Unlocking Success: Strategies for the Raiders to Improve Offense with Josh McDaniels in 2023
February 25, 2023
Hunter Macias
Three Key Steps the Las Vegas Raiders Must Take to Build a Top-Tier Offense in the 2023 Season
Las Vegas Raiders
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Three Key Steps the Las Vegas Raiders Must Take to Build a Top-Tier Offense in the 2023 Season
As the Las Vegas Raiders entered the 2022 season with new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and a blockbuster trade for star wide receiver Davante Adams, fans were eager to see the team rise to new heights. However, the Raiders fell short of expectations, finishing with a 6-11 record and a mediocre offense. While the defense was also a factor, the lack of a dominant offense left much to be desired. Ranking 13th in points per game, 12th in yardage, and 16th on third-down conversions, the Raiders failed to establish themselves as an elite offensive unit. Despite being mid-tier in EPA for both the run and pass game, the Raiders still struggled to consistently produce on the field.
With the goal of building a top-tier offense, McDaniels and the Raiders need to take action to achieve success in the 2023 season. Here are three key steps the team must take to make that dream a reality.
1. Utilize More Play Action
To achieve offensive success, the Raiders need to effectively merge their run and passing game, and one key strategy to accomplish this is through play-action passing. Given that the team operated from under center at the third-highest rate in the league last season, play-action passing should have been a core element of their playbook. Unfortunately, they only utilized it 20% of the time and ranked a lowly 25th in play-action rate.
Increased usage of play action has the potential to benefit the Raiders in multiple ways. For one, it would have relieved pressure on the offensive line, as the protection scheme would have mirrored the run play. This would have led to fewer true pass sets and improved efficiency. Additionally, it would have leveraged the success of running back Josh Jacobs and created opportunities for a more efficient passing game.
As the team heads into the offseason, it's crucial to engage in self-scouting and identify areas for improvement in their playbook and strategy. Incorporating more play-action passing and improving connectivity between the run and pass games should be a top priority for offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to maximize the team's potential in the upcoming season.
2. Replace Alex Bars
When it comes to offensive lines, the common saying goes that a unit is only as strong as its weakest link. While a superstar offensive lineman can't single-handedly elevate an entire group, one bad player can spell doom for the entire team. Unfortunately for the Las Vegas Raiders, they are facing this very problem.
During the 2022 season, the Raiders' young offensive line made significant strides. However, one player whose play didn't improve was Alex Bars. The guard's Pro Football Focus grade of 45.4 finished 71st among 77 qualified guards, while Football Outsiders reported he led all right guards in the league with 38 blown blocks. With an interior lineman committing so many errors and losing battles, it's hard to establish consistency on offense.
The Raiders have attempted to address their offensive line troubles by drafting players such as Dylan Parham and Thayer Munford last season and experimenting with multiple options at right guard and tackle. Nevertheless, finding a suitable replacement for Bars must be a top priority for the team. While every other spot on the offensive line could be considered average at the very least, the same can't be said for Bars. If the Raiders want to field the best offensive line they've had in some time, they need to replace their weakest link.
A strong offensive line could make all the difference for the Raiders. While it's difficult to say what the future holds for the team, one thing is clear: they need a consistent, reliable offensive line to succeed.
3. Add Depth to the Receiving Corps
The Las Vegas Raiders were hoping for big things from their receiving corps in the 2022 season. With the addition of Davante Adams, widely regarded as one of the league's top wideouts, along with established talent in Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow, expectations were high for a formidable trio to support quarterback Derek Carr.
However, reality proved to be far different from what was predicted on paper. Renfrow's production dipped considerably, in part due to a series of injuries that restricted him to only 10 games. Waller, who was projected to have a bounce-back season, failed to deliver in a significant way. Together, the two receivers combined for a paltry 5 touchdowns and less than 400 receiving yards.
While Mack Hollins emerged as a pleasant surprise and ultimately earned the title of the team's No. 2 receiver, it's worth noting that the 29-year-old had previously been a relatively insignificant target for both the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins. While Hollins may be a decent complimentary piece, if he's expected to carry the load as the Raiders' No. 2 option, the receiving corps is clearly in need of additional support.
To be sure, Adams' numbers were nothing short of jaw-dropping, with 1,516 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns on 100 catches. However, relying on one superstar to carry the entire load is not a sustainable strategy. The Raiders will need to seek out additional playmakers in the off-season to create a more balanced attack.
While the 2023 wide receiver free-agent class appears to be relatively thin, there is always the possibility of addressing the need through the draft. Nonetheless, the Las Vegas front office will need to get creative in their pursuit of suitable talent to complement the already-established stars on the team's roster.
Summary:
The Las Vegas Raiders disappointed fans in the 2022 NFL season, finishing with a 6-11 record and a mediocre offense despite the acquisition of star wide receiver Davante Adams and new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. To improve in the 2023 season, the Raiders need to take three key steps: utilize more play action, replace weak link Alex Bars on the offensive line, and add depth to the receiving corps. Increasing the use of play action passing can help merge the team's run and passing game and relieve pressure on the offensive line. Replacing Alex Bars, whose poor performance was a weakness in the offensive line, is crucial to establishing consistency on offense. Lastly, adding depth to the receiving corps is necessary to support established talent and create a more balanced attack, rather than relying solely on one superstar.