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QB RB WR TE PK | All Non-IDP | DT DE DL ILB OLB LB CB S DB | Footballguys View | All the news | FBG News Blogger Archive
Raiders | Derek Carr primed for best season? Mon Aug 10, 10:23 PM
Las Vegas Raiders QB Derek Carr is poised to have the best season of his career as he'll be playing with the best supporting cast of his career, including RB Josh Jacobs, TE Darren Waller and rookie WR Henry Ruggs III, in the opinion of NFl.com analyst Adam Rank.
| Footballguys view: Carr may be poised to do that but first he must win the starting job. The Raiders went out and added QB Marcus Mariota to the roster this offsason. Carr and Mariota will compete for the starting job in training camp. Both will have those great weapons around to throw to, although Carr is likely the frontrunner due to his experience with the team as the starter. |
Derek Carr player page
Raiders | Hunter Renfrow losing primary slot duties? Mon Aug 10, 02:22 PM
Adding more context to a previous report, Las Vegas Raiders WR Henry Ruggs III is expected to begin his pro career as the primary slot receiver ahead of Hunter Renfrow, according to comments made by offensive coordinator Greg Olson.'We'll start with Ruggs III in the slot and do some things with Ruggs. But those guys (Ruggs and Bryan Edwards) are very multiple in what they can do and that's the goal is to be able to move all of them around to different spots; the one, two or three position at the wide receiver,' Olson said recently.
| Footballguys view: Ruggs has a ton of speed and was the team's first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He can operate from the slot or on the outside. The team might want to have him begin in the slot where he can get off the line cleanly and quickly. While Ruggs is playing the slot, it does take Renfrow out of that spot. As a rookie in 2019, Renfrow was targeted 71 times, catching 49 passes for 605 yards and four touchdowns. |
Hunter Renfrow player page
Raiders | Ade Aruna back with Raiders Sat Aug 8, 05:11 PM
Free-agent DE Ade Aruna (Raiders) signed with the Las Vegas Raiders Saturday, Aug. 8. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to story Raiders | Bryce Hager joins Vegas Fri Aug 7, 05:11 PM
Free-agent LB Bryce Hager (Rams) signed with the Las Vegas Raiders Friday, Aug. 7. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to story Raiders | Rod Smith on COVID list Thu Aug 6, 05:24 PM
Las Vegas Raiders RB Rod Smith was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, Aug. 6.
Link to storyRod Smith player page
Raiders | Maxx Crosby on COVID list Thu Aug 6, 04:39 PM
Las Vegas Raiders DE Maxx Crosby was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, Aug. 6.
Link to story Raiders | Henry Ruggs III to start in slot Thu Aug 6, 09:54 AM
Las Vegas Raiders WR Henry Ruggs III will start in the slot, according to offensive coordinator Greg Olson. Ruggs played 218 snaps there over the last two seasons in college, according to Pro Football Focus.
| Footballguys view: Ruggs can use that trademark speed to get by defenders down the seam. Working from the slot will allow the rookie first-round pick to get a clean release and get into his routes faster. Ruggs played 97 (out of 527) snaps from the slot last year for Alabama, catching 10 passes for 166 yards from that position. Even though the plan may be for Ruggs to start in the slot, he certainly has the ability to be moved all around the formation. Ruggs should be the no.1 receiver the Raiders have been looking for. |
Raiders | Jeremy Hill let go Wed Aug 5, 03:08 PM
Las Vegas Raiders RB Jeremy Hill was released Wednesday, Aug. 5.
| Footballguys view: Well that didn't last long. Hill has been out of the league for two years but somehow found a deal with the Raiders last week. Now, he's back on the open market and will struggle to find another deal. |
Jeremy Hill player page
Raiders | Ukeme Eligwe officially opts out Tue Aug 4, 06:16 PM
Updating a previous story, Las Vegas Raiders LB Ukeme Eligwe was placed on the Reserve/Opt-Out list Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Link to story Raiders | Devontae Booker rejoins roster Tue Aug 4, 06:00 PM
Las Vegas Raiders RB Devontae Booker was activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Aug. 4.
| Footballguys view: Booker was added in free agency earlier this year. He's not a productive runner but he has looked good as a receiving back. Booker is competing to establish a pecking order behind starter Josh Jacobs. |
Devontae Booker player page
Raiders | P.J. Hall waived Tue Aug 4, 05:38 PM
Updating a previous story, Las Vegas Raiders DT P.J. Hall was released after failing his physical with the Minnesota Vikings and the trade was nullified.
