FanPost

Recap of Raiders in NFL Top 100

Last year I did a recap of the NFL Top 100 list with some thoughts ( Recap of Raiders in PFF Top 101, NFL Top 100 from 2011-16 ) so I thought I would do something similar again this year.

These are your Raiders that made the 2017 version of the list:

95 Kelechi Osemele
53 Amari Cooper
11 Derek Carr
5 Khalil Mack

Last year we had 3 players make the list: Mack, R. Nelson and Carr. This year Reggie Nelson fell off the list but we had Kelechi Osemele and Amari Cooper added. My favorite thing about these players is there age. Osemele is the old man of the group at 28, followed by Carr and Mack at 26 and Amari Cooper at just 23 years old. We have a solid young core just entering their prime. I don't see any of those guys sliding off of this list in the near future.

  • Did any Raiders players get snubbed?

I wouldn't say there are any glaring omissions but you could make a strong case for Donald Penn, Rodney Hudson and Gabe Jackson to be on this list. The reality is that it is difficult to make the list as a linemen unless you play for the Cowboys. Reggie Nelson has performed solidly the last two years but he made the list last year because of his name recognition and probably didn't deserve to make it again this year. Bruce Irvin is probably the most talented Raiders defender not on the list. He is a better player than some of the guys on this list but gets overshadowed by Mack.

  • How did we stack up with the other 31 franchises?

The chart below shows the number of players that teams had on the list.

Seahawks 8 Steelers 4 Eagles 3 Ravens 1
Cowboys 7 Giants 4 Vikings 3 Browns 1
Chiefs 6 Redskins 4 Bucs 3 Jaguars 1
Patriots 6 Panthers 4 Bills 2 Lions 1
Titans 6 Falcons 4 Bengals 2 Rams 1
Packers 5 Cardinals 4 Texans 2 Jets 0
Raiders 4 Chargers 3 Colts 2 Bears 0
Dolphins 4 Broncos 3 Saints 2 49ers 0

As you can see the Seahawks led the way with 8 players followed by the Cowboys with 7. The Chiefs, Patriots and Titans were next with 6 with the Packers nipping on their heels with 5. We were one of 8 teams with 4 players making the list (Dolphins, Steelers, Giants, Redskins, Panther, Falcons and Cardinals). That would give us a T-7 which isn't terrible but hopefully we can see the number of Raiders on the list continue to grow.

  • What names could we see added to the 2018 version of this list?

  1. The most obvious name is Marshawn Lynch. If he can break the 1000 yard barrier he is a lock to make the list next year. He has the name and respect among the players.
  2. Gabe Jackson is another name that jumps out. He is a young talented player but to make this list he will have to dominate defenders like Osemele.
  3. Bruce Irvin was a nice addition to our defense last year and if he can continue his strong play, the league may have to take notice.
  4. Cordarrelle Patterson has a chance with Tyreek Hill sitting at 36 on this year's list. Hill made it primarily due to his strong return game. He caught 61 passes for 593 yards. I could see Patterson with a similar stat line if Downing makes an effort to get him involved.

Thoughts Raider Nation?