The Raiders concluded their 2019 campaign with a 7-9 record and a three-win improvement from their 2018 season. The team is scheduled to have five total picks in the first 90 selections in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft.
The 2019 offense for the Silver and Black produced two Pro Bowlers in T Trent Brown and C Rodney Hudson. Brown earned his first selection to the all-star game after appearing and starting in 11 contests in his first season with the club, surrendering just one sack in 326 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Hudson, a three-time selection, gave up zero sacks in 527 pass-blocking snaps, and was graded as the NFL's No. 1 center in pass-blocking situations by PFF. Additionally, G Richie Incognito, FB Alec Ingold, RB Josh Jacobs and TE Darren Waller were named as alternates for the annual contest.
At the helm was QB Derek Carr, who completed his sixth season as starting quarterback for the Silver and Black. Carr completed a career-high and new franchise-record 70.4 percent of his passes this season, finishing 361-of-513, and became the first quarterback in franchise history to record multiple seasons with at least 4,000 passing yards. His completion percentage ranked second in the NFL this season and stands as the eighth-best completion percentage for a single season in NFL history. His career-high 4,054 passing yards ranks second in club history and finished eighth in the NFL. With 21 touchdowns through the air, Carr became the seventh quarterback in NFL history to toss at least 20 scores in five of his first six years in the league, while breaking a tie with Rich Gannon and Daryle Lamonica for most such seasons in Raiders history. Carr also earned a career-high 100.8 passer rating, joining Ken Stabler as the only two quarterbacks in franchise history to surpass the 100-point barrier.
On the ground, Jacobs became the first rookie in franchise annals to surpass 1,000 rushing yards. Jacobs finished with 1,150 yards on 242 carries with seven touchdowns, adding 20 receptions for 166 yards. Jacobs led all rookies in every major rushing category in 2019, while breaking the club record for most 100-yard contests (five) by a rookie en route to two NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month awards, the only player in team history with multiple Rookie of the Month honors. Missing three games due to injury, Jacobs' 1,150 rushing yards in his first 13 contests rank fourth in NFL history among players 21-years-old or younger.
Darren Waller put together one of the finest campaigns by a tight end in franchise history, posting 90 receptions for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns, while breaking the club record for most 100- yard receiving contests (five) by a tight end. Waller's five 100-yard contests ranked first in the NFL among tight ends this season, while his yards and receptions both placed second.
Raiders rookie WR Hunter Renfrow finished with the second-most receptions (49) by a rookie in team annals and newcomer WR Tyrell Williams led the team in receiving touchdowns (six). TE Foster Moreau led all rookie tight ends in receiving touchdowns (five) and helped the Raiders rookies lead the NFL in scrimmage touchdowns (17) amongst their draft class.
Defensively, rookie DE Maxx Crosby led the Raiders with 10 sacks on the year, second-most among rookies this season and second most by a rookie in club lore. Crosby also added four forced fumbles on the season and became just the fourth rookie since at least 2000 to finish with double-digit sacks and four forced fumbles. Crosby became the second rookie in club history to earn AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after logging four sacks in Week 11, the most by a rookie in Raiders history and tied for second-most by a rookie in NFL history. Rookie DE Clelin Ferrell added 4.5 sacks himself, helping the Raiders rookie class lead the NFL with 14.5 sacks among their draft class.
Tahir Whitehead recorded his fourth consecutive 100-tackle campaign, leading the team with 108 stops (79 solo). S Erik Harris finished second on the unit with 68 stops (59) and led the club in interceptions (three), while also becoming the first Raider to return two interceptions for scores since 2007. Rookie CB Trayvon Mullen led the club with 10 passes defensed, the most by a Raiders rookie since CB Charles Woodson's 22 in 1998.
On special teams, P AJ Cole set rookie club records in punting average (46.0 avg.), net average (39.4 avg.) and punts downed inside the 20-yard line (33). Cole's 33 punts inside the 20-yard line are third most in franchise history. Cole also booted a 74-yard punt in 2019, the third-longest punt in team history and tied for the sixth-longest by a rookie in NFL history.
Here's who led every major statistical category in 2019:
Passing Touchdowns – Derek Carr, 21
Passing Yards – Derek Carr, 4,054
Carries – Josh Jacobs, 242
Rushing Yards – Josh Jacobs, 1,150
Rushing Touchdowns – Josh Jacobs, 7
Receptions – Darren Waller, 90
Receiving Yards – Darren Waller, 1,145
Receiving Touchdowns – Tyrell Williams, 6
Sacks – Maxx Crosby, 10
Interceptions – Erik Harris, 3
Tackles – Tahir Whitehead, 108
