2014 NFL Preview: Everything you need to know about the Oakland Raiders

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Oakland Raiders

Schedule | Roster

The Raiders' long string of mediocrity continued in 2013, as Oakland posted a 4-12 record for the second consecutive season. The Raiders have not made the playoffs since they appeared in Super Bowl XXXVII in 2002, which was also the last time they finished a season with a winning record.

The Raiders started the 2013 season 3-4, which, while not great, looked to have Oakland at least heading in the right direction. However, the Raiders would win just one of their last nine games - including ending the season on a six-game losing streak - and drop their last four by an average of 17 points.

Preseason Power Ranking - #32

Some Raiders' players have talked about a potential trip to the Super Bowl from this group, but there's really nothing all that special about the additions to the team's offense. They'll be more competitive most weeks, but in reality, the playoffs are a long shot. More ...

Key Additions/Departures

Key Additions: QB Matt Schaub, RB Maurice Jones-Drew, WR James Jones, OT Donald Penn, OT Austin Howard, DE Justin Tuck, DE LaMarr Woodley, DT Antonio Smith, CB Carlos Rogers, CB Tarell Brown

Key Departures: RB Rashad Jennings, OT Jared Veldheer, OG Mike Brisiel, DE Lamarr Houston

No team was as active during free agency as the Raiders. Oakland entered the offseason with the most salary cap room in the league, and they put that money to work, signing a large number of big name free agents.

The question now is whether Oakland paid for talent or just names. Maurice Jones-Drew, LaMarr Woodley, Justin Tuck, Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown are all well known, but their performances in 2013 weren't up to the standards they've shown in the past. Health will also be very important, as most of the new additions have found it difficult to shake the injury bug in recent seasons.

More important than that, though, will be the quarterback play. The Raiders traded for Matt Schaub from the Houston Texans with the hope that he can regain his confidence with a change of scenery. Schaub had just 10 touchdown passes compared to 14 interceptions for Houston last season and lost his starting job, but if he can play like he did from 2008-2012 when he made a pair of Pro Bowl appearances, then Oakland definitely made an upgrade under center.

2014 Draft Class

Mack was arguably the best defensive player in the draft, and his slip to fifth overall was the Raiders' gain. Mack showed off incredible versatility in college, which should allow Oakland to utilize his skills all over the field. He will also be surrounded by veterans in the locker room, which should help his transition to the NFL.

The Raiders may have also landed their quarterback of the future with the second-round selection of Derek Carr. Carr was considered a possible late first-round pick, so he provides strong value for Oakland at 36th overall. Carr has already supplanted Matt McGloin as the backup to Schaub, so he could find himself starting this season if the former Texan struggles.

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Dennis Allen
Offensive Coordinator: Greg Olson
Defensive Coordinator: Jason Tarver

Dennis Allen is entering his third season as Oakland's head coach, and if he finishes the season in that position (no guarantee when it comes to this team) he'll become the Raiders' longest tenured coach since Jon Gruden was at the helm from 1998-2001.

For Allen to hold the job, though, he will need to find a way to win. Having gone 8-24 over his first two seasons, a third campaign among the league's bottom feeders would likely see Allen on the way out, especially after all the money Oakland invested in free agency.

2014 Schedule

Despite finishing last season in last place in the AFC West, the Raiders were rewarded with the hardest strength of schedule for the 2014 season. A large chunk of that comes from the fact the other three teams in the AFC West (Broncos, Chargers and Chiefs) all made the postseason last year.

In all, Oakland will play nine games against 2013 playoff teams and will also face stiff competition from the Jets and Cardinals, two teams that just missed out on a postseason berth. So, despite the improvements the Raiders look to have made on both sides of the ball, their difficult schedule will make for a very challenging season.

Bold Predictions

Khalil Mack will win Rookie of the Year. The Raiders bolstered their defense with veteran names like Justin Tuck and LaMarr Woodley this offseason, but there’s little doubt about who the most important player on this unit is: No. 5 overall pick Mack. Look for Mack to make an immediate impact as a pass rusher and tackle stuffer. His wide-ranging skill set should allow him to compile enough stats to impress awards voters. - David Woods

Oakland earns the 2015 1st-overall pick. The Raiders won four games last year and their reward was the toughest 2014 schedule. Oakland is stuck in a division with three teams that made the playoffs last year and it also has to deal with the NFC West, which may have the two best teams in football. The Raiders are officially on the clock. - Michael Amato

Latavius Murray will lead the team in rushing. Yes the Raiders still have Darren McFadden, and they signed Maurice Jones-Drew as a free agent, but the real star of the 2014 backfield will be Latavius Murray. Murray was a sixth-round pick out of UCF in 2013 but missed his entire rookie season due to an ankle injury. Murray brings a great combination of size (6-foot-3, 225 lbs) and speed (4.38 40-yard dash at UCF’s pro day) and he will steal carries from his veteran counterparts early in the season (if they are not already injured) before emerging as the go to guy. - Mike Dickson