#5 The entire Las Vegas Raiders defense
https://www.facebook.com/Raiders/photos/4899337576763357
The Las Vegas Raiders need to take that next step in their franchise’s history, and it’s slowly becoming apparent that their defense is holding them back. Whether it’s a sour mix of players at certain positions or ex-coach Jon Gruden’s draft picks throughout the years, something needs to change on that side of the ball. That’s why the Raiders need to go aggressively towards good defensive players before the trade deadline and improve this defense heading into the final stretch of the season.
Unfortunately for Alex Leatherwood, Trevon Moerhig, and other recent draft picks, this means they will need to continue to prove their worth to the team. If this defense isn’t capable of clicking like initially intended, however, you will probably see surprise changes sooner rather than later. Furthermore, with the trade deadline coming later in the season, the Raiders could trade any of these guys to upgrade at another position. There is just no seniority with the Raiders anymore, and that’s going to see some favorites leave the Silver and Black before all is said and done.
#4 Joshua Jacobs
https://www.facebook.com/Raiders/photos/4899705776726537
Joshua Jacobs might be one of the most promising talents the Las Vegas Raiders have had the pleasure of signing, but he also has an injury problem that can leave him on the sidelines when the team needs him. Either that or he gets shut down in some games, forcing the Raiders to rely on other backs to get the ground game going. Unfortunately for Jacobs, who is only two weeks removed from an ankle and toe injury, this could end up putting him on the chopping block.
#3 Rich Bisaccia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrgpERys0tk
While interim head coach Rich Bisaccia has done a serviceable job for the Las Vegas Raiders so far, there is going to come a time when the organization has to decide if he stays. Now, this doesn’t mean he can’t put a case together to be the new top guy in Las Vegas, but he’s not just going to get the job outright. In fact, with so many exciting head coaching candidates out there at the end of the season, Bisaccia might be on borrowed time.
#2 Marcus Mariota
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLrltbC160k
Marcus Mariota may never play another down for the Las Vegas Raiders in his NFL career. While that might sound like nonsense, especially with him just coming off injured reserve, he could be collateral for a team looking to trade someone on their defense. Think about it! One more lousy performance by a starting NFL quarterback, and the Raiders might have all the leverage they need to unload Mariota and get some depth at one of the defensive positions.
It’s no secret that there’s a lot of value in this very talented individual. It’s also no secret that the Raiders still have a few pieces they need to put in place to make that playoff push. With that being said, why not use that bargaining power for a team in need of a quarterback? Not only would it allow Mariota to fulfill his true potential as a starting quarterback again, but it also could give the Raiders depth at a position they desperately need at the moment.
#1 Derek Carr
https://www.facebook.com/Raiders/photos/4876007879096327
If you can’t tell by now, pretty much everyone in the Las Vegas Raiders organization is expendable at this point. There are no more favorites. There are no more projects that will be given a little more time to grow. It will pretty much be a game of going hard or going home, and no one will feel this more than franchise quarterback Derek Carr himself. If he has another shutdown game as he did against the Rams and the Bears, he could end up getting benched in favor of Marcus Mariota.
Of course, Mariota will need time to heal and develop after his hip injury earlier in the season, but he could end up being the starter if Carr is just into too much trouble. Again, everyone is expendable in this scenario and, the goal is to move the team forward as a whole. Whether that means replacing a longtime franchise quarterback remains to be seen, but he can’t have any more bad games.
