Raiders ranked higher than expected in 'way to early' power rankings for 2023
The Las Vegas Raiders 2023 season hasn't even started yet, and, the 2022 season just ended, yet, the media already has higher expectations than what they should. Yeah, it's always cool to see the media have a little more faith in your team, but at the same time, they are getting fans' hopes up, and […]
The Las Vegas Raiders 2023 season hasn't even started yet, and, the 2022 season just ended, yet, the media already has higher expectations than what they should.
Yeah, it's always cool to see the media have a little more faith in your team, but at the same time, they are getting fans' hopes up, and we don't want to do that.
If you keep low expectations, it's harder to be let down.
ESPN does a way too early power rankings every year after the Super Bowl, and the one they came out with this year is just a tad bit off.
Paul Gutierrez of ESPN has the Raiders ranked at 21st, which would be great with how the roster is currently constructed. In fact, that is better than what they did last year, so, it's an improvement.
This is why Gutierrez ranked the Raiders where he did:
"Paraphrasing Bob Dylan seems appropriate in Las Vegas, especially with Derek Carr on his way out after nine seasons as the Raiders quarterback. Carr, who was benched with two games to go, holds nearly every passing record in franchise history but also a career record of just 63-79. So whoever the next Las Vegas QB is — Jimmy Garoppolo? Jarrett Stidham? Draft pick TBD? — will usher in change in a way not seen in the streets of Silver and Blackdom since perhaps when Carson Palmer landed there in 2011."
But, because of how the roster is constructed, I don't think they get that high. In fact, I think they are closer to a bottom-five team.
As currently constructed, their only quarterback is Jarret Stidham, who has never been the guy in the league. They also don't have a defense and the offensive line needs help.
There are so many things wrong with this team, and a lot of them may not be fixed in the offseason.
You can read the rest of the rankings here.
Featured Image Via Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sportsv
