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The Las Vegas Raiders are rebuilding. Which means the team brass is focused mostly on the long term. But they also have to think about the team they are fielding right now. The days of tanking are over and it's time to start trying to be competitive and stack wins.
Sure, some of the rookies will help with that. But primarily the instant upgrades and impact will be felt via the veteran additions. We ranked the top ten who figure to have the biggest immediate impact.
The former fourth round pick comes over from the 49ers. He is currently lining up at left guard with the first team and may very well keep that job going into the season. Is he an upgrade over previous starter Dylan Parham? That remains to be seen. There is some decent depth at the guard spot this camp, so Burford will have to earn his spot.
The veteran kicker is in line to be the team’s new primary kicker, taking the spot previously held by Daniel Carlson. Gay is a former Pro Bowl kicker, but that last time the 32-year-old hit more than 50% of his field goals from outside 50 yards was 2023.
Last season the Raiders didn’t even have a full back on the roster. So, having one would be a new wrinkle to the offense and could help open up some holes for Ashton Jeanty.
If Paye can return to his form prior to last season, he can add some much-needed pass rush across from Maxx Crosby.
Nailor is the only somewhat proven talent the Raiders added this offseason. He will be asked to step up and be at least the Raiders number two wide receiver after being the number three in Minnesota.
After the Raiders asked Jeremy Chinn to pull double duty last season, Johnson comes in to give them a true nickel cornerback.
When healthy, Dean is one of the better middle linebackers in the league. But staying healthy has been no small task for him. The Raiders don’t currently have much in the way of depth at the position, so they will need him to stay on the field.
The former first round pick is coming off his best season with career highs in tackles (128) and QB hits (seven). He has also been pretty consistent in his four NFL seasons, averaging nearly 120 tackles per season and never dipping below triple digits. He and Dean figure to be considerable upgrades over last year’s duo.
The biggest free agent investment for the Raiders this offseason, and in some ways the biggest investment for any team, if you factor in position value. The Raiders were serious about getting a proven starting center to help rookie Fernando Mendoza with his development and they got one.
Cousins is expected to start right away while holding a spot for Mendoza. His impact is the most immediate because of the position he plays, plus the fact that he is the most proven QB the Raiders have had in a very long time. Granted, there aren’t grand hopes for what the 37-year-old can accomplish with the team – those are reserved for Mendoza – but Cousins will keep the spot warm and keep the team as competitive as possible until that hand off can take place.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders top newcomers ranked by immediate impact
Continue reading...
Sure, some of the rookies will help with that. But primarily the instant upgrades and impact will be felt via the veteran additions. We ranked the top ten who figure to have the biggest immediate impact.
10. G Spencer Burford
The former fourth round pick comes over from the 49ers. He is currently lining up at left guard with the first team and may very well keep that job going into the season. Is he an upgrade over previous starter Dylan Parham? That remains to be seen. There is some decent depth at the guard spot this camp, so Burford will have to earn his spot.
9. K Matt Gay
The veteran kicker is in line to be the team’s new primary kicker, taking the spot previously held by Daniel Carlson. Gay is a former Pro Bowl kicker, but that last time the 32-year-old hit more than 50% of his field goals from outside 50 yards was 2023.
8. FB Connor Heyward
Last season the Raiders didn’t even have a full back on the roster. So, having one would be a new wrinkle to the offense and could help open up some holes for Ashton Jeanty.
7. DE Kwity Paye
If Paye can return to his form prior to last season, he can add some much-needed pass rush across from Maxx Crosby.
6. WR Jalen Nailor
Nailor is the only somewhat proven talent the Raiders added this offseason. He will be asked to step up and be at least the Raiders number two wide receiver after being the number three in Minnesota.
5. CB Taron Johnson
After the Raiders asked Jeremy Chinn to pull double duty last season, Johnson comes in to give them a true nickel cornerback.
4. LB Nakobe Dean
When healthy, Dean is one of the better middle linebackers in the league. But staying healthy has been no small task for him. The Raiders don’t currently have much in the way of depth at the position, so they will need him to stay on the field.
3. LB Quay Walker
The former first round pick is coming off his best season with career highs in tackles (128) and QB hits (seven). He has also been pretty consistent in his four NFL seasons, averaging nearly 120 tackles per season and never dipping below triple digits. He and Dean figure to be considerable upgrades over last year’s duo.
2. C Tyler Linderbaum
The biggest free agent investment for the Raiders this offseason, and in some ways the biggest investment for any team, if you factor in position value. The Raiders were serious about getting a proven starting center to help rookie Fernando Mendoza with his development and they got one.
1. QB Kirk Cousins
Cousins is expected to start right away while holding a spot for Mendoza. His impact is the most immediate because of the position he plays, plus the fact that he is the most proven QB the Raiders have had in a very long time. Granted, there aren’t grand hopes for what the 37-year-old can accomplish with the team – those are reserved for Mendoza – but Cousins will keep the spot warm and keep the team as competitive as possible until that hand off can take place.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders top newcomers ranked by immediate impact
Continue reading...
