Las Vegas Raiders

Oakland Raiders: Rookie First Quarter Report Cards

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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What did the Oakland Raiders’ rookies show through the first four weeks of the 2016 season? Who lived up to expectations and who fell flat?

The Oakland Raiders have put their 2016 draft class to the test by design or due to injuries through the first quarter of the season. In a rookie class that includes seven, the coaching staff has called upon six to help the team toward a 3-1 record.

With coaches and analysts singing praises for quarterback Derek Carr, rookie Connor Cook can expect to remain a healthy scratch. As a result, the first-year signal-caller won’t appear in this first quarter report.

As for those in action, we can only judge the existing film, not what the player could become in the next few weeks. Some rookies have flourished in various roles, others floundered and a few players stand in between the two extremes.

Thus far, second-round pick Jihad Ward played the most snaps among the rookies as a replacement for defensive lineman Mario Edwards. At times, more snaps don’t equal increased production. How does he fare compared to his fellow rookies who recently earned extra snaps?

After surrendering 500-plus yards in the first two weeks, the coaching staff decided to shake up the defense, which benefited two other rookies. How do they grade in their starting performances?

We’ll break down six rookies through Week 4 with analysis and film study notes.

*Player snaps counts provided by Pro Football Focus.

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) reaches for a pass that was intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Chris Moore (10) in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Karl Joseph: A-

The coaching staff started the season with safety Keith McGill alongside Reggie Nelson in the secondary. After two poor outings for the pass defense, head coach Jack Del Rio decided to insert the first-round pick into the starting lineup. Then, like a flipped light switch, the pass coverage improved; albeit against less explosive offensive attacks.

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Joseph didn’t cure all of the Raiders’ coverage ills, but he’s left his mark on the defense. Unlike McGill, Joseph can interchange roles with Nelson in centerfield. He’s also a capable blitzer off the edge for extra pocket pressure.

In Week 3, Joseph relentlessly chased Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota toward an incoming defender, which led to a forced fumble. He covers sideline to sideline with a focus on the football. His tenacity puts ball-carriers in uncomfortable spots on the field.

He’s not putting direct impact plays on film yet, but he’s a difference-maker when shadowing tight ends, chasing down ball-carriers, and stepping up to the line of scrimmage.

McGill put together an impressive preseason, but Joseph adds versatility to the position. He’s also been more active around live action. The rookie has clearly healed from a torn ACL with the same vigor shown on his West Virginia film tape.

September 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Jihad Ward (95) during the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Jihad Ward: D

Many compared the 2016 second-round pick to the Edwards last year. However, there’s a huge difference between the two talents. Ward hasn’t played the position nearly as long as his counterpart. He started as a receiver-safety before transitioning to defensive lineman as a junior at Illinois.

Through four games, it’s clear Ward still needs work on his technique to plug gaps in run defense and occasionally rattle the quarterback. The Raiders’ run defense ranks No. 31 in yards allowed. Some of the blame falls on the rookie’s inability to shed blocks on the edge.

Offensive linemen have successfully kept Ward out of the fray and locked him up, which hinders his ability to tackle ball-carriers. Thus far, he’s logged four total tackles and earned the worst overall grade among interior defenders on the roster, per Pro Football Focus.

Two quarterback hurries, per sportingcharts.com, doesn’t warrant enough positives to elevate his overall grade above a D. He’s spent the most time on the field among the rookies, but he’s still in developmental mode.

Edwards can return to the active roster for the team’s Week 9 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Until then, the Raiders need Ward to show improvement through the second quarter of the season.

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Shilique Calhoun (91) during a NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. The Titans defeated the Raiders 27-14. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Shilique Calhoun: F

Similar to Ward, third-round pick Shilique Calhoun hasn’t impacted the game through the first four weeks. Offensive linemen often pushed him aside on rush downs. Thus far, Calhoun has logged 83 total snaps and zero tackles.

Over the past two weeks, Calhoun’s snaps have increased as a replacement for edge-rushers Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin on occasion. However, poor positioning on runs headed in his direction stands out on film. NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein pinpointed the same issues during his collegiate years:

Calhoun may need to become tougher against the run before he is handed a starters position, but the skill¬set is there if he can unlock it.

