The Raiders have self-destructed over the second half of their schedule the last two years. Avoiding a repeat will mean dealing with a difficult late-season schedule.
Vincent Bonsignore
Raiders reporter
Vinny has covered the Raiders extensively in the past, breaking news on their eventual move to Las Vegas and their thwarted return to Los Angeles. Before joining the Review-Journal, he covered the Rams for The Athletic and the Los Angeles Daily News.
The Raiders will open against the Baltimore Ravens at Allegiant Stadium on Monday Night Football. They also will visit Dallas to play the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day.
The NFL will officially release its 2021 preseason and regular-season schedule on Wednesday.
The Raiders spent the offseason revamping the defense, beginning with the hiring of Gus Bradley as defensive coordinator and a slew of free agent and draft additions.
The NFL is allowing teams to conduct off-site training camps, but the Raiders will stay put in Henderson
In the post-draft Raiders mailbag, fans have questions about defensive improvement, possible cuts and the future of Marcus Mariota.
Odds are against most of the 10 players making the 53-man roster as rookies, but recent history suggests two or three will win a full-time job with the Raiders.
Buffalo defensive end Malcolm Koonce, selected by the Raiders in the third round of the NFL draft, brings an elevated understanding and natural feel for the pass rush.
Casey Hayward, who twice made the Pro Bowl, reunites with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, who coached him in four of his five seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The NFL draft is coming to Las Vegas next year, and now there are official dates
The Raiders think they made the necessary moves during the NFL draft and free agency to address the weaknesses that sabotaged their playoff hopes the past two seasons.
The Raiders took Missouri safety Tyree Gillespie in the fourth round, Illinois cornerback Nate Hobbs in the fifth and Pittsburgh center Jimmy Morrissey in the seventh.
The Raiders have four more picks left in the draft and hope to find players who will make the 2021 53-man roster, even in the final rounds.
The Raiders traded up five spots to take Texas Christian safety Trevon Moehrig. They added two more defenders in the third round.
An NFL executive said it would cost the Raiders three first-round picks, two of their better younger players and maybe a couple of mid-round picks to acquire Aaron Rodgers.