Raiders starting units will feature many new players

It seems like every year in Oakland is an offseason of change and 2014 has been no exception so far. The team has drastically changed at almost every position – the linebacker corps being, perhaps, the one exception.

While we are still a month away from the Draft, I wanted to get an idea of how much the starting lineup would change from 2013 to 2014. Perhaps needless to say, it is changing quite a bit.

Here is a list of the starters in 2013 and how the 2014 starting teams may look. Of course, the Raiders will hopefully get at least a couple of immediate impact players in the draft and injuries will also take a toll.

Still, here is a look at the 2014 offseason of change for the Raiders:

Offense:

Offensive Line:
2013:  Jared Veldheer, Khalif Barnes, Stefen Wisniewski, Mike Brisiel, Tony Pashos
Projected 2014: Donald Penn, Kevin Booth, Stefen Wisniewski, Austin Howard, Menelik Watson

Change: 4 of 5 starters are new

Tight End:
2013 starter: Jeron Mastrud     Backups: Michael Rivera, Nick Kasa
Projected 2014 starter: David Ausberry   Backups Michael Rivera, Nick Kasa

Change: 1 of 1 starter is new

Wide Receiver:
2013:  Rod Streater & Denarius Moore.    Andre Holmes/Jacoby Ford as 3^rd WR
Projected 2014: James Jones & Rod Streater.           Andre Holmes as 3^rd WR

Change: 1 of 2 starters are new

Quarterback:
2013: Terrelle Pryor/Matt McGloin
Projected 2014: Matt Schaub

Change: 1 of 1 starter is new

Offensive Backfield:
2013: FB Marcel Reece,     RB Rashad Jennings, Darren McFadden
Projected 2014: FB Marcel Reece,     RB Maurice Jones-Drew

Change: 1 of 2 starters are new

Total offensive changes: 8 of 11 starters are new

Defense:

Defensive Line:
2013: Lamarr Houston, Pat Sims, Vance Walker, Jason Hunter
Projected 2014: Justin Tuck, Pat Sims, Antonio Smith, LaMarr Woodley

Change: 3 of 4 starters

Linebackers:
2013: Kevin Burnett, Nick Roach, Sio Moore
Projected 2014: Kevin Burnett, Nick Roach, Sio Moore

Change: 0 of 3 starters

Secondary:
2013: Mike Jenkins, Tracy Porter, Charles Woodson, Brandian Ross
Projected 2014: Tarell Brown, DJ Hayden, Charles Woodson, Tyvon Branch

Change: 3 of 4 starters

Total defensive changes: 6 of 11 starters are new

Total projected starter changes as of now: 14 of 22 (64%)

So, as of now, it appears that almost two-thirds of the teams’ starters will be different in 2014. Again, this could go up or down depending on the draft of the injury but it seems likely that at least half of the teams starters will be new, regardless, which is an amazing turnover.

The Raiders are hoping that their deconstruction phase is over and they can now focus on building their team to compete long-term. We will see if next year’s turnover percentage shows improvement in this area.