If you read my previous article of the Raiders entering the 2025 season which was the pre-draft preview of the team. You could see that I felt that they were a very interesting team entering this season with Pete Carroll being in a position to turn around one of the weakest NFL franchises. If you reference that piece you could see that I felt that this year they had what it takes to be an explosive offensive team. While the defense was going to be in more of a rebuilding state and would eventually be their undoing. The team has signed veteran QB Geno Smith to command the offense while also bringing on Chip Kelly as the offensive coordinator. Kelly at one point not too long ago was considered one of the most innovative offensives minds of this football generation. I am really excited to watch the Raiders’ offense next season as the Raiders from a personnel standpoint on offense outside of the QB position are in as good of a shape as almost any NFL team. Beginning with my analysis of the Raiders on the offensive side of the ball entering next season, I will first evaluate how the team looked offensively during the 2024 season. The Raiders’ major 2024 offensive metrics can be found below.
Las Vegas Raiders 2024 Major Offensive Metrics
29th in points per game
27th in yards per game
25th in overall offense grade according to Pro Football Focus
As you can see from the above, new QB Geno Smith and new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will have their work cut out for them. As the Raiders during the 2024 campaign were one of the weakest offensive teams in the NFL. The Raiders during the 2024 season had three different QBs log substantial snaps for the team with Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder likely all being better suited as backups. With all three of those QBs not striking my mind as high-end NFL backups either such as Malik Willis, Mac Jones, or Jimmy Garoppolo. The Raiders had a defensive minded head coach in Antonio Pierce with many questioning his qualifications for the head coaching position to begin with, with Pierce being terminated right after the season ended. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy was fired in the middle of the 2024 campaign as well. The instability and the lack of qualified offensive coaching combined with one of the weakest QB positions led to the Raiders being amongst the weakest offensive teams during the 2024 season. The Raiders had some nice offensive pieces during the 2024 season. However, some of the talented offensive players were certainly not enough to overcome the Raiders’ combination of offensive coaching and QB play being in the discussion for the weakest in the NFL in 2024. Keeping that personnel in mind while looking ahead to next season many of those talented offensive players remain on the team. I have conducted a full analysis of the Raiders’ offensive personnel during the 2024 season and also headed into the 2025 season below. I have included the offense grade that the player was assigned by Pro Football Focus over the course of the 2024 season. In addition to it I have included my own subjective grade of the player that indicates how strong I feel they are outside of just the 2024 season. Beginning below with the offensive line of the team during the 2024 campaign.
2024 Raiders Offensive Line Starters
LT – Kolton Miller – (14/87) offense grade in 2024 over 1075 snaps, B+ to A-
LG – Jackson Powers-Johnson – (41/83) offense grade in 2024 over 956 snaps, B to B+ so far as 2024 2nd round pick
C – Andre James – (39/43) offense grade in 2024 over 702 snaps, C+ to B-
RG – Dylan Parham – (19/83) offense grade in 2024 over 882 snaps, B to B+
RT – D.J Glaze – (49/87) offense grade in 2024 over 998 snaps, C to C+ so far as 2024 3rd round pick
2024 Raiders Offensive Line Reserves
T – Thayer Munford Jr – (85/87) offense grade in 2024 over 201 snaps, C+
G – Jordan Meredith – (7/83) offense grade in 2024 over 574 snaps, A- in limited snaps
G – Cody Whitehair – (80/83) offense grade in 2024 over 221 snaps, B to B+
G – Andrus Peat – (83/83) offense grade in 2024 over 57 snaps, C to C+
2024 Raiders Major Offensive Line Metrics
14th in pass blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus
20th in run blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus
20th in pass blocking efficiency
24th in sacks allowed
As you can see from this last metric the Raiders’ offensive line produced at mostly a below average level during the 2024 season. However, the Raiders’ offensive line was talented last season and projects to be even better headed into next season. Kolton Miller at left tackle and Dylan Parham at right guard are among the more talented players at their respective positions. While the remaining three starters had a high ceiling but struggle with youth/inconsistency. The Raiders also had multiple players who were in reserve offensive line roles this past season who are more than capable of starting. Headed into next season, the Raiders project to have an elite offensive line as the young players are in line to come into their own and Las Vegas has made a key addition to their starting offensive line as well. The Raiders’ offensive line lineup heading into the 2025 season can be found below.
