Las Vegas Raiders hammered by NFL analyst for offseason decisions
Las Vegas Raiders hammered by NFL analyst for offseason decisions
When it comes to the Las Vegas Raiders' offseason, the biggest criticism of general manager Tom Telesco comes from the fact that he didn't add what would be considered a long-term solution at the quarterback position.
Telesco did sign Gardner Minshew to compete with Aidan O'Connell, but neither of those players are considered true difference-makers at the position. However, both signal-callers are capable of helping this team to the playoffs in the short term.
Finding a long-term solution at quarterback is far easier said than done, and just because a team wants to add one doesn't mean it can. It depends on who is on the open market in free agency (there usually isn't much, if anyone at all) and/or draft positioning. And, even if a team is in position to draft a quarterback, there's no guarantee the signal-caller will pan out.
ESPN's Seth Walder is one of many analysts who have a negative view of the Raiders' offseason because of the lack of a major addition at quarterback. He gave Las Vegas a "D," tied for the lowest mark in the NFL.
First, they failed to secure a long-term solution (or even a long-term hope) at quarterback, though I don't knock them too heavily for that. Vegas entered the offseason in an unenviable position of needing a quarterback, not having the roster to support a major signing like Kirk Cousins and drafting last among a slew of QB-needy teams. The Raiders could have traded up, but it would have been for one of the second-tier quarterbacks. In lieu of a long-term solution, they paid a non-trivial $15 million guaranteed to Gardner Minshew, though he's coming off a solid season in Indianapolis.
On top of the quarterback situation, Walder was not happy with the Raiders keeping Davante Adams instead of trading him for future assets, and he thought Las Vegas overpaid for Christian Wilkins.
The biggest failure was not trading Adams, which is almost inexcusable in the Raiders' current state. The 31-year-old wide receiver has one cheap year left on his contract ($17.5 million for a trading team) and Las Vegas needed to cash in for draft capital now. Instead, it is running out the clock on a depreciating asset. Likewise, the Raiders ought to have traded down and acquired future assets that could have been used on or to support a future quarterback.
Elsewhere, the Raiders spent a ton on defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, which I criticized at the time as an overpay. He helps their defense, but I don't know if he's worth the price paid.
What did Walder actually like? The re-signing of center Andre James, which we can all agree was a move Las Vegas needed to make.
Ultimately, Telesco's moves (or lack thereof in some instances) will be judged on what the Raiders do during the season. But if things so south early, Las Vegas will almost certainly sell off what they can to set themselves up for the future.