Early forecasts predict the Las Vegas Raiders will struggle in 2020, so much that they could be picking in the top 10 next year.
The 2020 NFL season will be getting underway soon after a long and strange offseason due to Covid-19 and social unrest in the US. These modifications altered team preparations such as training camps, it also eliminated the preseason. No, these aren’t excuses for the Raiders but no doubt they could affect how the team performs in 2020.
The struggles for a young team with so much rookie and second-year talent might be a lot in a year with altered preparation. In fact, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report predicts the Raiders will have the eighth overall pick at the 2021 NFL Draft.
Related: Raiders Should Easily Withstand The Loss of Tyrell Williams
Raiders Pick: CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
With that pick, Miller foresees the Raiders going with a cornerback, Caleb Farley of Virginia Tech. That’s an interesting pick when you consider how the cornerback group has shaped up for the Silver and Black. At this year’s draft, Raiders brass picked up two cornerbacks in Damon Arnette and Amik Robertson. These two joined youngsters Trayvon Mullen and Isaiah Johnson to form one of the youngest units on the team. If the Raiders are taking a cornerback this high next year, it’s safe to assume something went wrong. That said, none of this overlooks Farley, whom Miller believes could be an excellent addition to the Raiders.
“An athletic marvel at 6’2″ and 207 pounds, Farley was timed on GPS running 24.16 mph by the Hokies’ coaches. He also grabbed four interceptions in his sophomore season and had 16 passes defensed. Farley isn’t just an athlete; he’s a player.”
There was an interesting note in Miller’s prediction in regards to the quarterback positions. “At No. 8 overall, the Raiders are outside the range necessary to consider a quarterback in Round 1 and have drafted well enough at other positions to not have a true need.” Seems like if the team doesn’t play bad enough they could be missing out on a franchise quarterback. Perhaps, Farley might not be that bad of a consolation prize if that’s the case.
You May Also Like: Raiders Secondary Taking Shape After Damarious Randall Cut
*Top Photo: Trevor Ruszkowski/USA Today Sports