring with the midway point of the season arriving Sunday on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers:
Selected: First round, wide receiver, No. 12 overall (Alabama)
Height/weight: 5-11, 188
Production: Has 10 receptions for 221 yards and a touchdown. Had two catches for 118 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs, looking like the Tyreek Hill clone Gruden was seeking. Missed two games with knee and hamstring issues. Appears to be healthy. Four of the six receivers drafted behind Ruggs in the first round (Jerry Jeudy of Denver, CeeDee Lamb of Dallas, Justin Jefferson of Minnesota and Brandon Aiyuk of the 49ers) have more receptions and yards. With seven of nine remaining games in indoor stadiums, Ruggs needs to be a major factor with his speed.
Mayock at draft: When youre in the division were in and you look at Kansas City and you look at what they have on offense and what their explosion looks like, we needed to get faster and we think that his addition opens up our entire offense. He can run the deep routes. He also gets the manufactured touches, the bubble screens, the jet sweeps. I think if you force defenses to roll coverage, it opens up our run game.
Selected: First round, cornerback, No. 19 overall (Ohio State)
Height/weight: 6-foot, 195 pounds
Production: Considered a reach by most draft pundits, Arnette spent all training camp with a cast on his right thumb, played three games that way (he also played with a cast in college) before finally aggravating it and needing surgery. Hes scheduled to practice Thursday. Immediately seized a starters role upon arrival. Quarterbacks were 9 of 11 for 110 yards in his direction before the injury. The Raiders think his boisterous edge will mesh nicely with the energetic Abram for years to come.
Mayock at draft: Did I think we could have moved down maybe and still got him? Maybe, but we didnt want to lose him. What distinguishes him is No. 1, he can run. No. 2, hes tough as nails. He played most of the season with a cast on his arm. He can play inside, he can play outside, he can play left, he can play right. We feel like this is one of the most competitive football players in the entire draft.
Selected: Third round, running back, No. 80 (Kentucky)
Height/weight: 5-11, 204
Production: The Raiders cut their losses with what they quickly identified, right or wrong, as a mistake. Bowden, their third overall pick went to Miami along with a sixth-round pick to get a fourth-round pick in 2021 in return. An option quarterback in college, Bowden so far as been a mystery to the Dolphins as well. He has four carries for nine yards and one reception for minus-1 yard in four games. A big swing and a miss.
Mayock at draft: We think hes one of the most athletic, tougher guys in this years draft. Were going to train him to be running back, if hes able to do that job, well be able do some other things with him. Move him around, let him catch the football. Hes a really good punt returner. That will be his role originally. Bryan Edwards (89) injured his ankle after being tackled following a reception against New England.Getty Images
Selected: Third round, wide receiver, No. 81 (South Carolina)
Height/weight: 6-3, 212
Production: Edwards started three games and had five catches for 99 yards before injuring an ankle against New England. He had moments where he looked like the physical 50-50 ball outside receiver who would complement Ruggs. Nearing a return, it will be Edwards challenge to earn the trust of Carr in the way veteran Nelson Agholor has.
Mayock at draft: We see Edwards an outstanding X, meaning hes a big physical tough fast wide receiver on the opposite side. We think he can win one-on-one matchups. We loved his production in the SEC. We wanted to get more dynamic on offense, and thats what were trying to do here.
Selected: Third round, linebacker, No. 100 (Clemson
Height/weight: 6-2, 227
Production: Projected as a linebacker after playing a hybrid safety at Clemson, Muse, according to practice onlookers, looked lost early on and nowhere near ready to be a factor as a linebacker. A toe injury placed Muse on injured reserve. It appeared thats where he was going to stay in a redshirt season of sorts. Muse has now reportedly had toe surgery, will look to catch up in whatever training camp entails in 2021 and prove he was not a reach.
Mayock at draft: He blew a lot of people away when at 227 pounds he ran 4.39. The role for him day one is to be a core special teams player. While hes getting 20, 25 snaps a game at special teams hes got to learn MIKE and WILL linebacker. Hes predominately a safety but hes going to be a linebacker for us. We think hes one of the smartest and most intuitive players in the draft.
Selected: Fourth round, guard, No. 109 (Clemson)
Height/weight: 6-4, 321
Production: Coached hard by Gruden and line coach Tom Cable, Simpson responded positively at left guard when Richie Incognito left in Week 2 with an Achilles injury. Simpson drew praise for his play in a win over New Orleans and expressed gratitude for being challenged by Gruden. Simpson wasnt as good in Week 3 against New England and went back to a reserve role after that when Sam Young was able to play at right tackle, freeing Denzelle Good to return to left guard.
Mayock at draft: He was a guy that we had on our board for yesterday, depending on how the board fell. We would have taken him in the third round. We kind of felt like he was going to go quickly.
Selected: Fourth round, cornerback, No. 139 (Louisiana Tech)
Height/weight: 5-8, 187
Production: Robertson blew a coverage for a touchdown on his first snap against Buffalo and his most playing time came with 14 snaps against Kansas City. Played just two snaps against Cleveland, but the coaching staff likes him, and depending, on what happens with Lamarcus Joyner after this year, Robertson could step in as the nickel corner. May have the best ball skills of any of the corners.
Mayock at draft: I talked to his defensive coordinator, and he jumped on the table for him as a person and player. He said, youre not going to like his length outside but youre going to love his speed, toughness and competitiveness. Hes got the physical traits and toughness that you would love as a nickel in the NFL.
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Inside the Raiders: Rookies must step up for playoff run after they heal up - The Mercury News
