Raiders enter 2020 with above-average NFL continuity

Without an in-person offseason program, all NFL teams will be challenged in training camp to catch up as much as possible in order to be ready for the regular season come September.

Teams that have the most continuity and returning players will clearly be at an advantage. At first thought, that may not bode well for the Las Vegas Raiders because they signed 14 veterans in free agency and drafted seven rookies.

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Yet, according to a study conducted by ESPN, the Raiders are not in bad shape when it comes to roster continuity heading into the 2020 season, especially on offense. The study is based off of snaps played last season by returning players.

The Raiders ranked No. 2 on offense and No. 12 overall at 77.4 percent returning snaps. The Raiders are 28th on defense with 60.4 percent returning snaps. That make sense because 4-6 new defensive starters brought in this offseason.

The key is the 94 percent of the returning offensive snaps. Other than the addition of No. 12 overall pick, receiver Henry Ruggs III and perhaps third-round picks Lynn Bowden Jr. and Bryan Edwards, the top of the offensive-playing rotation will remain the same in 2020. The Raiders have to take advantage of that and come out with improved results on offense.

While it may take time for the defense to achieve cohesion, the Las Vegas offense has to carry the load this season. The lack of an offseason could affect many teams, but the Raiders need to take advantage of its experience and chemistry on offense in 2020 as this study shows.