The Oakland Raiders are coming into the 2013 with high expectations for their offense after acquiring Matt Flynn at quarterback and the team has decided to put an emphasis on that side of the ball, which is why they drafted tight end Nick Kasa along with running back Latavius Murray and wideout Brice Butler.
Kasa may end up getting the most playing time out of the three due to the fact that starting tight end Brandon Myers left to sign with the Giants, while the other two players have names ahead of them in Darren McFadden, Jacoby Ford, Denarius Moore and others. Kasa comes into the league from Colorado and even with David Ausberry as the likely starter, the tight end will have the chance to turn heads in training camp.
At 6'6", 270 pounds Kasa is a matchup nightmare and he has deceptive speed down the field for someone as big as he is. Kasa spent time as a defensive lineman and that could help him get in over Ausberry due to his blocking skills. Last season Myers led the team in receiving with 79 receptions for 806 yards and four touchdowns and while he had a good relationship with Carson Palmer, Kasa has the chance to do the same with Flynn.
Coming in to start for the first time in his career, Flynn will need some solid options in the short game and for first downs and that could be the perfect fit for Kasa. Last season Palmer had a 70 percent completion rate to Myers and if Flynn can duplicate some of that production, chances are the offense will be more consistent this season. Reggie McKenzie felt that Kasa was a good fit for the team and since tight end was a deep position in the draft, he felt that he could let Myers go without even offering him a contract.
Another reason the team let Myers go is due to the fact that he isn't stellar in run blocking and that is something that the Raiders made a priority heading into this season. The team is changing its run scheme and with Darren McFadden hoping to have a fully healthy year, he could end up putting up some big numbers on offense. Myers was used as a middle of the field receiver for the Raiders last season and with the Giants he likely will get more deep targets, while Kasa can serve was both for the Raiders now.
The defense is expected to improve as well from the 4-12 unit last year, as McKenzie added tons of talent in Nick Roach, Charles Woodson, Tracy Porter, Mike Jenkins and others. The team ranked low in the league in rushing yards per game and eighth in passing and if the Raiders can be more consistent on offense, they should be much better overall this season.
