The Oakland Raiders had one of the most active offseasons of any team in the NFL and after general manager Reggie McKenzie drafted quarterback Tyler Wilson in the fourth round, fans became even more excited about the season and the possibility of a battle with Wilson and Matt Flynn.
So far head coach Dennis Allen has said that Flynn will be the starter heading into training camp, but Flynn was beat out once already after joining a new team by a man with the last name of Wilson, as that happened last season after he signed with Seattle and lost the starting job to Russell Wilson. While the situations are different, Flynn has to prove that he can handle starting for the first time in his career, or the chants for Wilson to start will get louder.
Wilson was a star at Arkansas and he slipped into the fourth after having a solid senior season, but the team fell off and that is why he dropped. Flynn was acquired in a trade and that will give him the inside edge, but with McKenzie and Allen looking for a quick turnaround, if the team plays well but Flynn doesn't, Wilson might get some playing time. Terrelle Pryor has been jumped over by Wilson on the depth chart and training camp will be the next chance for him to show what he can do.
The Raiders went offense in the draft with Wilson, Menelik Watson, Latavius Murray and Brice Butler as well as Nick Kasa and the team is hoping those players can step up and contribute. The team wants a big year from Darren McFadden after he has been hurt over the past few seasons and he needs it, as his contract is up and if he is hurt there is a good chance he won't get an extension. The team is also hoping for big things from Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore and Flynn is looking to get into a grove with both players.
The defense is expected to be much better as well, as McKenzie added some big names in Tracy Porter, Charles Woodson, Nick Roach, Mike Jenkins and Kevin Burnett to a unit that ranked in the middle of the NFL. The team is working on new schemes and the secondary should be much better after drafting DJ Hayden as well and depending on how he recovers from surgery, he will likely be a starter. Woodson will provide veteran leadership and the team expects to be better than the 4-12 record they had last year.
CLICK here for information on Wilson and his interview with SB Nation.
