Raiders Wake Up to Lockett’s Value - Titans Were Ahead of the Curve
The Tennessee Titans made the decision to release veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett in October. Lockett had been totally ineffective and unproductive in seven games, recording just 10 receptions for 70 yards and zero touchdowns. His release paved the way for rookie Chimere Dike to play more snaps on offense, and Dike has taken full advantage of that opportunity.
Lockett quickly signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. It was an opportunity for him to reunite with head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith, who he previously spent time with in Seattle. Lockett essentially became the Raiders' No. 1 receiver following their decision to trade Jakobi Meyers to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Though Lockett has been productive from a statistical perspective in Vegas, context offers more insight. The 2-9 Raiders are an absolute disaster. The Raiders are discovering that a successful offense can't function in 2025 with Lockett as one of its main contributors, a lesson the Titans learned in September.
The Raiders are learning a lesson about Tyler Lockett the Titans already knew
It's not Lockett's fault the Raiders are expecting him to carry a heavier workload than he's suited to. That failure falls at the feet of GM John Spytek and his coaching staff. Lockett is simply executing the role he's been asked to serve.
The Raiders have dropped all four games Lockett has appeared in. And though he's registered 30-plus receiving yards in three consecutive contests, the majority of that production has been accumulated in garbage time. Sunday's Week 12 showing versus the Cleveland Browns represented a new low.
The Raiders lost 24-10 to the Browns. Starting quarterback Geno Smith was sacked on a historic 10 occasions. Lockett was their leading receiver, with four catches for 62 yards. It's a telltale sign of an ineffective offense.
The Raiders fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly following Sunday's lackluster showing. The Raiders are fielding one of the worst offenses in the entire NFL. Though Lockett appears to be producing half-decent numbers, positioning him as a go-to receiver in 2025 is a sign of an awful offense.
Jer'Zhan Newton Shows Promise but Commanders Need More from Young Talent in Lost Season
One year ago, the Washington Commanders appeared to have the type of draft class that could change the course of a franchise for years to come. Of course, quarterback Jayden Daniels led the way, but other draft picks, such as Mike Sainristil and Brandon Coleman, had featured roles.
Now, heading into Week 13 of the 2025 season, the Commanders are 3-8 and have lost six straight games. Daniels will likely miss his sixth game of the season on Sunday. Sainristil has started every game, but looks lost compared to last season. Coleman switched positions and was benched.
Sainristil wasn't Washington's only 2024 second-round pick. Defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton and tight end Ben Sinnott were also chosen in the second round. As a rookie, Newton was behind veteran starters Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, while Sinnott was behind Zach Ertz and John Bates.
The Commanders released Allen in the offseason, which was a positive for Newton. However, Washington signed Javon Kinlaw in free agency, and Payne and Kinlaw have been Washington's starters at defensive tackle.
Newton has appeared in all 11 games for the Commanders, but has not started one game. Some fans were shocked that in Week 11, with Payne missing the game due to a suspension, veteran Eddie Goldman started instead of Newton. However, it was more about the matchup that week against the Dolphins.
In 11 games, Newton has played 34% of Washington's defensive snaps. He has 23 tackles, including two for loss, two sacks and four quarterback hits. Head coach Dan Quinn has been impressed with the former Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
"I would say one of the strengths of the defense is the DTs," Quinn said on Monday. "And Johnny's right in the middle of that. I like that he's been disruptive as a pass rusher, getting upfield to go. And so, that to me was a big piece of it. Sometimes the game plan works out that way, you're playing more of a five down front, or how do you want to go about it? But there was nothing regarding game planning, more or less. But I do love the quickness that he's playing with and the disruption, and I think he's a guy that can cause havoc. And so, that's what I want to see this week and every other over the rest of the season of him doing those things together."
What do we make of what Quinn said? Newton has flashed this season. But you expect more out of a second-round pick. The Commanders were elated when Newton fell to them at No. 36 overall. One reason he fell was a foot injury that required surgery. Before he played his first NFL game last fall, Newton had surgery on each of his feet.
Over Washington's final six games, coaches should prioritize development and winning. You need to play your best players, but with so many expiring contracts, it's also essential to find out what you have in some of the younger players. Newton included.
The Commanders need more encouraging signs from players such as Newton, Sainristil and Sinnott. In a lost season, the development of those players is critical to Washington's future.
