It's that time of year again; the time of year when we take a look around the NFL spectrum and see where the Oakland Raiders rank among the rest of the teams in the league. While the NFL season hasn't officially kicked off yet, and a majority of these power rankings are based off of post-draft analysis, as and preseason analysis, it's still interesting to check out where the Silver and Black stand.
After returning to the postseason for the first time in 14 years last season, the Raiders have let fans and analysts know that they're determined to win. Since joining the team in 2015, Head Coach Jack Del Rio has coined the phrase "Return to Greatness," and is in the midst of trying to help his group return to the postseason in back-to-back seasons.
Before Week 3 of the preseason gets underway, here's where the Raiders currently rank in the power rankings.
Current Ranking: No. 9
Previous Ranking: No. 9
Movement: N/A
Analysis: N/A
Current Ranking: No. 7
Previous Ranking: No. 7
Movement: N/A
Analysis: Jared Cook and Marshawn Lynch add some attitude to the offense. Derek Carr looks to build on his breakout season. The Raiders went 12-4 but washed out early in the playoffs because of Carr's ill-timed broken leg. So they're all-in for a title before they head off to Las Vegas in a couple of years.
Current Ranking: No. 4
Previous Ranking: No. 3
Movement: Down 1
Analysis: Hearing bigly things about Marshawn Lynch at Raiders camp, while Oakland can make a case against any of the teams immediately below. Much like Atlanta, there are league observers who wonder about the shift in offensive philosophy, post-Bill Musgrave. The other side of the ball has been problematic for Jack Del Rio, save for an abysmal playoff game at NRG Stadium. Still, you don't want to overreact to an unwatchable postseason game in Houston. The Texans did that with Brian Hoyer, then spent Derek Carr-type money on Brock Osweiler. We saw how that worked out. One last thought: Mario Edwards Jr. being healthy could loom large for this team, albeit under the radar.
Current Ranking: No. 9
Previous Ranking: No.11
Movement: Up 2
Analysis: There are only a few training camp holdouts this year, and Raiders left tackle Donald Penn was the most surprising one. Penn isn't happy with his contract and reportedly wants to be paid like a top-10 left tackle. He has played at that level with Oakland. The Raiders are in a tough spot. If they cave, what's to prevent a few other starters from doing this next year? On the other hand, they really need Penn. He has some leverage.
Current Ranking: No. 6
Previous Ranking: No. 11
Movement: Up 5
Analysis: N/A
Current Ranking: No. 6
Previous Ranking: No. 6
Movement: N/A
Current Ranking: No. 7
Previous Ranking: No. 5
Movement: Down 2
Analysis: Getting Derek Carr back healthy is the most important thing about their offseason. If he's back, they should win the AFC West.
Current Ranking: No. 7
Previous Ranking: No. 11
Movement: Up 4
Analysis: Derek Carr landed the five-year extension that, at least for the time, makes him the NFL's highest-paid player. Once the season starts, however, Marshawn Lynch may seize the spotlight in Oakland.
