By Jack McNicholas

Teams to Watch 2022 continues with the Las Vegas Raiders. After what was a successful campaign for the Raiders in their second season in Last Vegas when it comes to winning totals. The adversity faced within the franchise will improve with the strides the team has made to improve this offseason. With former New England Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels now a the helm, this team will be hoping to grow on their playoff run in 2021 and finish best in the competitive AFC West. In 2022, how will they fare as the division has only gotten more competitive? Now with the Chiefs still favorites to win the division, Justin Herbert entering year three after two productive seasons in LA and the Broncos who were at the bottom of the division now have Russell Wilson behind center. The Raiders have added key pieces this offseason to help them improve their impressive 10-7 record last season. 

On the defensive side of the ball premier pass rusher, Maxx Crosby will be paired with Chandler Jones With former Packers wide receiver Devante Adams now joining the offense we get to see him and Derek Carr get to work together for the first time since the 2013-2014 college football season. If you don’t already know, Davante Adams is considered one of the most productive wide receivers over the past decade but the Raiders will find themselves acquiring him at his prime. Over the past two seasons. Adams has 381 targets, 138 catches, 2,927 yards, and 29 touchdowns.

No receiver has these numbers and Carr not only gets a top target along with Darren Waller but he was also secured with a new three-year 121.5 million dollar deal that will keep him in Last Vegas until 2025. Now that Carr has security and a new coach I believe they could be true contenders last year. Many would argue that the Raiders had an issue with the officials in the playoffs, however, they were defeated by the Bengals who found their way to the Superbowl. The Raiders as a team dealt with a lot of internal issues last season which will now be gone.