A new mathematical formula aimed at assessing NFL coaching job openings has revealed unfavorable insights for the Las Vegas Raiders, who currently rank sixth among the nine available positions. Developed by Covers.com, this ranking system attempts to provide a more quantifiable method for evaluating coaching vacancies, moving beyond subjective opinions often found in other analyses.
The formula assigns scores based on five factors: quarterback outlook, overall roster, front office stability, salary cap and draft capital, and divisional landscape, with weightings assigned to each category. Notably, the quarterback outlook carries the most significance at 40 percent, while divisional landscape accounts for just 5 percent.
The Raiders’ ranking highlights a blend of potential and concerns. They achieved a score of 56 out of 100, placing just above the Pittsburgh Steelers (53) and below the Arizona Cardinals (57). In comparison to other recent hires, the Raiders trail behind teams like the Baltimore Ravens (81) and New York Giants (64).
One of the areas where the Raiders excelled was in salary cap space and draft assets, garnering an impressive score of 18 out of 20 thanks to their top pick in the upcoming draft and nearly $100 million in cap space. However, their potency in this area is somewhat overshadowed by doubts surrounding their divisional competition, particularly having to contend with two playoff teams, the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos, as well as a formidable Kansas City Chiefs team expected to return with a healthy Patrick Mahomes.
The Raiders also scored a modest 20 out of 40 for their quarterback outlook, with expectations surrounding the potential drafting of Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, although his status as an unproven player gives pause. They performed better than several teams, including the Steelers and Dolphins, in terms of overall roster strength, earning an 11 out of 20. The roster features key players such as Brock Bowers and Maxx Crosby but suffers from depth and consistency issues.
Concerns regarding front office stability also impacted the Raiders’ rankings. Despite the hopes associated with general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady steering the organization, the history of frequent leadership changes raises questions about job security and continuity moving forward.
Despite these challenges, there is a silver lining with the impending draft where the Raiders hold the first overall pick, as well as significant financial resources that could help the franchise rebuild and attract talent. While the current assessment may not paint the most encouraging picture, the potential for future improvement remains.