2016-2017 Raiders Preview & NFL Future Lines
Looking for 2016 Oakland Raiders Predictions? We’ve got your back. The Raiders will try to take the next step in their progression in 2016 armed with a ton of young talent on their roster. After years of futility Oakland looks poised again to challenge for the AFC West Title and to head into the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
2016 Oakland Raiders Predictions – Futures Odds
2017 Oakland Raiders Super Bowl 51 Odds +2500
2017 AFC Champion odds Oakland Raiders +1400
2017 AFC West – Odds to Win Oakland Raiders +275
Season Win Totals Oakland Raiders – 7.5
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2016 Raiders Roster Changes
You can’t make 2016 Oakland Raiders predictions without examining roster changes. Among the offseason losses for the Raiders are WR Rod Streater, OT Khalif Barnes, OT J’Marcus Webb, G Tony Bergstrom, DE Justin Tuck, ILB Curtis Lofton, CB Charles Woodson, S Larry Asante – not a huge deal for a team whose youth movement could serve them well.
They added G/OT Kelechi Osemele, OLB Bruce Irvin, OLB Darren Bates, CB Sean Smith, S Reggie Nelson, S Brynden Trawick and had a pretty good draft making them a team to watch this upcoming season.
Will the Raiders finally realize their immense potential? Let’s break it down.
2016 Oakland Raiders Predictions: Offense
Oakland’s offense was a strength in 2015 – Derek Carr threw 32 touchdowns compared to just 13 interceptions and almost hit the 4000 yard mark. He is one of the true bright stars in the game and is expected to improve on his solid numbers from last year.
Wide Receiver Amari Cooper is projected as the next dominant pass catchers in the game. Only injury slowed him down last year – he was terrific when healthy and should easily be able to build on a rookie campaign that saw him catch 72 passes for 1070 yards and 6 TDs.
Now with a year under his belt Cooper could elevate himself into the top tier of receivers.
On the other side of Cooper is a terrific possession receiver in Michael Crabtree who went for 85 catches and 9 TDs last year.
He should be able to take some heat off Cooper and catch his share of passes this upcoming season. Oakland looks set in their passing game – they have easily the best QB and receivers in the AFC West – by a mile.
An improved running game will be crucial for the Raiders this year to compliment the passing game.
They were an average unit last year – Latavius Murray who gained 1066 yards.
He and rookie DeAndre Washington should be able to build on Oakland’s stats from last year – especially with the O-line upgrades that was the obvious focus of the Oakland offseason.
Oakland went out and got one of the best guards in the game in the offseason – Kelechi Osemele from the Ravens will join interior blockers Gabe Jackson and Rodney Hudson to make up one of the best interior lines in the NFL.
Donald Penn and Austin Howard on the edge are no slouches either. It all adds up to Derek Carr having more time to find his talented receivers and to the running game being drastically improved in 2016.
With the offense seemingly in good hands, Oakland’s success will likely come down to…
2016 Oakland Raiders Predictions: Defense
Oakland’s defense was a bit of an issue all of last season – they allowed 25 points per game and forced the offense into playing catch-up far too frequently. Stalwart Charles Goodson retired leaving a big hole on a defense already void of playmakers.
Oakland signed former Bengal and last year’s leader in interceptions Reggie Nelson to replace Woodson and drafted Karl Joseph – they also still have young stud Shaun Williams to play in the secondary.
They signed former Chief Sean Smith who was terrific last year and they still have an adequate David Amerson to round out the secondary. The back end in Oakland looks solid this year – something that can’t be said about last year’s club.
The linebacking corp. was bolstered by former Seahawk Bruce Irvin whose pass rushing skills leave something to be desired.
However he is a terrific all-around player and leader that Oakland lacked last year. The linebackers were the weakness of the team last year – Irvin is a huge upgrade.
Khalil Mack (one of the best all-around players in the game – he had 15 sacks last year) still exists on an OK D-line and will be joined by Mario Edwards, last year’s second round pick who is FINALLY healthy and former Cardinal Dan Williams who should inject a presence the Raiders haven’t seen in quite some time.
Simply put the Raiders will be a better defensive club in 2016 – the upgrades in the secondary should create a trickle-down for the rest of the defense. Oakland’s defense has to be good, not great in 2016 for the Raiders to take the next step.
I think they will be at least that – especially if they can weather Aldon Smith’s latest suspension.
2016 Oakland Raiders Analysis:
There is little doubt that Oakland will improve on a 7-9 season from last year. The question is just how much? Expectations will be high for the young club – nobody will take them lightly.
I expect the Raiders to battle for the Division lead all year long and finish 9-7 – second in the AFC West. 2017 could be special!
2016 NFL Gambling
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