The 2022 season was abysmal for the Las Vegas Raiders. So much talent, and so much promise, none of which came to fruition.
At the beginning of the season, the Las Vegas Raiders were expected to triumph. Their season specials, touchdown rates, and pass percentages were all top-tier. It was their off-season that predicted so much promise, but in the end, they didn’t live up to expectations.
Ending the season on 6-11, they didn’t even make the playoffs.
The dramatic blow told the Raiders two things – don’t trust the off-season, and something needs to change.
For Las Vegas, the changes are simple – 3 players have to go.
Rock Ya-Sin – Cornerback
Ya-Sin is the main starting cornerback on the team. He started 9 games but played in 11. Although he had all this time to balance his play and develop with the team, Ya-Sin never made a real impact.
Looking at the stats alone, we can see that his figures are low. He defended just 7 passes and claimed 45 tackles. His completion percentage is a measly 60.9% and his passing rate is a shocking 82.6%.
This season Ya-Sin reached a career low.
Ya-Sin was meant to be a powerful player. He was picked in the second round and proved himself while working with the Indianapolis Colts. He made the switch to Las Vegas in 2022, but since the move, it has all gone downhill.
Because Ya-Sin didn’t live up to his expectations, he isn’t worth his price. We don’t see how the Raiders could keep the player on side.
Clelin Ferrell – Defensive End
Ya-Sin wasn’t the only player who failed the team. Football is a group sport. One bad player shouldn’t rock the boat too much.
If Ya-Sin was never signed in, that doesn’t mean Las Vegas would have reached the playoffs and become the favorites for the Super Bowl LVII lines. Multiple players failed the team.
The second player the Raiders should dump is Clelin Ferrell. He didn’t reach his potential either. He didn’t just fail Las Vegas, he has also disappointed his future prospects.
Ferrell was a 4th overall pick from the 2019 drafts. He should have been playing at peak level and adapting to fit his new team. But it seems like college football was where he flourished, and these new pressures are simply too much.
Ferrell was meant to be a dominating pass-rusher. He was predicted to smash through the current contenders. But in the end, he only completed 26 tackles, 8 quarterback hits, 2 defended passes and 2 stacks.
From 4th place drafted to these pitiful numbers – Ferrell was overpriced and overpredicted.
The Raiders will have to weigh up their costs. They spent a lot of money on Ferrell, and he could need a new coaching technique or some time to adjust. But because the team flopped so dramatically, Las Vegas may prefer to trade their player for someone just as expensive but actually worth their salt.
It’s a tough choice, but we think it’s time to say goodbye.
Derek Carr – Quarterback
Although football is a team sport, some positions have more responsibilities than others. Quarterbacks are the perfect example of these exceptions.
Unfortunately for Carr, the weight of his role became evident this season. Although Carr has played for the Raiders since 2014, it seems like the crowd favorite has burned out.
The new head coach, Josh McDaniels must have sensed the same thing, as he swapped Carr for Jarrett Stidham when Carr was hitting a downward spiral.
Stidham seems more competent in the role, so it makes sense for him to take over the lead position.
Many people are saying that Carr was the reason for Las Vegas’ massive failure, but it takes more than one to betray a team. Still, we cannot ignore the embarrassing numbers the quarterback has been creating.
Before now, Carr’s record has been solid. He was a good quarterback and was making waves in the NFL community. Large contracts were being signed, and other teams were offing trade deals.
Something changed this season. Carr may have lost his edge.
If the Raiders don’t boot him out, they might bench their once-best player and try to regroup his talents.
Either way, Carr cannot carry on the way he has been. Something needs to change.
Final Thoughts
The Las Vegas Raiders have a lot to think about this season. Their team was predicted to skate through the game and some betting sites even had predictions on the Super Bowl too. Yet all of that promise went down the toilet when the team couldn’t even make the playoffs.
Rock Ya-Sin, Clelin Ferrell, and Derek Carr all failed their team.
Each was meant to be fantastic in their position. On paper, the trio should smash through the weaker teams. And yet when push came to shove, none of them had the enthusiasm to do what they must.
If the Raiders want to do better next season, then they need to regroup in the off-season. This means removing the three deadweight players or changing their coaching tactics to get them back on track.
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