Last season, the Raiders were a team that showed a ton of promise with big wins against contes, though they did fall short of the postseason. After some additions, what is a reasonable expectation for Las Vegas in 2024? Welcome back to another edition of ‘The Super Bowl Race In The Perspective of Chase’, and today we will preview the Las Vegas Raiders 2024 season.
2023 Season
Going into the 2023 season, Las Vegas appeared to be in a much different direction than what they’re in now. They had been coming off of a down year, but were just two years removed from a ten-win and near postseason victory season. So they spiced things up. They let go of Derek Carr, and brought in former 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who despite some injury problems had helped lead San Francisco to three NFC Championship games in four seasons. So with the league’s leading rusher in Josh Jacobs and an all-world receiver in Davante Adams, expectations were high for the Raiders.
However, Jimmy G couldn’t find his groove, throwing for more interceptions than touchdowns in his six games started, sending Aidan O’Connell in to handle starting QB duties. And he was average. Jacobs then had a down year, Adams had a down year, and the defense wasn’t consistent enough around Maxx Crosby. So they showed some flashes, but couldn’t even finish with a winning record. However, this roster looks much different in 2024.
Offseason Additions and Losses
Las Vegas did some major retooling this offseason. The main move was letting go of Jacobs, who signed with the Green Bay Packers. They instead signed Alexander Mattison and hope backup Zamir White can take the next step in his development going into year three. Things also aren’t looking great for Adams, who may be heading into his final season with Las Vegas. The Raiders also decided to release Garoppolo, sign Pro Bowl QB Gardner Minshew and draft pass catching tight end Brock Bowers as a weapon for him. Bowers has high expectations going into 2024, after he was one of the FBS best tight ends. And the final main move was signing former Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins to a four year deal worth over $100 million. Wilkins will now join Crosby on the defensive line coming off of a nine sack and 23 QB hit season in 2023.
X-Factor: Zamir White
We mentioned him briefly, but White may be the thing that can elevate this team in 2024. He is going into his third year at running back, and compiled 451 yards and a touchdown on 104 carries last season. He also has potential as a pass catcher at running back, though he only got 19 targets last year. And that’s the thing. He did some good things last year, and now he will be able to get the ball more. Mattison really won’t be getting any carries when not at the goal line or in short-yardage situations. It’s White’s time to be that RB1. In fact, according to 4for4.com, there are 230 carries and 60 targets that are ‘up for grabs’ after their offseason moves. And the last four weeks last season showed how valuable he can be. As the RB1 those final four weeks, White led the NFL in carries, was third in yardage, sixth in yards after contact and fifth in broken tackles according to 4for4. Now in a full-time RB1 role, it’s White’s time to shine.
Reason for Concern: The Quarterback Controversy
It sounds weird. They signed a Pro Bowl quarterback and have a productive young signal caller to play behind him. However, that is very deceiving. Minshew may have been a ‘Pro Bowler’ last year, but he didn’t play at that caliber. Tyler Huntley was a Pro Bowl QB in 2022. It means nothing. This isn’t saying he’s a bad quarterback. He put up some good numbers last year. But he’s not very accurate, and hasn’t proved he can be a full-time starter. He will be providing no positives in the quarterback room that they haven’t had the past few seasons. And it won’t help them contend nor tank for a better draft pick. And now a young QB in O’Connell will have to sit behind and watch. Even if he does play though, there is no guarantee he is the long-term answer. There is just no positive value added to contend or build from the future in this quarterback room.
Reason for Promise: Pass Catching Department
While there is drama surrounding Adams and his future in Las Vegas, he is still one of the more talented and productive receivers in the NFL. Last season he had over 1100 yards and eight touchdowns. Those are good numbers, especially for a receiver who had a very inconsistent quarterback situation. But now he has some great pass catching talent around him. Jakobi Meyers is the WR2, and he’s been consistent and reliable for a few seasons now. But the main piece is Bowers. He totaled over 2500 yards and 26 touchdowns at Georgia as a tight end, and also is a runner in short yardage situations. He ran for five touchdowns and about 200 yards as again, a tight end, in his three years in college ball. He will be great. I am very excited to watch this group work this coming year.
Prediction
I don’t think many expect much from Las Vegas this coming season. They’re in a division where it will be hard to finish near Kansas City or Los Angeles, but will probably have a comfortable advantage over Denver. This is probably another 6-8 win team in 2024. And I think this time next year we’ll have a better understanding of where they’re at as a team and what their future will look like long-term.
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