MORE POSITION REVIEWS: Quarterbacks, Safeties, Running Backs, Linebackers, Offensive Line, Defensive Line, Wide Receivers, Cornerbacks, Tight Ends
We've arrived at our final position review, and we've saved the best for last.
The specialists never get enough love, but I'm here today to make sure that happens. This unit has a lot of youth, but they are ringing in the new era of Raiders special teamers; let's discuss.
Overview:
It's crazy to think how much this unit has changed since the start of 2018.
Daniel Carlson just completed his first full season with the Silver and Black this year after joining the Raiders during the first quarter of the 2018 campaign. He had an impressive showing with the team during his rookie year and he grew alongside undrafted free agent long snapper Trent Sieg and former Raiders fifth-round pick Johnny Townsend.
While Carlson and Sieg excelled that year, Townsend did not, and it led the Raiders to weigh their options at punter during the 2019 offseason. At the Senior Bowl last year, the Raiders got to look at some potential punters worthy of drafting, but ultimately, they decided to roll with undrafted free agent AJ Cole from NC State.
Cole earned the job over Townsend after consistently booming punts during training camp, even receiving a lofty comparison from Head Coach Jon Gruden who called him Ray Guy 2.0. The team also decided to move forward with Trent Sieg and Daniel Carlson, making the trio one of the youngest special teams units in the NFL.
As the season progressed, it was clear the chemistry between the trio was strong, and they looked more comfortable with each other, as well as Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Rich Bisaccia.
Not only was there a change at punter, but the Raiders employed a handful of various return men as well. Veteran wide receiver and return specialist Dwayne Harris was the go-to man for a while, but injuries kept him off the field, and the team had to experiment with a few different players.
All in all, the specialists had a quality season for the Silver and Black, and there was a noticeable increase in better field position.
Number to Know:
Seventy-four.
AJ Cole had an excellent rookie season with the Raiders and his best punt of the year came on a 74-yard boot against the Los Angeles Chargers, which was the longest for the team since Shane Lechler had a 76-yard punt on Christmas Eve in 2011 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Entering 2020…
WR/RS Dwayne Harris – Unrestricted Free Agent
K Daniel Carlson – Exclusive-Rights Free Agent
LS Trent Sieg – Exclusive-Rights Free Agent
P AJ Cole – Under Contract
The Raiders finally have a trio of players on special teams they can rely on for the first time in a couple of years and I can't imagine they'll want to break that up. Yes, Carlson's second season with the Raiders had some forgettable moments; however, the coaching staff is confident he'll overcome the adversity he faced this season.
As far as Harris is concerned, he's 32 years young and still can get the job done when he's healthy. With emerging young speedsters on the roster who knows if they'll supplant him, but if I've learned one thing from Harris it's to never doubt him.
Position Group MVP:
Without question, it has to be Cole.
The field position was significantly better in 2019 than it was in 2018 and more importantly the rookie punter was consistent. Like anyone, there's always room for improvement, but Cole was a weapon for the team last year and will continue to be going forward.
Raiders Owner Mark Davis, current players, Raiders alumni, the Raiderettes, and Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak came together to mark the official welcome in the Silver and Black's new permanent home and to usher in a new era for the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World.