Link to storyP.J. Hall player page
Raiders | Ukeme Eligwe opts out Tue Aug 4, 05:15 PM
Las Vegas Raiders LB Ukeme Eligwe opted out of the 2020 season Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Link to story Raiders | P.J. Hall trade called off Tue Aug 4, 04:55 PM
Oakland Raiders DT P.J. Hall (undisclosed) failed his physical with the Minnesota Vikings Tuesday, Aug. 4, and reverts back to the Raiders. They intend to cut him.
Link to storyP.J. Hall player page
Raiders | Lynn Bowden taking notes at QB, RB Tue Aug 4, 02:26 PM
Las Vegas Raiders RB Lynn Bowden has reportedly spent some time learning the quarterback position in addition to spending the bulk of his time in the running back room, according to comments made by offensive coordinator Greg Olson.
| Footballguys view: Bowden was one of the most versatile players in the 2020 NFL draft. He can play quarterback, running back or wide receiver. He's going to play running back for the Raiders but his best role, especially as a rookie, is as a receiving option out of the backfield (or perhaps from the slot). |
Raiders | Vegas waives seven players Mon Aug 3, 06:08 PM
Las Vegas Raiders CB Jordan Brown, TE Paul Butler, PK Dominik Eberle, C Erik Magnuson, LS Liam McCullough and WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams were waived Monday, Aug. 3. The team also waived LB Marquel Lee with a failed physical designation.
Link to storyMarquel Lee player page
Anthony Ratliff-Williams player page
Raiders | P.J. Hall dealt to Minnesota Mon Aug 3, 02:58 PM
Updating a previous report, Las Vegas Raiders DT P.J. Hall was traded to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, Aug. 3, in exchange for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2021, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It had been previously reported the Raiders intended to release Hall on Monday.
Link to storyP.J. Hall player page
Raiders | P.J. Hall released Mon Aug 3, 09:25 AM
Las Vegas Raiders DT P.J. Hall will be released Monday, Aug. 3, two years after selecting him in the second round of the NFL draft.
| Footballguys view: Hall was a dominant player in college at the FCS level during his time at Sam Houston State. He was trending in the right direction for the Raiders, starting 12 games in 2019 but the team decided to make a change. They signed defensive tackle Maliek Collins this offseason, a move that likely caused this transaction. Hall should get a chance with a new team in the near future. |
P.J. Hall player page
Raiders | Jeremy Hill joins Raiders Sun Aug 2, 02:36 PM
Free-agent RB Jeremy Hill (Patriots) signed with the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday, Aug. 2. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
| Footballguys view: It's officially official now. Hill has not seen an NFL field for almost two years and is not a lock for the 53-man roster. He's a power back with little nuance to his running style. Hill can also be a capable pass-catcher out of the backfield. He's competing for a reserve spot behind starter Josh Jacobs. |
Jeremy Hill player page
Raiders | Jeremy Hill expected to join LV Fri Jul 31, 07:29 PM
Updating a previous report, free-agent RB Jeremy Hill (Patriots) is expected to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders as long as he passes his physical and tests negative for COVID-19, according to a source.
| Footballguys view: Hill hasn't been on the field for a regular season game since 2018. He's a classic power back who gives the team more veteran depth. Josh Jacobs is the starter and we'll see guys like Jalen Richard, rookie Lynn Bowden and veteran Devontae Booker compete for snaps (along with Hill) and a pass-catching role. |
Jeremy Hill player page
Raiders | Siaosi Mariner let go Fri Jul 31, 05:27 PM
Las Vegas Raiders WR Siaosi Mariner was waived Friday, July 31.
Link to story Raiders | Vegas meets with Jeremy Hill Fri Jul 31, 05:10 PM
Free-agent RB Jeremy Hill (Patriots) recently met with the Las Vegas Raiders, according to a source.
| Footballguys view: Hill hasn't been on the field for a regular season game since 2018. He's a classic power back who gives the team more veteran depth. Josh Jacobs is the starter and we'll see guys like Jalen Richard, rookie Lynn Bowden and veteran Devontae Booker compete for snaps (along with Hill) and a pass-catching role. |
Jeremy Hill player page
Raiders | Devontae Booker hits COVID list Thu Jul 30, 06:04 PM
Updating a previous story, Las Vegas Raiders RB Devontae Booker was placed on the COVID-19 list Thursday, July 30.
| Footballguys view: Booker is a good receiving back but has barely seen the field recently in his pro career. When cleared to practice, Booker is trying to earn a spot on the Raiders as a reserve behind starter Josh Jacobs. |
Devontae Booker player page
Raiders | Henry Ruggs fully recovered Thu Jul 30, 03:37 PM
Las Vegas Raiders WR Henry Ruggs III (thigh) said he has fully recovered from the thigh injury he suffered during the offseason.
| Footballguys view: Ruggs is going to be the no.1 receiver for the Raiders this year, at least that's the plan. He's got speed, speed and more speed and should play like the Raiders version of Tyreek Hill. Now, Ruggs is a rookie and will struggle at times so Fantasy GMs should look at him as a flex play with upside in 2020. His current ADP is WR44 (10.06) in 12-team PPR leagues. |
Raiders | Damon Arnette may start as rookie Thu Jul 30, 02:47 PM
Las Vegas Raiders CB Damon Arnette could be one of the starting cornerbacks this season but will have to earn the job during training camp, according to head coach Jon Gruden.
Link to story Raiders | Bryan Edwards cleared Tue Jul 28, 09:05 PM
Las Vegas Raiders WR Bryan Edwards (foot) has recovered fully from the broken bone in his foot that he suffered while working out for the NFL Scouting Combine and is 'ready to go,' according to Adam Caplan of Sirius XM NFL Radio.
| Footballguys view: Edwards can be a big part of the Raiders passing game in the future. This season, the rookie will try to work his way into the mix behind Henry Ruggs III, Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow. |
Raiders | Marquel Lee hits PUP list Tue Jul 28, 07:14 PM
Las Vegas Raiders LB Marquel Lee (undisclosed) was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list Tuesday, July 28.
Link to storyMarquel Lee player page
Raiders | Illness declared for Siaosi Mariner Tue Jul 28, 06:58 PM
Las Vegas Raiders WR Siaosi Mariner declared a Non-Football Illness Tuesday, July 28.
Link to story Raiders | Vegas claims Jordan Roos Mon Jul 27, 06:53 PM
Former Seattle Seahawks OG Jordan Roos was claimed off waivers by the Las Vegas Raiders Monday, July 27.
Link to story Raiders | Ade Aruna waived Mon Jul 27, 06:41 PM
Las Vegas Raiders DE Ade Aruna (undisclosed) was waived Monday, July 27, with a non-football injury designation.
Link to story Raiders | John Simpson under contract Sat Jul 25, 04:18 PM
Las Vegas Raiders fourth-round draft choice OG John Simpson signed a four-year contract with the Raiders Saturday, July 25. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to story Raiders | Vegas signs Bryan Edwards Sat Jul 25, 04:15 PM
Las Vegas Raiders third-round draft choice WR Bryan Edwards signed a four-year contract with the Raiders Saturday, July 25. Financial terms were not disclosed.
| Footballguys view: Edwards is a fine size/speed prospect who showed a nose for the end zone during his college career at South Carolina. He uses his frame well to box out smaller defenders and is generally considered a smooth (but not sudden) athlete with the ball in his hands. The Raiders will use Edwards as a reserve receiver as a rookie, but the future could be bright for him if his game gets polished in a year or two. |
Raiders | Lynn Bowden signs rookie deal Sat Jul 25, 04:11 PM
Las Vegas Raiders third-round draft choice RB Lynn Bowden signed a four-year contract with the Raiders Saturday, July 25. Financial terms were not disclosed.
| Footballguys view: Bowden is one of the most versatile players in the 2020 NFL draft. He was a wide receiver/running back/quarterback in college at Kentucky and can play a variety of roles for the Raiders. Bowden is not polished as a route runner but is dangerous with the rock in his hands. He could get a few carries behind Josh Jacobs here and there. |
Raiders | Amik Robertson signs rookie deal Sat Jul 25, 02:49 PM
Las Vegas Raiders CB Amik Robertson on Saturday, July 25, signed his four-year rookie contract. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately available.
| Footballguys view: Robertson is a smaller corner, and should be a nickel corner in the NFL. He has a competitive spirit on the field and has a nose for the ball as evidenced by his whopping 21 pass breakups last year for Louisiana Tech. Robertson has a ballhawk's mindset and should work onto the field as a sub-package player in his rookie season. |
Raiders | Damon Arnette signs contract Sat Jul 25, 02:04 PM
Las Vegas Raiders CB Damon Arnette on Saturday, July 25, signed his four-year rookie contract worth $13.4 million. The deal includes a signing bonus of $7.3 million.
Link to story Raiders | Tanner Muse signs rookie deal Sat Jul 25, 01:29 PM
Las Vegas Raiders LB Tanner Muse on Saturday, July 25, signed his four-year rookie contract worth $4,322,185, including a $832,292 signing bonus, according to a source.
Link to story Raiders | Henry Ruggs agrees to rookie deal Tue Jul 21, 12:21 PM
Las Vegas Raiders WR Henry Ruggs III agreed to terms on his four-year rookie deal Tuesday, July 21. The contract is slotted, per the NFL's rules, and it is fully guaranteed for $16.67 million. Per NFL policy for first-round draft choices, the deal includes a team option for a fifth year.
| Footballguys view: Ruggs is one of the fastest players to come into the league in NFL history. He can take short passes and turn them into long gains with his speed where he can outrun angles. In addition, Ruggs can get by defenders in the blink of an eye and tracks the ball well over his shoulder. He should be the no.1 receiver for the Raiders in 2020. Ruggs has a current ADP of WR45 (10.07) in 12-team PPR leagues. |
Raiders | Receivers did a lot of work for Derek Carr Sun Jul 19, 10:01 PM
Las Vegas Raiders QB Derek Carr threw for a career-high 4,054 yards in 2019. Of that total, 53.9 percent came after the catch - the second-highest percentage in the league - per Pro Football Focus. Indianapolis Colts QB Jacoby Brissett finished third at 51.3 percent, while Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was fourth at 50.9.
| Footballguys view: Carr isn't known as a deep passer and this data backs that up. While it might reflect poorly on Henry Ruggs as a deep threat, it can enhance his ability to break long plays on short passes with quick, accurate ball distribution. |
Aaron Rodgers player page
Derek Carr player page
Jacoby Brissett player page
Raiders | P.J. Hall may be on bubble Sun Jul 19, 01:36 PM
Las Vegas Raiders DT P.J. Hall may be on the roster bubble during training camp because the team signed DTs Maliek Collins and Daniel Ross this offseason.
| Footballguys view: Hall was a small school second round pick in 2018 but hasn't blossomed like the team hoped he would. Collins might be one of the leaders of the defensive tackle group in snaps and become relevant in IDP leagues that require the position in starting lineups. |
P.J. Hall player page
Raiders | Derek Carr among most accurate Fri Jul 10, 02:22 PM
Las Vegas Raiders QB Derek Carr ranked second among quarterbacks in 2019 with a 64 percent accurate pass rate, according to Pro Football Focus data.
| Footballguys view: Carr is accurate and usually safe with the ball, but with the addition of speedster Henry Ruggs at the #12 pick this year, he needs to be more aggressive throwing downfield. Marcus Mariota got an incentive-laden contract that shows the Raiders see him as a potential starter and Jon Gruden has a history of being fickle with his quarterbacks, so the pressure is on Carr to hold off Mariota this season. |
Derek Carr player page
Raiders | Chad Johnson to work out for LV? Wed Jul 8, 10:27 AM
Free-agent WR Chad Johnson (Patriots) tweeted that he was preparing for a workout with the Las Vegas Raiders. A Raiders spokesman said he wasn't aware of any scheduled workouts with Johnson, who last played in the NFL in the 2011 season with the New England Patriots.
| Footballguys view: Johnson is 42-years old and his best days as a wide receiver are far behind him. However, he was set to tryout with the XFL back in January for a kicker position. He's dabbled with kicking before in his football career, never kicking a field goal in the regular season but booting an extra point for the Bengals back in 2009 preseason. Who knows if Johnson is going to try out as a receiver or kicker or if this is just a social networking post where nothing comes to fruition. |
Chad Johnson player page
Raiders | Vegas makes offer to Jadeveon Clowney Mon Jul 6, 05:00 PM
Free-agent DE Jadeveon Clowney (Seahawks) has received a contract offer from the Las Vegas Raiders, but the Raiders' offer is not as good as other offers he has received, according to sources.
| Footballguys view: Clowney believes that he will be signed before the start of training camp in a few weeks. The Browns seem to have the most interest and may have the highest offer. The Seahawks have interest as well as they could keep Clowney around for another season and get better play out of him as he would be healthy (unlike last year). The Raiders are a 'distant third' according to reports. |
Jadeveon Clowney player page
Raiders | Derek Carr embraced short throws in 2019 Sun Jul 5, 05:04 PM
Las Vegas Raiders QB Derek Carr's average depth of completion of 5.2 yards in 2019 was the lowest by any regular starting quarterback in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.
| Footballguys view: Carr is definitely in danger of being replaced by Marcus Mariota at some point this season, although Mariota wouldn't be any better for the pass offense. Carr's average depth of completion might have been affected by a weak wide receiver corps that added Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards in the draft and will get a healthier Tyrell Williams after he rested his foot injuries this offseason. |
Derek Carr player page
Raiders | Marquel Lee may be in line to start Sat Jun 27, 07:26 PM
Las Vegas Raiders LB Marquel Lee may be the leading candidate for the strongside linebacker job at this point.
