The NFL just released their Associated Press All-Pro First team and surprisingly (or not), there are no Raiders players on the team.
The Raiders finished the 2019 season with a 7-9 record, which mirrors their middle-of-the-pack talent. General manager Mike Mayock took matters into his hands and added players through free agency and the draft last offseason after a scarcity of difference makers in 2018.
Some of those players were Josh Jacobs and Maxx Crosby. Also, the Raiders saw tight end Darren Waller break though, Rodney Hudson was his usual self and Richie Incognito showed he belongs and they could have made the case like the rookies that they belonged on the team.
Related: Maxx Crosby deserves Defensive Rookie of the Year consideration
All of them had superb seasons and every single one of them contributed to the Raiders improvement this past year, but it would be hard to take any of the players that received the accolade off the list. Was Darren Waller really better than George Kittle?
.@49ers @JimmyG_10 to @gkittle46 on 4-2. Last chance you go to your best player. The #49ers had 1 more big play than the #saints. Instant Classic. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/WYogrFtxKG
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 9, 2019
It can be argued who’s the better tight end, but we need to consider that the Raiders are a young team. Jacobs and Crosby are entering their sophomore year and Waller still has room to improve, meaning that they all can keep on getting better and probably and with a little more experience, they can be perennial All-Pros.
Of course, seeing a couple Raiders players on the first team list would have have been nice, but the Associated Press also released the second unit and at least, Hudson made the cut there.
If the young core for the Silver and Black continues grinding the way they have, it won’t be long before we talk about many Raiders players making the list instead of none doing so.
You May Also Like: Las Vegas Raiders go all offense in the latest Ramble’s First Round mock draft