The Raiders landed a ‘C’ grade in ESPN’s offseason report card. Only one team got a worse grade.
Most reviews of the Raiders offseason have seemed positive from what I can tell. The team got the head coach they wanted, the quarterbacks they wanted, the free agent center they wanted, and even got Maxx Crosby back after he initially wanted to be traded.
ESPN’s Seth Walder disagrees. Considerably so, it would appear.
In his ESPN offseason report card for all 32 NFL teams, Walder gave the Raiders a flat ‘C’ grade which was second worst in the NFL. Only the D grade the Arizona Cardinals received was worse.
Walder rips the Raiders for several moves. He said he liked that they tried to trade the 29-year-old Pro Bowler, but marks the team down because the Ravens nixed it. So, good on them for trying to trade him, but a mark down for getting the rug pulled from beneath them. Ok…
He also said their biggest move was selecting Fernando Mendoza number one overall, but gives the Raiders no credit for picking him because they had the top pick. Which is an odd thing to say, honestly.
Next, after mentioning they brought in some good players, he rips them for spending too much on them. He likes the addition, but can’t seem to get the amount the Raiders spent out of his craw.
There are certainly arguments for the signing. Linderbaum is one of the best centers in the league and in the prime of his career. Players like that don’t often reach the free agent market. And there could be extra value in a rookie franchise quarterback pairing up with a high-quality, experienced center. But how high of a number does that take you to? It’s a tough sell to get all the way to $27 million.
Nevermind that the Raiders had nearly the most money to spend this offseason. No credit for being overly aggressive to get what they want it would seem.
Walder didn’t like the Kwity Paye addition. Which I actually agree with. I think he’s not a great fit and they paid too much to get him.
The Raiders also dished out $16 million per year to Paye in what I thought was one of the worst free agency contracts this offseason. Paye ranked last among qualifying edge rushers in pass rush win rate.
The important part that is left out here is the Raiders made this and the Malcolm Koonce deal when they thought Crosby was gone and they were doing what they could to ensure they had two starters on the roster. Sure, they could’ve backed out on the Paye deal, but that would’ve been unethical. Leave those kinds of deals to the Ravens.
Walder goes on to list off their other defensive additions, but with no specific opinions about them.
Mostly he says his favorite move of theirs (trading Maxx Crosby) didn’t end up happening and he thinks they spent too much money on players he doesn’t love.
What I see is a team with a lot of money to spend THIS YEAR and they spent that money to build a team around their new franchise QB. I think they should be credited for swinging what looked like a great trade of Maxx Crosby, rather than seemingly marked down for the Ravens’ backdoor shenanigans. And getting the Super Bowl winning OC as head coach seems to be getting left out of this too.
By this time next year, they will still have their head coach, franchise QB, and Pro Bowl center and the money they spent in free agency to get them will be mostly forgotten.