Link to storyMarquel Lee player page
Raiders | Jalen Richard the third-down back? Wed Jun 24, 11:07 PM
Las Vegas Raiders RB Jalen Richard is expected to serve as a 'pass-catching threat' out of the backfield in 2020, according to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com.
| Footballguys view: No surprise here. Josh Jacobs is the lead back and he should get a heavy workload in 2020 as the centerpiece of the Raiders offense. When he needs a breather or the team is in an obvious passing situations then Richard could see the field. In PPR leagues, Richard is more of a RB5 or 'what the heck' flex on a weekly basis. |
Jalen Richard player page
Raiders | Darren Waller ready to roll Wed Jun 24, 10:12 PM
Las Vegas Raiders TE Darren Waller said he believes offseason workouts with QB Derek Carr and other teammates will have the offense ready ready to go to start the 2020 season. 'I feel like that can pay dividends for us in the season, knowing that we can go into any kind of environment,' Waller said.
| Footballguys view: Waller exploded onto the scene last year, finishing no.2 in the league for receiving yards by a tight end only behind Travis Kelce. This year, the team will have veteran Jason Witten in the rotation at the position as well. We'll see what kind of impact that has on the numbers Waller can bring to the field. |
Darren Waller player page
Raiders | Nick O'Leary recovering from heart surgery Tue Jun 23, 03:29 PM
Las Vegas Raiders TE Nick O'Leary (heart) underwent two procedures last month after being diagnosed with 100 percent blockage on the right side of his heart. He is expected to make a full recovery and hopes to return to play in the 2021 season. 'I feel good,' O'Leary said. 'I feel better than I did before. I've got to be on blood thinners for six months to a year. That's really the only reason now why I can't play football. If I (got cut), they said that would be the biggest problem, wouldn't be able to stop the bleeding.'
| Footballguys view: The Raiders put him on the reserve/non-football injury list and he said they told him they will "leave the door open" for him next year. O'Leary had pain in his left arm that moved to his chest while working out and playing pickleball and doctors told him it was a heart attack. Make sure to have any symptoms like the ones he had checked out, as O'Leary is 27 and obviously physically fit. If it can happen to him, it can happen to any of us. |
Nick O'Leary player page
Raiders | P.J. Hall could be on block Sun Jun 21, 02:26 PM
Las Vegas Raiders DT P.J. Hall could be placed on the trade block during training camp depending on any trade offer they receive, in the opinion of RaidersWire's Marcus Mosher.
Link to storyP.J. Hall player page
Raiders | Maliek Collins expected to start Sun Jun 21, 02:24 PM
Las Vegas Raiders DT Maliek Collins is expected to be one of the starting defensive tackles this upcoming season.
| Footballguys view: Collins showed potential as a quick off of the snap penetrator with the Cowboys and could provide much needed interior pass rush help. He should be monitored in IDP leagues that require a defensive tackle starter. |
Maliek Collins player page
Raiders | Derek Carr had his share of open passing lanes Thu Jun 18, 09:17 PM
Las Vegas Raiders QB Derek Carr attempted 108 passes with at least eight defenders in the box in 2019 - the fourth-highest total in the league - according to Pro Football Focus.
| Footballguys view: Defenses who go up against the Raiders are trying to stop or at least slow down Josh Jacobs. That should be the case once again in 2020. Keep this in mind when considering WR Henry Ruggs for your fantasy team. That elite-level speed and one-on-one coverage could mean good things for the rookie wideout. |
Derek Carr player page
Raiders | Mark Davis supports adding Colin Kaepernick Thu Jun 18, 02:47 PM
Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis said Wednesday, June 17, he embraces the idea of the team signing free-agent QB Colin Kaepernick (49ers). 'Since 2017, I've told the coaches and general managers that if they want to hire Colin Kaepernick, they have my blessing,' Davis told ESPN.
| Footballguys view: The Raiders have Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota in the mix to compete for the starting job this year. We're hearing more interest about Kaepernick around the league but no workouts have been scheduled yet. Stay tuned. |
Colin Kaepernick player page
