Las Vegas Raiders 2023-24 Season Guidebook

While the summer season brings much enjoyment to the average person, for an NFL fan, it represents a desolate wasteland where Sundays just aren't quite as vibrant as in the autumn months.  However, with each passing day, we inch closer to the beginning of the 2023 NFL season, which officially kicks off on September 7 this year.

Whether you've had your favorite team's tweet notifications turned on all summer or if you've decided to tune out all football news entirely, you'll be able to learn everything you need to know about your team going into the 2023-24 season right here.
 
In today's article, I'll be discussing the Las Vegas Raiders.

I wrote a guidebook for every team in the NFL heading into the 2023 season.  To check out an article for another team, click the link below:
https://www.bucketsquadsportsreports.com/nfl

2022 Season Recap

2022 was a disappointment for the Raiders, who went 6-11 for a 3rd place finish in the AFC West under first-year head coach Josh McDaniels.  They were simply inconsistent offensively and bad on defense.  Their most memorable moment was a wild fumble return for a touchdown to beat the Patriots as time expired in Week 15.
 
Significant Roster Moves

Las Vegas made a host of changes to the roster in the offseason, most notably letting Derek Carr walk.  Carr’s backup, Jarrett Stidham, also departed to join their division rival Broncos.  Other notable departures are safety Duron Harmon, corners Anthony Averett and Rock Ya-Sin, linebackers Jayon Brown and Denzel Perryman, and pass catchers Darren Waller, Foster Moreau, and Mack Hollins.
 
The Raiders signed Jimmy Garoppolo to become their next QB1 along with a host of receivers and DBs.  Marcus Epps, Brandon Facyson, Marcus Peters, and Duke Shelley will all get tons of playing time in the secondary and Robert Spillane will lead the defense at middle linebacker.  DeAndre Carter, Phillip Dorsett, and Jakobi Meyers add depth at receiver while Austin Hooper will be Darren Waller’s replacement at tight end.
 
2023 Draft Class

The Raiders had nine draft picks this year.  While Tyree Wilson and Michael Mayer will contribute immediately, along with a couple of the other guys in smaller roles, the biggest surprise so far has been 4thround QB Aidan O’Connell out of Purdue.  O’Connell has impressed in the preseason and has performed perhaps better than any rookie so far of this year’s class.  We’ll see how he progresses throughout his career as he’s set to learn behind two veterans.
 
Season Schedule

The Raiders will take on the AFC East and the NFC North in 2023 to go along with their six divisional games.  Their other three opponents are the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and Indianapolis Colts.  With an opponent prior season win percentage of .524, Las Vegas has the 10th hardest schedule in the NFL.

Vegas’ primetime games include one Thursday night game versus the LA Chargers, two Sunday night games versus Pittsburgh and the New York Jets, and two Monday night games versus Green Bay and at Detroit.
 
Depth Charts

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

The Raiders return 16 of their 22 offensive and defensive starters from last year.  While they lost a bunch of guys in the offseason, Las Vegas did a good job replenishing the roster and bringing in outside talent in their areas of weakness.  The defense badly needed help and should be better stopping the run and the pass this season.  It’s unclear whether the offense will succeed under Jimmy G, but the good news for Raiders fans is that Josh Jacobs has decided to end his holdout and report to the team in preparation for the regular season to begin.
 
Coaching Staff

Josh McDaniels returns for his 2nd season as head coach of the Raiders.  All three coordinators return for their 2nd season in their respective roles as well: Offensive Coordinator Mick Lombardi, Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham, and Special Teams Coordinator Tom McMahon. 
 
Betting Odds

Oddsmakers have set the regular season win total for Las Vegas at 6.5 games.  As of right now, the Raiders are the least likely team to win the AFC West and are the 3rd least likely team to win the AFC as a whole.  At +8000 to win Super Bowl LVIII, they are tied for 25th among all teams in the league.
 
Bucket Squad Predictions

Bucket Squad Sports Reports predicts the Raiders to finish 5-12 in 2023 for last in the AFC West and 14th in the AFC.  They’ll be below average on both sides of the ball and fail to make the postseason in their first season post Derek Carr.

What do you think?  Will Las Vegas be better or worse than I'm projecting?  What offseason moves made by the Raiders surprised you the most?  Leave a comment down below and be sure to check the "NFL" section of the website for more NFL team guidebooks as I finish them.

Written by Nick Swatson