Crimson Tide NFL Team Rundown: The Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders made several "all-in" moves prior to 2022, but did not live up to the hype. How can they rebound in 2023 with the help of Crimson Tide players?

The Las Vegas Raiders were one of the teams who got all of the hype during the offseason prior to the 2022 season. In March, they made the blockbuster trade for Davante Adams from Green Bay, reuniting him with his college quarterback Derek Carr. The Raiders already had Clemson grandad Hunter Renfrow (not really "grandad" but it felt like he had been at Clemson forever) and added the best wide receiver in the NFL. With Josh Jacobs manning the backfield, and Darren Waller as the top tight end option, the Raiders appeared primed for a division competition with the Kansas City Chiefs.

While the latter won the Super Bowl, 2022 was anything but kind to the Raiders. The team struggled despite major contributions from both Adams and Jacobs, who led the NFL in rushing. Carr struggled as a passer, completing 60.8 percent of his throws for 3,522 yards and 24 touchdowns, along with 14 interceptions. No one outside of Adams had more than 700 receiving yards or five touchdowns. Carr ended up getting benched for Jarrett Stidham in the final two games, signaling the end of Carrs time in the silver and black. 

That was just the beginning of some serious turnover, especially on the offensive side. Jimmy Garoppolo has taken over as the starter with Carr having moved on to New Orleans. Rookie Michael Mayer is the eventual starter in place of tight end Darren Waller who was traded to the New York Giants, plus the Raiders shuffled the offensive line.

Defensively, Las Vegas struggled outside of the pass rush, which was led by Maxx Crosby, although Chandler Jones did see his production drop in 2022. Jones had seven seasons of 10 or more sacks during his 11 years in the NFL, yet notched just 4.5 last season. The Raiders did add secondary help, signing former Baltimore Raven cornerback Marcus Peters, as well as elevating Nate Hobbs to full-time starter. Otherwise, they're banking on several players making a leap forward in their development in 2023.

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Overall, the Raiders roster three former Crimson Tide players: Jacobs, wide receiver Cam Sims and defensive lineman Byron Young. 

Jacobs' situation is similar to Jonathan Taylor's in Indianapolis. Because the running back market is being increasingly undervalued across the NFL, he's holding out of Raiders training camp because he does not have a contract beyond 2023. After leading the NFL in rushing for 2022, and rushing for over 1,000 yards in three of his four seasons, Jacobs felt like he deserved a contract extension that would sit him comfortably at the top of the running back market. Instead, the Raiders franchise tagged Jacobs, and declined to sign him to a long-term deal. Is Jacobs going to play on the tag? It doesn't appear so as he has not signed it, he and the Raiders are at an impasse in negotiations, and seems set on not participating in training camp. Should he return and avoid any injuries, which can be an issue after holdouts, the Raiders run game will instantly become a top-10 unit in the NFL. 

Sims has quietly been a consistent player in the NFL. He played years in Washington before signing with Las Vegas in the offseason. His best season came in 2020 when he had 477 yards. However, his spot on the team is anything but assured as the Raiders have a pretty deep group at wide receiver. Heading into the preseason he's listed third at one of the three receiver spots on the depth chart behind Jakobi Meyers and and Keelan Cole Sr. 

Young is a rookie defensive tackle for the Raiders after totaling 132 tackles, seven-and-a-half sacks, three passes defended, and one forced fumble during his time at Alabama. He'll have to navigate his way up the depth chart, so the preseason could be crucial for him.  

The Raiders struggled to a 6-11 finish last season and might have a tough time matching that, especially without Jacobs. Regardless, the team will have to depend on the developing connection between Jimmy Garoppolo and the rest of the offense in order to have any kind of playoff chance. 

Active Las Vegas Raiders

#28 Josh Jacobs, RB
#81 Cam Sims, WR
#93 Byron Young, DT

See also: Bama in the NFL: Active Alabama Crimson Tide Players by Team