In fairness to Calhoun, he’s learning a new position as a rotational edge-rusher. At Michigan State, he started as a defensive end. Though, in 4-2-5 nickel packages, he occasionally takes a few snaps while Mack and Irvin catch a break on the sideline.

Overall, he’s yet to find his way in defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr.’s system.

On several plays against the Baltimore Ravens, running back Terrance West ran directly toward Calhoun’s side. Based on the rookie’s zero tackles for the season, West managed to break out for a gain or avoid Calhoun completely.

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) runs with the ball in the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

DeAndre Washington: B

Running back DeAndre Washington didn’t show up in the regular-season opener but picked up his production thereafter. After Week 1, he’s logged at least five carries in each contest and averaged six or more yards per carry with at least one reception. It’s not a major contribution, but it’s decent in a limited role within a three-man backfield.

Washington fumbled against the Ravens in Week 4, but his overall body of work looks solid.

Throughout the offseason, the Raiders re-affirmed their plan to feed Murray as the starter, which leaves the leftovers for Washington and Jalen Richard. Minus the fumble, Washington squeezes the most out of his opportunities as a ball-carrier. As a shifty runner with quickness, he’s successfully broke through lanes behind a top-tier offensive line.

Some fans seem more impressed with Richard between the two running backs, but the undrafted rookie also contributes on special teams, which gives him an edge in overall production.

However, Washington has caught every pass thrown in his direction. As the season progresses, his hands will be critical on third-down conversions. As Carr warms up to his speedy check-down option, we’ll see Washington flash in the passing attack as a viable receiving weapon.

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Cory James (57) and defensive back Antonio Hamilton (32) tackle Tennessee Titans tight end Phillip Supernaw (89) during a NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. The Titans defeated the Raiders 27-14. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Cory James: A-

Linebacker Cory James started at linebacker during the same week Joseph took over at safety. The sixth-round pick also contributes to the improved coverage against tight ends across the middle and down the seam. The Colorado State product struggled in his final collegiate season as a middle linebacker, but he burst onto the scene with a solid performance on the inside.

The Raiders couldn’t afford to watch Ben Heeney blow coverage assignments near midfield, which led to James’ emergence as an option at the position. In two starts, he’s logged 21 total tackles. According to Pro Football Focus, he also grades as the best linebacker in coverage by a wide margin.

With Heeney on injured reserve with an ankle injury and Malcolm Smith hobbled with a groin issue, the Raiders need all hands on deck at linebacker. If Smith misses time, James will lead the position, as a rookie, alongside newcomer Perry Riley, who joined the team on Tuesday.

The Raiders didn’t draft an inside linebacker with an early pick in the draft. The front office essentially pushed all their chips to the middle of the table with Heeney. Fortunately, James exceeded expectations and looks far better than just a special teams asset.

Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders guard Vadal Alexander (74) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Vadal Alexander: B-

Seventh-round pick Vadal Alexander took a turn as the starting right tackle with Menelik Watson and Austin Howard sidelined due to injuries. As a fill-in, the LSU product performed adequately on the road against the Tennessee Titans. However, he struggled mightily with penalties last week in Baltimore. Mental errors and crowd noise likely factored into his holding and false start infractions.

Nonetheless, Alexander upheld the primary duty as a perimeter tackle: keeping the quarterback out of trouble. He’s already played more snaps than his veteran counterparts at the position. With experience, his tendency to draw penalties will decrease over time.

Despite a rough preseason showing at right tackle, Alexander could potentially fill Khalif Barnes’ role as a utility offensive lineman able to block inside and outside. He started two seasons at left guard during his time at LSU.

At this point, the Raiders have shuffled linemen due to injuries, but the unit remains one of the best in the league. Opposing defenses have only sacked Carr once, and the rushing offense averages 5.3 yards per carry, which ranks No. 2 in the league.

It’s unclear whether Alexander starts in Week 5, but offensive line coach Mike Tice deserves credit for developing his rookie into a decent starter within a short time span.

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