Follow us:

The offense ranked ninth in efficiency last season and added speed in the form of first-round pick Henry Ruggs III. Hunter Renfrow showed promise as a rookie, Darren Waller looked like a dynamic play-maker, and the offensive line should be solid. In other words, Derek Carr is in a good spot. Defensively, the Raiders are much more talented than they were a year ago. This looks like a sneaky playoff team to me.

New city, same quarterback. Is that a good thing? Derek Carr has had his moments, but he has to prove to many he's the long-term guy. That includes Jon Gruden.

They're 11-21 during Gruden reboot. But despite offense's potential, defensive questions still suppress expectations for 2020 surge.

Is the defense re-tuned enough to stay competitive with the high-powered Chiefs?

Paul Gutierrez: The Raiders could have as many as seven new starters on the defensive side of the ball -- highlighted by defensive tackle Maliek Collins, linebackers Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski, rookie cornerback Damon Arnette and now-healthy safety Johnathan Abram -- compared to the starting lineup in the 2019 season finale. They look faster and more fierce, but so, too, do the Super Bowl champion Chiefs. Stay tuned.

So much for the Marcus Mariota hype train. The Raiders signed the former first-round pick to significant backup QB money this offseason, but The Athletic reported that Mariota was "[not] sharp at training camp and is no threat for the starting role." And then Mariota ended up on injured reserve. Whether you're a Derek Carr fan or not, you get the feeling they'll move the ball and score points with Josh Jacobs, Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow and first-round pick Henry Ruggs III in the mix. The loss of Tyrell Williams to a season-ending shoulder injury tests the depth of the wide receivers room. Perhaps an Antonio Brown reunion is in play?

(I'm kidding. C'mon.)