Tight End Jared Cook
With the Oakland Raiders set to embark on their bye week, this seems like the perfect time to take a look at the team's statistical leaders through a little more than half of the season.
Check out who's leading the way below:
Passing Yards
Carr is the Raiders' established franchise quarterback, and has grown into one of the better signal-callers in the NFL. It's obvious he would have the most passing yards (1,954), and passing touchdowns of anyone on the team (13) at this point of the season, but the statistic that stands out is his completion percentage. Through eight games – he missed Week 5 with a back injury – Carr has the best completion percentage of his career at 65.2. Since his rookie season, Carr has continued to improve in the category, and is well on his way to finishing the season with a new personal best.
Rushing Yards
When running back Latavius Murray left for the Minnesota Vikings in free agency, the door was left wide open for Marshawn Lynch to come in and take over the primary back duties. In the eight games "Beast Mode" has started, he's provided the Raiders with what they were looking for, a physical runner. Lynch currently leads the team in rushing at 323 yards, and has four touchdowns as well. While those might not be eye-popping numbers, his ability to slow the game down and move the chains is his calling card. After a strong performance against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday Night Football, where No. 24 rushed for 57 yards and two touchdowns, I expect to see the Oakland-native get rolling in the second half of the season.
Receiving Yards
Sometimes things just click, and when tight end Jared Cook joined the Silver and Black during the offseason it was clear there was a spark between No. 87 and Carr. From Cook's initial interview, to training camp, and present day, he's praised the former Fresno State Bulldog's talent, and he's been able to benefit from it. With a team-high 39 receptions, Cook is the Raiders' leading receiver with 499 yards to his name. He's not only a mere 13 receptions shy of tying his career-high (52), but is just 261 yards away from surpassing his career-high in receiving yards (759) set during his third season in the NFL. Carr's stated on multiple occasions that Cook is a special player to have in the offensive tool kit because he forces so many mismatches with his size and speed, and with seven games left, I don't see Cook's production stopping anytime soon.
Tackles
Cornerback TJ Carrie has had a strong season, notching 50 tackles, and four passes defensed over the course of eight starts. Among the members of the Raiders secondary, No. 38 has been a bright spot, and in his fourth season is holding opposing receivers in check – most recently Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry who totaled 32 yards in Week 9. Carrie has also recovered a fumble, and will try to get the team's first interception of the season in Week 11 against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
Sacks
Who else but the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Khalil Mack?
The Raiders defensive line has seen production from an assortment of players, such as Bruce Irvin, and defensive end Mario Edwards Jr.; No. 52 is currently leading the way with 4.5 sacks, but don't let that be an indication of his impact on the field. Mack's ability to draw double teams and disrupt the line of scrimmage, as well as hinder the rushing attack, makes him one of the premier defenders in the NFL.
Kicking
Entering the 2017 campaign, it was assumed veteran kicker Sebastian Janikowski would handle the kickoffs, point after attempts, and field goals, but was placed on the Injured/Reserve list instead back in September.
Enter Giorgio Tavecchio.
The former University of California, Berkeley has been a participant in the Raiders Training Camp for five years now, but was never able to make the 53-man roster; however, this year is the exception. Through his first nine games at the professional level, Tavecchio has netted 12 field goals, his longest being a 53-yard boot, and 22 PATs.
