The Las Vegas Raiders don’t waste a lot of time with their big decisions. On Monday, they parted ways with general manager Mike Mayock, which kickstarts the beginning of an offseason of great change. Despite the Raiders’ impressive 10-7 campaign and their first playoff appearance since 2016, owner Mark Davis sent a clear message. He’s raised the bar of expectations, and Mayock didn’t make the cut.
In December of 2018, the Raiders hired Mayock and he contributed to some highly questionable draft decisions over the past few years. Although former head coach Jon Gruden was likely afforded some final same in many decisions.
With the fourth overall pick in the 2019 draft, the Raiders selected defensive end Clelin Ferrell, who played 24% percent of the defensive snaps this season. Johnathan Abram, who went 27th in the same class, looks like nothing more than an average box safety.
Vegas has already waived both of its first-round picks from the 2020 group in wideout Henry Ruggs III and cornerback Damon Arnette for their actions away from the field. Rookie first-rounder Alex Leatherwood, who moved from tackle to guard after Week 4, has allowed eight sacks and committed 14 penalties, per Pro Football Focus.
With those whiffs and question marks on Mayock’s draft record, Davis rightfully wanted better for the Raiders. But who’s going to lead the team in a new direction? Let’s take a look at five realistic candidates for the general manager opening.
5. Las Vegas Raiders hire Ran Carthon
Ran Carthon played for two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts before he transitioned into the scouting and front-office personnel ranks. After his playing days, the former running back served in roles with three different teams.
Between 2008 and 2011, Carthon held a pro scout position under former Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff. The Falcons drafted quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones and went to the playoffs in three out of four years in that stretch.
While you may not give much credit to a scouting department that took Ryan and Jones within the top-six picks of their respective classes, just remember, the Raiders have fumbled multiple first-rounders in recent drafts.
Carthon spent four years with the then-St. Louis Rams between 2012 and 2016. Though none of those teams went to the playoffs under former head coach Jeff Fisher, the club picked up All-Pros in defensive tackle Aaron Donald (No. 13 overall in 2014) and Todd Gurley (No. 10 overall in 2015).
Since 2017, Carthon has handled personnel duties with the San Francisco 49ers. In 2021, he became the team’s director of player personnel. Over the past five years, the club has found All-Pro talent after the first round of drafts in tight end George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner and wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
Recently, Carthon interviewed for the New York Giants and Chicago Bears (h/t The Athletic’s Matt Barrows) general manager positions.
4. Raiders bring in Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
Davis can play chess with his interest in Kwesi Adofo-Mensah if he wants to make a push for Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.
As Pro Football Focus contributor Brad Spielberger points out, Adofo-Mensah worked with Harbaugh in San Francisco for a short period between 2013 and 2014.
The former remained with the 49ers through the 2019 season and then accepted the vice president of football operation position with the Cleveland Browns in May of 2020 under general manager Andrew Berry.
Along with Berry, Adofo-Mensah has played a role in turning the Browns into a competitive squad after decades of subpar seasons. In 2020, the Browns won a playoff game for the first time since 1994.
Adofo-Mensah has an economic background that’s connected to Wall Street, so he should know how to handle the salary cap, which is important for a Raiders’ squad with about $40 million in projected cap space for the 2022 offseason (per Over the Cap). Also, quarterback Derek Carr is pushing for a new contract, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter