• Head Coach: Pete Carroll (first season)
• PFF projected win total: 7.3
• 2024 Record: 4-13 (fourth in AFC West)

Biggest Strength: Offensive Improvement

The Raiders ranked 31st in PFF passing grade and 32nd in PFF rushing grade last season. They made an effort this offseason to address that by acquiring quarterback Geno Smith and drafting running back Ashton Jeanty. Smith recorded an excellent 85.6 PFF passing grade during his three seasons as Seattle’s starter, eighth best in the NFL. Jeanty, meanwhile, earned a perfect 99.9 PFF rushing grade during his three seasons at Boise State.

Biggest Weakness: Pass Defense

Las Vegas’ 32.0 team PFF coverage grade last season was tied for the lowest earned by any franchise in the past four seasons. None of their projected veteran starters at cornerback, safety or linebacker earned a 65.0 PFF coverage grade last season. The Raiders’ pass rush doesn’t look great, either, with Maxx Crosby coming off a down season, Malcolm Koonce returning from a knee injury that kept him out of last season and the interior unit lacking a premier threat.

Quarterback Spotlight: Geno Smith

• 2024 PFF Grade: 83.1
• Key Stat: 99.9 deep PFF passing grade since 2022 (best in NFL)

Smith’s surface-level 2024 stats don’t jump off the page, but he was saddled with poor pass protection and inconsistent play calling. His 82.4 PFF passing grade ranked eighth among qualified quarterbacks, which is the same as his ranking if the timeframe were extended to 2022. One thing that has held firm for Smith is his excellent deep ball. He ranked fourth in the NFL last season with a 95.1 deep PFF passing grade, and he leads the NFL with a perfect 99.9 deep PFF passing grade over the past three years.

html

Stable Metrics

Unstable Metrics

❮
❯

Offensive Player: TE Brock Bowers

Bowers immediately proved last season why he was so highly regarded coming out of Georgia. He set a rookie tight end record with 1,194 receiving yards and earned a terrific 88.4 PFF receiving grade, third best in the NFL. He also led all tight ends in yards after the catch and contested catches. Bowers should have the opportunity to be even more efficient this season with a functional quarterback in Geno Smith. He’s already one of the NFL’s elite tight ends.

Defensive Player: EDGE Maxx Crosby

Crosby is coming off a bit of a down season that was curtailed due to injury. His 74.3 PFF overall grade was his lowest since 2020. However, his 54 pressures through Week 14 were still tied for the fifth most in the NFL, though, and from 2021 to 2023, his 93.2 PFF overall grade ranked him third among all edge defenders. Crosby is in line for a bounce-back season as long as he stays healthy.

Rookie to Watch: RB Ashton Jeanty

Jeanty’s record-setting performance at Boise State over the past three seasons vaulted him into a top-10 selection in this year’s draft. His 2024 campaign was one for the ages, as he finished second in the Heisman Trophy race and led the nation with a 96.6 PFF rushing grade. He also set PFF records with 1,970 yards after contact and 152 missed tackles forced.

Jeanty should be a substantial improvement to a Raiders team that didn’t have a single player eclipse 500 rushing yards last season.

Fantasy Spotlight: TE Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

Bowers joined the Raiders in 2024 and immediately became the league’s top fantasy tight end. He led the position in receptions and receiving yards as a rookie, resulting in the most fantasy points. Both Trey McBride and George Kittle missed games, and each finished slightly ahead of him in fantasy points per game.

Bowers’ 88.4 PFF receiving grade placed him third among tight ends, behind Kittle and McBride. He is expected to leap over the two tight ends following general improvements to the Raiders’ offense, leading to more accurate passes thrown his way and more touchdowns. However, the team’s coaching staff has a history of deploying tight end committees, and the Raiders have better run-blocking tight ends on the roster, which could lead to fewer snaps for Bowers this season.

Best Bet: RB Ashton Jeanty to score 10+ rushing touchdowns (+260)

Jeanty, a first-year player we’ve already highlighted this offseason as a breakout candidate, has the potential to set the league on fire. Per PFF’s fantasy projections, Jeanty is estimated to reach upward of 9.38 touchdowns, putting his base touchdown line of 7.5 well in hand. Taking the alternate line of 10 or more scores will be within reach and net much more favorable odds.

Bottom Line

The additions of Geno Smith, Ashton Jeanty and multiple rookie receivers should immediately improve the Raiders’ offense in Pete Carroll’s first season as head coach. However, their lack of defensive talent, particularly in coverage, likely puts a hard cap on the number of wins they can secure in an extremely tough division.