Updated since the NFL draft, these are my second annual Pre-Camp Roster Rankings. The process in devising these rankings is imperfect, and inarguably subjective. Inevitably, certain teams will perform better than I anticipate during the forthcoming season. Others will fare worse.
Please keep in mind that the rankings are a projection for 2014, not a regurgitation of last year’s results. I make plenty of references to 2013 in the Offensive and Defensive Overviews, but there has been a lot of player turnover since last season ended, and the idea is to get a feel for where every team stands entering training camp. Quarterbacks and defensive line – with a special nod to pass rush -- weigh heavily into the rankings because they can mask or compensate for flaws and deficiencies elsewhere on a team.
* = Offseason Addition.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/silvas-pre ... --nfl.html
31. Oakland Raiders
QB: Matt Schaub*
RB: Maurice Jones-Drew*
FB: Marcel Reece
WR: James Jones*
WR: Rod Streater
TE: David Ausberry
LT: Donald Penn*
LG: Gabe Jackson*
C: Stefen Wisniewski
RG: Austin Howard*
RT: Menelik Watson
Offensive Overview: High-profile offseason additions Schaub, MJD, Jones, and Penn are all on the downsides of their careers, and this unit is noticeably short on big-play ability. OC Greg Olson's objective will be to play ball-control offense, leaning on a front five that has a chance to be league average or better. Oakland has invested numerous recent high picks on offensive linemen, and free agent pickup Howard is a mauling right guard. The Raiders will likely utilize Jones as a high-volume possession target, with Andre Holmes in the vertical role and Streater manning the slot in three-wide packages. While I think they could field a respectable run-game unit, the biggest concern for Oakland's offense is descending 33-year-old quarterback Schaub. Over his last 16 games, Schaub has a 13:19 TD-to-INT ratio and 6.68 YPA with a league-high five pick-sixes.
LE: Justin Tuck*
RE: LaMarr Woodley*
DT: Antonio Smith*
NT: Pat Sims
MLB: Nick Roach
WLB: Sio Moore
SLB: Khalil Mack*
LCB: Tarell Brown*
RCB: D.J. Hayden
FS: Charles Woodson
SS: Tyvon Branch
Defensive Overview: Even if much of it comes from late-career players, the Raiders' defense has sneaky pass-rush upside and is the primary reason I kept them out of the league's basement. While front-four depth is a big concern -- DC Jason Tarver needs his starters to stay healthy -- Tuck, Woodley, and Smith all still have juice left in the tank, and Mack and Moore offer young legs capable of playing diverse roles. Kevin Burnett and Miles Burris provide depth at linebacker, if, say Mack is forced to see more action on the line of scrimmage. Sims and sophomore DT Stacy McGee can stuff the run, as can Mike 'backer Roach and safety Branch, who returns healthy after missing all but two games last season with a fractured fibula. 2013 first-round pick Hayden is penciled in as a starter here, although that job may go to Carlos Rogers if Hayden can't stay out of the trainer's room. I don't think Oakland will play truly stout defense, but their pass rush should be much improved, and I believe they'll remain competitive versus the run.
