How the "Patriots Way" is making it's way to Raider Nation
“The transition from a traditional 4-3 base to an odd-man front requires building the team from the inside/out. The Patriot Way has always been finding value in interior defensive lineman who can set the edge while rushing from the interior.”
This was something I pointed out in an earlier article on March 10 (read here) before the free-agency frenzy began.
GM Dave Ziegler did just that by inking vastly underrated NT Bilal Nichols from the Chicago Bears.
What I didn’t anticipate was Ziegler swinging for the fences in signing OLB Chandler Jones while trading for WR Davante Adams. No one saw that coming.
Then came the 2022 NFL Draft. Just like the Patriot way, the Raiders found value by continuing to build the team’s cultural identity from the inside/out. You can read my previous article in which I graded each pick below:
Inside/Out Draft picks
3rd-round pick (No. 90) | OG Dylan Parham | Memphis
4th-round pick (No. 126) | DE Neil Farrell Jr. | LSU
5th-round pick (No. 175) | DE Matthew Butler | Tennessee
7th-round pick (No. 238) | OT Thayer Munford | Ohio St.
Cultural Fit/Scheme Fit
Personnel fit plays a key role in building a team’s cultural identity. Furthermore, the characteristics you look for in a player are what make that player valuable to your organization.
Ziegler loves players who are versatile, tough, physical, and smart. Then comes the NFL traits. What does he do well? Does he fit what we do? Can we coach him up? Does he love football or like football? What’s his football character in relation to personal character? Team player or me player?
After doing research, Ziegler drafted players who were a strong cultural fit. He doesn’t have to hold their hands in getting sh*t done. He drafted players who will go above and beyond the expected work-ethic threshold. How do I know this?
My good friend Andre Carter who coached Farrell at LSU echoed those same things on a recent phone call. On a side note; we will also have Andre on our YouTube channel to talk about what Farrell brings to the Raiders and the rookie’s expectations (Be sure to subscribe to all of our social media at the end of each article).
Leveraging future Draft Capital
Aside from drafting players and building the team’s cultural identity via free-agency, Ziegler is already quietly winning the 2023 NFL Draft the “Patriot Way.” How is this being accomplished with the draft a year away? Let’s peel back layers of the onion to get to the core:
Swapped late-round picks while picking up backup QB Jarrett Stidham
Leveraged 7th-round pick gained to move up into 5th-round (via ATL) while trading WR Bryan Edwards
Lose 6th-round pick (own) from Stidham trade but pickup additional 5th-round pick from trading WR Bryan Edwards
Bottom Line: Ziegler now has the following ammo for the 2023 Draft:
1st-round pick
2nd-round pick
3rd-round pick
4th-round pick
5th-round pick (2)
7th-round pick
As Ziegler continues to build the core from the ground up, I will keep you updated on every transaction as it unfolds as the “Raider Way” is making its way…
UPDATE: Raiders sign former Broncos ILB Kenny Young (McGill pick)
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