A view of Allegiant Stadium before an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
A view of Allegiant Stadium before an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
A view of Allegiant Stadium before an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders executive vice president and general counsel Dan Ventrelle, President Marc Badain, Owner Mark Davis, special guest Larry Delsen, and Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak pose for a photo with a Nevada Raiders plague before an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders executive vice president and general counsel Dan Ventrelle, President Marc Badain, Owner Mark Davis, special guest Larry Delsen, and Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak pose for a photo with a welcome to Nevada sign before an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders executive vice president and general counsel Dan Ventrelle, special guest Larry Delsen, safety Johnathan Abram (24), Owner Mark Davis, Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak and President Marc Badain talk before an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
A view of the stage before an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Construction workers pose for a photo before an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Construction workers gather before an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Construction workers gather before an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Media cameras line up before an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) and tackle Trent Brown (77) pose for a photo before an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders alumni Jim Plunkett and Napoleon McCallum pose for a photo with tight end Darren Waller (83), quarterback Derek Carr (4) and punter AJ Cole (6) before an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
A construction worker wears a Las Vegas Raiders hard hat during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Sports broadcaster John Tournour, aka JT the Brick, MCs during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Sports broadcaster John Tournour, aka JT the Brick, MCs during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders Owner Mark Davis shakes hands with sports broadcaster John Tournour, aka JT the Brick, during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Construction workers during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak walks across the stage during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak walks across the stage during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak walks across the stage during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak shakes hands with Owner Mark Davis during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak declares a proclamation proclaiming "January 22, 2020, as the day to celebrate the renaming of the Las Vegas Raiders," during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak declares a proclamation proclaiming "January 22, 2020, as the day to celebrate the renaming of the Las Vegas Raiders," during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak declares a proclamation proclaiming "January 22, 2020, as the day to celebrate the renaming of the Las Vegas Raiders," during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak declares a proclamation proclaiming "January 22, 2020, as the day to celebrate the renaming of the Las Vegas Raiders," during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Construction workers during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak declares a proclamation proclaiming "January 22, 2020, as the day to celebrate the renaming of the Las Vegas Raiders," during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders Owner Mark Davis and Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak declare a proclamation proclaiming "January 22, 2020, as the day to celebrate the renaming of the Las Vegas Raiders," during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders Owner Mark Davis and Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak declare a proclamation proclaiming "January 22, 2020, as the day to celebrate the renaming of the Las Vegas Raiders," during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders Owner Mark Davis speaks during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Construction workers during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders Owner Mark Davis speaks during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Construction workers during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders Owner Mark Davis speaks during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders Owner Mark Davis speaks during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders Owner Mark Davis speaks during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders Owner Mark Davis speaks during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Construction workers during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
A construction worker carries a Las Vegas Raiders sign onto the stage during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
A construction worker places a Las Vegas Raiders sign on the stage as Owner Mark Davis speaks during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders Owner Mark Davis speaks during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak as he stakes his claim during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak as he stakes his claim during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Construction workers during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders Owner Mark Davis as he stakes his claim during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders President Marc Badain as he stakes his claim during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) as he stakes his claim during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) as he stakes his claim during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) as he stakes his claim during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders long snapper Trent Sieg (47) as he stakes his claim during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) as he stakes his claim during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders alumnus Napoleon McCallum as he stakes his claim during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) as he stakes his claim during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) as he stakes his claim during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee (52) as he stakes his claim during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders alumni Steve Wisniewski as he stakes his claim during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders alumni Marcel Reece as he stakes his claim during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders tackle Trent Brown (77) as he stakes his claim during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders alumnus Jim Plunkett as he stakes his claim during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders Owner Mark Davis and President Marc Badain pose for a photo with the Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak during an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiderettes Julie, Illora, Jekailah, Maddy, and Raiderette director Mandy Voecks pose for a photo following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak shakes hands with construction workers following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and Owner Mark Davis sign autographs for construction workers following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) signs autographs for construction workers following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) signs autographs for construction workers following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) signs autographs for construction workers following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) takes a selfie with a construction worker following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders long snapper Trent Sieg (47) and linebacker Marquel Lee (52) pose for a photo with a construction worker following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) poses for a photo with a construction worker following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders alumnus Jim Plunkett signs autographs for construction workers following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
A Las Vegas Raiders sign in the background as construction workers line up to get players autographs following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) signs an autograph for a construction worker following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee (52) signs an autograph for a construction worker following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders tackle Trent Brown (77) signs autographs for construction workers following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders long snapper Trent Sieg (47) signs an autograph for a construction worker following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Construction workers pose for a photo following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) talks with the media following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders Owner Mark Davis talks to the media following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders Owner Mark Davis talks with the media following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) talks with the media following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) talks with the media, in front of a Raiders sign, following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) stands in front of a Raiders sign, with his image on it, following an official announcement of the Raiders changing their name to the Las Vegas Raiders.
