Las Vegas Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler and assistant general manager Champ Kelly had key voices in the draft decisions of teams that acquired immediate contributors and long-term starters in every round of the NFL Draft. Together, they can turn the tide on the Raiders’ draft track record.
The Raiders had five first-round picks between the 2019 and 2020 drafts. At the very least, a few of those players should be the bedrock core for the team’s future. Instead, it seems as though running back Josh Jacobs is the only draftee with a shot to play on a fifth-year option.
Defensive end Clelin Ferrell has gone from a rookie starter to a third-year afterthought (played 24 percent of the snaps in 2021). Safety Johnathan Abram showed minimal improvement under former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. He’s still a major liability in coverage and a physical playstyle that does more harm than good, missing 21 contests in three years. Don’t give up on Alex Leatherwood yet, but he’s off to a rough start, allowing eight sacks and committing 14 penalties in 2021, per Pro Football Focus.
This past season, the Raiders waived wideout Henry Ruggs III and cornerback Damon Arnette. The former had been involved in a car accident that resulted in a death, and the latter made threats while brandishing a firearm on Instagram.
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The Jon Gruden-Mike Mayock administration found some Day 3 gems in edge-rusher Maxx Crosby, wideout Hunter Renfrow and slot cornerback Nate Hobbs. However, they didn’t do nearly enough to build the team through the draft, especially when you add in an underwhelming third round from the 2020 class (Lynn Bowden Jr., Bryan Edwards and Tanner Muse). So of course, Mayock had to go even though Gruden made the final calls on personnel.
Let’s turn the page.
Las Vegas Raiders new regime, new structure
Owner Mark Davis said the Mayock-Gruden pairing had a “rocky road” during the introductory press conference for head coach Josh McDaniels and Ziegler, but he likes the “synergy” of the latter two.
Ziegler made a wise decision to welcome Kelly alongside him, which may change the draft fortunes of the Raiders in the years to come.
The Raiders hired Ziegler, but they also interviewed Kelly for the same position. The former must have great confidence in himself and security in his role to allow another well-respected voice in the decision-making process.
Typically, a good system has checks and balances, meaning one individual doesn’t have absolute power. McDaniels has a grasp on the day-to-day X’s and O’s while Ziegler and Kelly have to think about the long-term complexion of the club.
Furthermore, McDaniels has trust in Ziegler, who comes over with him from the New England Patriots.
As the de facto general manager, Ziegler had a strong influence over the Patriots’ 2021 draft class. He helped transform the team’s (mostly ineffective) evaluation process:
For whatever it’s worth, quarterback Mac Jones earned a Pro Bowl nod, throwing for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore played 55 percent of the snaps, recording 46 tackles, three for loss, 1.5 sacks and 18 quarterback pressures. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 606 yards and five touchdowns, which included a pair of performances with 100-plus-yards and two scores.
In the new chain of command, Ziegler can trust Kelly, who helped build strong rosters with the Denver Broncos (2010-2014) and Chicago Bears (2015-2021).
Champ Kelly earned his respect
During Kelly’s tenure as the director of pro scouting and assistant director of player personnel in Chicago, the Bears hit on Day 3 picks such as running back Jordan Howard (2016 fifth-rounder), safety Eddie Jackson (2017 fourth-rounder), Tarik Cohen (2017 fourth-rounder), Trevis Gipson (2020 fifth-rounder) and wideout Darnell Mooney (2020 fifth-rounder).
With Kelly in the front office, the Bears also landed early-round picks who’ve flashed or showed promise in linebacker Roquan Smith (2018 first-rounder), running back David Montgomery (2019 third-rounder), tight end Cole Kmet (2020 second-rounder) and even Justin Fields, who was the fourth quarterback (No. 11 overall) selected in last year’s draft.
Any time someone tells you that a first-rounder “falls into a team’s lap,” show them the Raiders’ picks over the past few years. Arm-chair general managers think it’s easy to land the best possible player in the opening round, but this team obviously needed a new direction with its premium selections.
The Raiders’ new chain of command should produce improved draft results and fewer head-scratchers.
Kelly’s decision to leave Chicago for Vegas suggests that he believes in Ziegler’s vision and most importantly, that the Raiders’ new general manager holds his expertise in high regard.
Instead of putting the fate of the team’s future on the desk of one person with a shaky history of building rosters, Davis has two front-office executives who have either changed their previous team’s draft approach for the better (Ziegler) or served as a prominent voice for multiple clubs that brought in impact rookie classes (Kelly).
The 2022 NFL draft, which is in Vegas, could be a significant boon for the Raiders’ future.
Maurice Moton covers the Raiders for Sportsnaut. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton.