The Las Vegas Raiders changed the entire demeanor of their team this offseason. What are the biggest questions?
Is the back seven still a problem?
The Raiders made some attempts to improve their back seven this offseason, but you have to wonder if they will struggle against the pass, though. Devin White and Elandon Roberts are added, and both can move downhill, but Roberts is a bit slow, and White can get lost in coverage.
Jeremy Chinn is a safety who gets asked to play linebacker at times because of his coverage issues. Eric Stokes has been injured for most of the last two years, and Darian Porter is a project with high athletic traits. They can defend the run, but their pass defense may be the issue.
Can Jack Bech be an instant fantasy contributor?
Jack Bech is one of the big fantasy football winners of draft weekend. A new head coach and General Manager inherited a room with Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker as the only notable receivers. Bech has the ability to beat them as the number one target earner, and the staff is incentivized to make that happen. Does he step right into the number one role, and does Donte Thornton replace Tucker, or does the fourth-round rookie just serve as a fourth receiver who can be used to stretch the field?
Who will start at left guard?
With Kolton Miller, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Dylan Parham, and DJ Glaze, it looks like the Raiders have four starters along the line locked in. One spot they are missing is left guard. Jordan Meredith started last year but can be replaced. Las Vegas signed Alex Cappa and drafted Caleb Rogers in round three. The hope is that one of them, likely Rogers, becomes that starter.
How high should Ashon Jeanty get drafted in fantasy football?
Since 2015, six running backs have been drafted in the top ten. Ezekiel Elliott had the best season with 322 rushes and 1,631 yards. Five went over 1,000 yards, and three had more than 260 rushing attempts. He may not be as efficient as Elliott, but 260 rushing attempts seems very doable for a back who has most of the room to himself. That would have put him eighth in rushing attempts last year. When you add in pass catching, he could be in the top seven running backs in fantasy with ease.
Are the Raiders ready to make a jump?
The Raiders won four games last year, but their biggest offseason additions are at the two most important spots. Pete Carroll as head coach and the stability of Geno Smith compared to shuffling through three backups are going to make a huge difference. They are in a tough division, but this team could be a tough out week-to-week.
