Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Post-Super Bowl 53 wrap-up for 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders speaks with head coach Jon Gruden during their NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders speaks with head coach Jon Gruden during their NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

. 4-12 record. . Oakland Raiders. 25. team. 28

While the Broncos’ new coaching staff appears to be all the rage, the Oakland Raiders’ staff sure raised questions last year.

Head coach Jon Gruden isn’t going anywhere, of course, only one year into his massive 10-year contract. But Gruden’s moves last year led to a disgruntled locker room, particularly the veterans, and there are still those wondering whether or not quarterback Derek Carr is going to be in Gruden’s long-term plans.

Maybe. Maybe not. It’s a tough question to answer.

But if you go with the idea Gruden is playing the long game, biding his time until the team finally moves to Las Vegas (it’s still unknown where they’ll play in 2019), the Raiders aren’t in terrible shape at all.

They boast three first-round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, including No. 4 overall pick. And they’ll select early again in Round 2.

Oakland had the league’s worst scoring defense in 2018. So, in a strong defensive draft class, it’s great to see the Raiders owning so many early picks. They’ll need them.