Projected 2025 Raiders Starting Offensive
LT – Kolton Miller – B+ to A-
LG – Dylan Parham – B to B+
C – Jackson Powers-Johnson – B to B+
RG – Alex Cappa – B to B+
RT – D.J Glaze – C to C+
Projected 2025 Raiders Offensive Line Reserves
T – Charles Grant – 2025 third rounder
G – Jordan Meredith – A- in limited snaps
C – Will Putnam – UDFA 2024, 0 career snaps
T/G – Caleb Rogers – 2025 third rounder
T – Thayer Munford Jr – C+
T – Gottlieb Ayedze – UDFA 2024, 0 career snaps
C – Jarrod Hufford – UDFA 2025
T – Dalton Wagner – UDFA 2023, 0 career snaps
T – Parker Clements – UDFA 2025
As you can see from the above the Raiders have an abundance of talent on their offensive line headed into next season. Kolton Miller has been a borderline elite left tackle for the past several years in the NFL. Dylan Parham is an above average bordering on well above average starting guard. Jackson Powers-Johnson had a very strong rookie season as a 2024 second-round pick although he played guard as a rookie last season. The Raiders are optimistic he can continue to grow in the NFL as he now transitions to the starting center role. The team has signed veteran Alex Cappa from the Bengals this offseason and are hopeful he can have a bounce back season. Not counting his rookie season in 2018, Cappa graded in the above average to well above average range in terms of an overall offense grade among qualified guards in his first five seasons starting. Cappa unfortunately had a really down year in 2024 with the Bengals as the Bengals put their offensive linemen in positions to fail last season across the board. The Raiders are hopeful that Cappa can bounce back to his old form, still being only thirty years old. As when Cappa is on his A-game he is an above average to a well above average starting NFL guard on a perennial basis. The starting right tackle position as of now is the biggest weakness on the Raiders’ starting offensive front as 2024 third round rookie D.J Glaze is set to fill the role. Glaze had a solid but not spectacular rookie season being drafted relatively high before last season. His improvement headed into year 2 in the NFL will be one of the biggest barometers for the Raiders’ offensive line seeing success next season.
From a depth standpoint on the offensive front, guard Jordan Meredith projects to be one of the premier reserve offensive lineman in the NFL as of now and could eventually even compete for a starting job. With tackle Thayer Munford Jr along with two 2025 third round picks for the Raiders also giving Las Vegas some strong options off the bench. If young players such as Jackson Powers-Johnson, D.J Glaze, and Jordan Meredith really come into their own, along with a veteran in Alex Cappa potentially regaining old form, the Raiders could have an elite offensive line next season that ranks among the best in the NFL. I have conducted a similar analysis of the Raiders’ skill position players during the 2024 season and also headed into the 2025 campaign below.
2024 Raiders Skill Position Players
Wide Receivers
WR – Tre Tucker – (102/110) offense grade in 2024 over 984 snaps, C to C-
WR – Jakobi Meyers – (24/110) offense grade in 2024 over 898 snaps, B to B+
WR – D.J Turner – (106/110) offense grade in 2024 over 359 snaps, D+
WR – Davante Adams – (73/110) offense grade in 2024 over 178 snaps, B+ to A-
WR – Terrace Marshall Jr – (109/110) offense grade in 2024 over 140 snaps, C
WR – Alex Bachman – (107/110) offense grade in 2024 over 178 snaps, D+
WR – Kristian Wilkerson – (94/110) offense grade in 2024 over 45 snaps, C
WR – Ramel Keyton – (101/110) offense grade in 2024 over 44 snaps, D+
WR – Tyreik McCallister – 0 career receptions
Tight Ends
TE – Brock Bowers – (3/45) offense grade in 2024 over 956 snaps, A to A+
TE – Michael Mayer – (39/45) offense grade in 2024 over 461 snaps, C to C-
TE – Harrison Bryant – (33/45) offense grade in 2024 over 213 snaps, C
TE – John Samuel Shenker – 1 career reception
TE – Justin Shorter – 0 career receptions
Running Backs
HB – Alexander Mattison – (48/58) offense grade in 2024 over 444 snaps, C to C+
HB – Ameer Abdullah – (36/58) offense grade in 2024 over 410 snaps, C
HB – Zamir White – (58/58) offense grade in 2024 over 154 snaps, C-
HB – Sincere McCormick – (16/57) offense grade in 2024 over 89 snaps, B+
HB – Chris Collier – 5 career rushing attempts
HB – Dylan Laube – 1 career rushing attempt
