The 2022 season was built to be the one that brought the Las Vegas Raiders back to prominence, but instead, it’s been a ride of detrimental lows and some decent highs. The Raiders brought in the best receiver in the NFL and the man with the most sacks over the last decade. The result is a 5-8 record with multiple head-scratching defeats. In a season filled with shortcomings, who has been the biggest disappointment?
5 Most Disappointing Players On The Raiders
Foster Moreau
The team’s second tight end might’ve heard whispers on Twitter that he could replace Darren Waller. To be fair, that chatter was mostly done by fans on social media. That talk has all but died, as his work has been nowhere near enough to justify such a belief. Moreau has had some key drops, one specifically against the Indianapolis Colts, which could’ve given the Raiders a much-needed victory. The higher snap count and looks have only netted 25 receptions and 316 yards with two touchdowns. The numbers aren’t those of someone who can replace a former Pro Bowl tight end. With the offseason additions, the numbers were thought to have jumped, but instead, regression has overtaken them. There appear to be more questions coming to light this offseason as opposed to the answers many believed came in the last one. Unfortunately, Moreau is right in the middle of them.
Trevon Moehrig
The Raiders’ second-round pick in 2021 appeared to be a foundational piece for the secondary. Unfortunately, his sophomore slump has led to questions about whether he will be another failed draft pick. His rookie season led to optimism that he could be the next great safety. The product he’s put on the field in 2022 has left many wondering what happened to Moehrig. There have been multiple plays this year where he was out of position or just made the wrong decision. For example, in the last drive against the Los Angeles Rams, he appeared to think the ball would just fall into his arms instead of making a play against the receiver. It was something that has been all too common this year, and now the Raiders could be once again looking for safety help once the season ends.
Chandler Jones
The former Patriots and Cardinals pass-rusher came aboard this offseason with much hype, and up until the last two games, the hype was unwarranted. The Raiders threw what the young kids call “a bag” at Jones, and his response was putrid. He has recorded 33 total tackles and four and a half sacks. It’s not terrible, but the fact that four of those sacks came in the last two games lends credence to the discussion of whether the signing has been a miss. Jones may still be able to redeem himself a bit over these last four games. Nevertheless, the lack of sack production in the first 11 games will loom large once the season ends.
The Raiders’ Top 2…
Darren Waller
The 2020 Pro Bowler signed an extension in the offseason, and fans were happy. The joyous feeling has quickly soured as many are asking for him to be gone after the season. He has only been in five games, and truth be told, it was only four as he was out moments into the Kansas City Chiefs game. In the games he has participated in, Waller has 16 catches and one touchdown. In one game, he inexplicably dropped three touchdowns, and one ended up being picked off. Some of the ire he has received as well has been due to Waller and his music. The poorly timed music video that was released certainly raised eyebrows. Other fans truly believe he has looked disinterested on the sidelines. Waller has been a definite disappointment, simply put.
Derek Carr
We know Derek Carr apologists will always say he gets blamed unjustly, and at times they’re not wrong. On the other hand, if you’re the franchise quarterback and have made over $100 million, you share the blame as well. A team with Davante Adams at receiver shouldn’t have multiple games where they throw for under 200 yards.
Every year we heard he just needs a number one receiver or this or that, and yet he has struggled. He has three games with no touchdowns as well, to go along with three games of two or more interceptions. The thing that you could point out where Carr can thrive is the comeback or clutch drive. In this season, it has been, in reality, just two. One was the game-tying touchdown pass during regulation against Seattle, and the other was the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime against Denver. He’s come up short more than not. The offense was set for him to shine, and he has been more shade than anything. A disappointment this season without a doubt.
*Top Photo: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports