The free-agent class of 2020 for the Las Vegas Raiders has had mixed results and disappointment across the board. However, two players have exceeded expectations as the team hopes to bounce back against the New York Jets.
Despite heavy investment by the Raiders’ front office, the roster still has many holes that need addressing next offseason. As far as 2020 goes, several signings have been utter disappointments, quarterback Marcus Mariota, defensive end Carl Nassib, and defensive tackle Maliek Collins to just name the principal ones.
So much for all that free agency spending…
Mariota was going to challenge for the starting quarterback job. At least, that’s what some fans had hoped for. Instead, the former Tennessee Titans quarterback has been a non-factor in 2020 and is getting a paycheck literally for sitting. Nathan Peterman is the backup and it doesn’t look like things will change.
Nassib was signed to help alleviate the pass rush, unfortunately, he too has not lived up to his contract. One and a half sacks wasn’t exactly what general manager Mike Mayock and Raider Nation had in mind. As for Collins, well what can we really say? He’s been absolutely terrible, sometimes you just have to call a spade a spade. Zero sacks and just six solo tackles is disappointing no matter how you want to spin it.
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Agholor And Kwiatkoski Have Thrived For The Raiders
On the bright side, a couple of the team’s free-agent additions have thrived. On offense, the biggest revelation has been wide receiver Nelson Agholor and on defense, linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski.
Agholor has revived his career in Silver and Black after being getting chased out of Philadelphia by ungrateful fans. How quickly their fans forgot he was a contributor on their only Super Bowl-winning team. In his five-year tenure, ‘Nelly’ amassed 2,515 receiving yards, 18 touchdowns, and had a catch percentage of nearly 60 percent. Meanwhile, he’s had 29 receptions on 44 targets and is one of quarterback Derek Carr’s favorite targets.
The Defense Has Found Its Leader
Kwiatkoski, the former Chicago Bear, has picked up the leadership mantle for the Raiders defense in 2020. After dealing with some injury concerns, ‘Sky’ has played 488 snaps on defense and 56 on special teams. Moreover, he has amassed 41 solo tackles, three tackles for a loss, four passes defensed, and one forced fumble and sack. The linebacker has been targeted 39 times in the passing game and has allowed a 51.3% completion percentage.
While there have been several disappointments with this free-agent class, the Raiders were able to land two long-term contributors to each side of the ball.
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*Top Photo: Michael Clemens/Las Vegas Raiders