As you can see from the above the Raiders’ skill position grouping in 2024 had some talent this past season but struggled in totality. 2024 first round rookie Brock Bowers had one of the most remarkable rookie tight end seasons in NFL history and projects to be a superstar at the position for years to come. Jakobi Meyers at the wide receiver spot has looked strong throughout his career but has consistently had subpar QB play and offensive circumstances he has had to adjust to. As a result, Meyers has never truly had the chance to come into his own in the NFL. I evaluated Meyers as a B to a B+ caliber player and perhaps once he gets into a better offensive situation where he can thrive, he can reach his full potential and start to emerge as closer to an A caliber player. 2023 third round pick Tre Tucker had a solid rookie season but regressed this past season. Perhaps Tucker can build off his strong rookie season headed into 2025 and move past the sophomore slump that he had. A similar story can be said for Raiders’ #2 tight end Michael Mayer who was a 2023 second round pick and had a respectable rookie campaign. Coming off his solid rookie season he regressed in year 2, but just like Tucker being drafted so high and having a decent rookie year, he will be in line to break out in 2025. The Raiders’ running back unit during the 2024 season was amongst the weakest in the NFL although Sincere McCormick was able to give the team strong production in limited action taking his first NFL snaps in 2024.
Headed into next season the Raiders’ skill position grouping projects to be electric as the new general manager has added some strong players. They have selected running back Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft which is rare for a running back to be selected that high. They have also added veteran Raheem Mostert to the backfield, who although he is aging, has had the reputation for being one of the premier #2 backs in the NFL throughout his career. In terms of wide outs, the Raiders have drafted Jack Bech in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft and are hopeful he can emerge as a strong complementary option to Meyers. The projected 2025 skill position lineup for the Raiders can be found below.
Projected 2025 Raiders Skill Position Players
Wide Receivers
WR – Jakobi Meyers – B to B+
WR – Tre Tucker – C to C-
WR – Donte Thornton Jr – 2025 fourth rounder
WR – Jack Bech – 2025 second rounder
WR – Tommy Mellott – 2025 sixth rounder
WR – Alex Bachman – UDFA 2019, 3 career receptions
WR – Collin Johnson – C to C+
WR – Kyle Phillips – C to C+
WR – Shedrick Jackson – UDFA 2023, 0 career receptions
WR – Zakhari Franklin – UDFA 2025
WR – Ketron Jackson Jr – UDFA 2025
WR – Key’Shawn Smith – UDFA 2025
Tight Ends
TE – Brock Bowers – A to A+
TE – Michael Mayer – C to C-
TE – Ian Thomas – D+ to C-
TE – Justin Shorter – 0 career receptions
Running Backs
HB – Ashton Jeanty – 2025 first rounder
HB – Raheem Mostert – B to B+
HB – Sincere McCormick – B+
HB – Zamir White – C-
Headed into next season, Brock Bowers is as good of a tight end as there is in professional football, while Ashton Jeanty, given his draft selection, is as talented as nearly any running back in the NFL. The wide out unit is concerning as I feel the unit is closer to average if not less than average as of now. However, Jakobi Meyers is consistently a strong wide out and could come into his own playing in likely the best offensive circumstances he has ever been placed in. 2023 third rounder Tre Tucker and 2025 second rounder Jack Bech have all the potential in the world and could emerge as strong players in the unit for Vegas next season. From a depth standpoint in terms of skill position players, #2 tight end Michael Mayer was drafted very highly in the second round a few years ago and had a solid rookie season. Raheem Mostert and Sincere McCormick project to be very strong reserve running backs to complement Jeanty. Although Mostert is aging and McCormick has not shown his capabilities over an extended period of snaps.
Overall, headed into next season the Raiders on paper project to have an elite offense. However, they have not proven anything on the field and I do still have some concerns. Concerns such as Geno Smith/Pete Carroll/Chip Kelly only being in year one together. Concerns such as the wide receiver unit being pretty mediocre as of now with perhaps just a good but not a great ceiling. Along with young starting players such as Ashton Jeanty being totally unproven. In year 1 of the Geno Smith era, I think the Raiders will be very good if not great offensively, but it will take until likely year 2 of the era for them to mold into elite form.
