Five Las Vegas Raiders Who Will Take the Next Step
The Las Vegas Raiders have new faces at many vital positions on their team, on and off the field. These changes allow a fresh start for many talented yet less-featured players from Coach Josh McDaniels's regime.
The five players below have played well until now, but make the list as we believe they have an even higher potential ceiling. It will be up to the new coaching staff to get the most out of them.
No. 1 -- Michael Mayer
The Raiders traded up in the draft to select tight end Michael Mayer from Notre Dame with the sixth pick of the second round in 2023. Mayer finished his career as one of the best tight ends to play football at the storied program.
However, his first few games in the National Football League were a struggle, as quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo couldn't seem to see Mayer, and the previous coaching staff failed to incorporate him into their game plans.
With a new quarterback under center, rookie Aidan O'Connell, and a new offensive coordinator, Bo Hardegree, Mayer can grow into one of the best tight ends in the NFL.
No. 2 -- Tyree Wilson
The Raiders' defensive end, a first-round pick, was the subject of many questions when the season began. The rookie was coming into the NFL recovering from a foot injury.
For a player his size, playing his position, to have a foot injury led to a slow transitional phase into the NFL. Over the last few weeks, Wilson has steadily improved an area of his game.
"He's getting better every day, getting better every day," Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham said. "I love his work ethic, I love the fact that his physicality is showing up on the field as a rookie edge player. But that's the thing: working hard to get better every day, and you can see it out there on the field. I'm happy for him."
Wilson continues to take strides. The next step most are looking for is for him to impact a game in ways that show up on the stat sheet.
If the Las Vegas Raiders defense gets more consistent production from defensive end Malcolm Koonce, they will become an even better unit.
© Lucas Peltier | 2022 Jul 28
No. 3 -- Hunter Renfrow
Renfrow had a subpar season at no fault of his own a year ago because of injury. Unfortunately, Renfrow didn't fit the previous coaching staff's system. Both Garoppolo and Coach Josh McDaniels effectively forgot him.
Although he caught only two passes for only 32 yards on Sunday, it was a season-high for Renfrow. Interim Offensive Coordinator Bo Hardegree made it a point to get many of the forgotten offensive weapons involved. Renfrow was arguably the most overlooked of them all.
Not only was Renfrow featured more, but Las Vegas got the ball in his hands early instead of late after the game was decided. If Hardegree continues to spread the ball around, look for Renfrow to step up as the season progresses.
No. 4 -- Amari Burney
Burney has the chance to see the field much more with injuries to multiple Raiders linebackers. He has done well so far, but the Raiders will lean on him even more, as there has been no update on injured linebackers Divine Deablo and Luke Masterson.
On Sunday, Burney finished with the fourth-most tackles on the team and has 11 tackles over the last two games. As he sees more time on the field and the Silver and Black look to mix things up, look for Burney to fill the holes left by injuries.
No. 5 -- Malcolm Koonce
Koonce has shown potential this season opposite star defensive end Maxx Crosby but has yet to impact the game on defense consistently. Koonce recorded three tackles and his first sack of the season on Sunday against the Giants.
Playing as the defensive end opposite Crosby, with a defensive-minded head coach at the helm, should only lead to even more growth from Koonce. If the Raiders coaching staff can help Koonce become more productive, he has a chance at taking the next step.
The Silver and Black will remain at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to take on the New York Jets on Sunday, Nov. 12, at 8:20 p.m. EST/5:20 p.m. PST.
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