Five predictions on what the Raiders will look like in five years

One of the more memorable quote from Al Davis was ‘The Greatness of the Raiders is in its future”. Whenever the draft happens, that saying is dusted off and recycled.

The players chosen this weekend will sign 4-year deals and in five years from now will either be receiving extensions or on another team. How they fit with the players already under contract will decide how the team will perform in the meantime.

Just for the hell of it, let’s look at where I see the Raiders in five years.

Las Vegas

This one is more of an eventual reality than a prediction. By 2020 they are expected to open their new stadium in Sin City and relocate, leaving the gritty, blue collar Oakland pedigree behind in favor of the glitzy, transient Las Vegas party scene lifestyle. I’m sure similar words were used when they left for Los Angeles in the early 80s.

Deep playoff runs including a Super Bowl appearance

What they started last year will continue the next few years and will result in adding to their playoff win total and their trophy case. Whether that be an AFC Championship trophy and/or a Vince Lombardi Trophy as well.

Offensive line in flux

Right now the Raiders have one of the best offensive lines in football. The interior of that line will be under contract for the next few years. In five years, there will be some questions.The right tackle spot is a question right now, left tackle Donald Penn is likely entering his final season in the NFL, center Rodney Hudson’s contract is up in 2019, Kelechi Osemele in 2020, and should the team extend Gabe Jackson, his contract will likely be up right around five years from now. It’s difficult to find five great lineman to play together at one time, let alone over long periods of time. They have it right now, but it won’t last forever.

More balanced team, led by defense

In five years, Khalil Mack will be 31 and just past his peak, but still dominant. The team went defense with six of their nine picks in the draft and four of their first five rounds. There’s every reason to believe that could happen again in next year’s draft as the offense has several key young players as its foundation already. Right now their offense is carrying the load as top five in the league. In five years, due in part to the above Oline questions, I expect the offense to be more middle of the road and the defense to be top ten or even top five.

Same head coach, new coordinators

Jack Del Rio will have done enough with this team over the next four years of his contract to earn another one. His coordinators will have moved on, though. Ken Norton Jr is on the hotseat this season, especially with John Pagano now in house. Todd Downing will likely have received a head coaching opportunity somewhere. If he hasn’t, then something went wrong along the way which would mean he is let go as well.