This article is part of our Team Previews series.
STATE OF THE FRANCHISE
For the second year in a row, the Raiders were forced to make a last-minute quarterback change prior to the start of the season, and under eerily similar circumstances. In 2013, it was offseason trade acquisition Matt Flynn who was unable to overcome an elbow issue and poor performance in the preseason and he ultimately lost out to Terrelle Pryor. Last season, it was Matt Schaub, acquired via trade from the Texans, succumbing to an elbow injury and preseason struggles, with second-round draft pick Derek Carr overtaking him for the team's Week 1 assignment.With a rookie at the helm and the Raiders receiving little from their many veteran free agent signings including Maurice Jones-Drew, LaMarr Woodley and Carlos Rogers, the team floundered to a 0-4 start. Oakland's early-season struggles followed a six-game losing streak to close out the 2013 campaign, all of which spelled the demise of Dennis Allen, who was relieved of his duties as head coach and replaced by Tony Sparano on an interim basis. Things were slow to turn around under Sparano, as the team went on to lose six more games before earning its first victory in Week 12, but the Raiders went on to win their final three home games to finish 3-13. While the season as a whole was an unfathomable step back from the previous two years, GM Reggie McKenzie didn't suffer the same fate as Allen. Instead, the focus turned to a new coaching
STATE OF THE FRANCHISE
For the second year in a row, the Raiders were forced to make a last-minute quarterback change prior to the start of the season, and under eerily similar circumstances. In 2013, it was offseason trade acquisition Matt Flynn who was unable to overcome an elbow issue and poor performance in the preseason and he ultimately lost out to Terrelle Pryor. Last season, it was Matt Schaub, acquired via trade from the Texans, succumbing to an elbow injury and preseason struggles, with second-round draft pick Derek Carr overtaking him for the team's Week 1 assignment.With a rookie at the helm and the Raiders receiving little from their many veteran free agent signings including Maurice Jones-Drew, LaMarr Woodley and Carlos Rogers, the team floundered to a 0-4 start. Oakland's early-season struggles followed a six-game losing streak to close out the 2013 campaign, all of which spelled the demise of Dennis Allen, who was relieved of his duties as head coach and replaced by Tony Sparano on an interim basis. Things were slow to turn around under Sparano, as the team went on to lose six more games before earning its first victory in Week 12, but the Raiders went on to win their final three home games to finish 3-13. While the season as a whole was an unfathomable step back from the previous two years, GM Reggie McKenzie didn't suffer the same fate as Allen. Instead, the focus turned to a new coaching hire, and, despite Sparano's respectable efforts, he was passed over in favor of former long-time Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio.
Del Rio brought in Bill Musgrave – a man he fired while with Jacksonville a decade ago – to turn around an offense that finished 31st in scoring last season. Musgrave, who served as the quarterbacks coach for the Eagles in 2014, intends to bring elements of Chip Kelly's up-tempo, spread offense to Oakland. In the process, he'll look to mold Carr into the franchise quarterback that he showed flashes of being last season, and get Latavius Murray and Trent Richardson going to spark a ground game that finished last in the league in 2014. Sustaining drives will be of utmost importance for the Raiders after the club had a whopping 71 three-and-outs last year.
Meanwhile, Seahawks linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. was hired to serve as defensive coordinator, replacing Jason Tarver. Oakland finished 30th in sacks (22), 30th in takeaways (14) and dead last in points allowed per game (28.2) last season, but Norton Jr. has a nice nucleus of talent to deploy in his base 4-3 alignment. To that end, Curtis Lofton and Nate Allen were signed to help ease the burden on Charles Woodson, Sio Moore and 2014 rookie standout Khalil Mack.
OFFSEASON MOVES
Key Acquisitions
Amari Cooper – WR, Alabama (ROUND 1, 4th overall)The 2014 Biletnikoff Award winner immediately becomes Derek Carr's No. 1 receiving option.
Michael Crabtree – WR, 49ers
Skips across the bay following a disappointing final season with San Francisco.
Curtis Lofton – LB, Saints
A model of durability and consistency, he now anchors the team's 4-3 defense.
Trent Richardson – RB, Colts
The former first-round pick looks to start anew with Oakland after disappointing stints with Cleveland and Indianapolis.
Nate Allen – S, Eagles
The strong safety signed a lucrative four-year deal after five seasons with Philadelphia.
Key Losses
James Jones – WR, FAThe Raiders upgraded at wideout and Jones was released after one forgettable season.
Miles Burris – LB, FA
Finished second on the team in tackles (109), but also missed a high percentage of stops.
Darren McFadden – RB, Cowboys
Finally played all 16 games but again failed to hit the 3.5 YPC mark.
TEAM NOTES
TARGET PRACTICEMichael Crabtree had to settle for a one-year, "prove it" deal with Oakland after struggling to a career-low 10.3 yards per reception in his final year with San Francisco, but he's expected to start alongside first-round pick Amari Cooper. With those two starting, Rod Streater and Andre Holmes are the top candidates for whatever targets remain. Streater, a good possession receiver, was limited to just three games last season by a foot injury, while Holmes battled inconsistency down the stretch after flashing his big-play ability early in the year. Kenbrell Thompkins, Brice Butler and Seth Roberts will be among those competing for the leftover snaps at wide receiver, with Mychal Rivera and rookie Clive Walford both seeing looks at tight end. Meanwhile, Roy Helu and fullback Marcel Reece figure to receive most of the targets out of the backfield.
MURRAY, PRESENT
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Latavius Murray excelled after taking over the Raiders' primary backfield role late in the year, leaving many to wonder what took the team so long to give him a chance. Granted, over a quarter of Murray's 424 rushing yards came on four carries, including one 90-yard scamper, in an injury-shortened outing against Kansas City. Still, Murray finished only 110 yards short of Darren McFadden's team-leading season total despite seeing 73 fewer carries. He also matched McFadden rushing touchdown total of two and ran for just two fewer first downs than McFadden did. Former No. 3 overall pick Trent Richardson was brought in as a sort of reclamation project, but Murray would appear to have a clear path to 15-plus carries per game, including goal-line work, in an improved offense.
HOW HIGH IS CARR'S CEILING?
The plan was for Derek Carr to sit and learn behind Matt Schaub all of last season, but the rookie was thrown into the deep end right away and managed to stay afloat despite a lackluster receiving corps and very little help from the run game. He started all 16 games and completed 348 passes on 599 attempts, falling just seven completions short of Sam Bradford's rookie record. Carr was sacked only 24 times and threw seven touchdowns against one interception in his final four games, although he didn't complete above 50 percent of his passes in any of the team's final three contests and also fumbled 10 times on the season. Entering his age-24 campaign, Carr still has a way to go in his development and may never be among the top tier of NFL quarterbacks, but with his arm talent and the team's additions at wide receiver, he has the potential to emerge as a viable fantasy QB2 in 2015.
VALUE METER
Rising: After overtaking Darren McFadden and flashing brilliance at the end of last season, Latavius Murray appears primed to open 2015 as the team's primary back.Declining:Rod Streater, who missed 13 games last season due to a foot injury, must now contend with newcomers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree..
Sleeper: Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave's play-calling has leaned more toward the run game in the past, but Amari Cooper has immense talent and a strong-armed quarterback throwing to him.
Supersleeper:Mychal Rivera seemed to develop a bit of a rapport with Derek Carr late last season, but Clive Walford could supplant him as the starter eventually and emerge as a top red-zone target.
IDP WATCH
Curtis Lofton – LBThe linebacker has started 112 straight games dating back to 2008.
Khalil Mack – LB /DE
Not DL eligible in most leagues, but his sack total could spike.
Charles Woodson – S
The veteran DB may see fewer tackle opportunities with Lofton in front of him.
