Magic 8 Ball predictions for the 2024 Las Vegas Raiders

Mattel's Magic 8 Ball has been predicting the future since 1946. We ran a few questions about the Las Vegas Raiders by one, and the results were mixed.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, users ask yes-no questions to the ball, give it a shake and then turn it over to reveal the answer. We opted for an online version to ask the following:

Do they have an answer at the most important position?
Magic 8 Ball says: My sources say no

Former fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell and free-agent signing Gardner Minshew II are competing for the starting quarterback job. Neither has stood out in the team's offseason program thus far.

"The defense decidedly had the upper hand regardless of who was at quarterback. Minshew and O'Connell are similar quarterbacks who have average arm talent, athleticism and size," wrote The Athletic's Tashan Reed. "As a result, they both have to use their minds rather than their bodies to excel. That hasn't materialized in practice."

Whether O'Connell or Minshew wins the starting job, expect the Raiders to rely on their defense — which finished ninth in the league in points allowed (19.5) last season — to win games. On Tuesday, head coach Antonio Pierce told The Athletic's Vic Tafur, "Don't worry about our quarterbacks worry about yours."

Despite Pierce's confidence in the defense, it wouldn't be surprising if QB play hampers Vegas this season. As of Wednesday, FanDuel lists the Raiders 2024-25 over/under total at 6.5 wins.

Will they keep wide receiver Davante Adams?
Magic 8 Ball says: Ask again later 

In April, Adams indicated he wanted to stay in Las Vegas, telling Reed, "This is where I want to be."

However, Adams may change his mind if the team continues to underperform. In two seasons with the club, the 31-year-old wideout has 203 receptions for 2,660 yards and 22 touchdown catches, but the Raiders have missed the playoffs.

Adams — who signed a five-year, $140M contract in 2022 — has never played in a Super Bowl and probably wants to star for a contender.

Assuming he requested a trade, a WR-needy team (the Buffalo Bills? Detroit Lions?) could be interested in the six-time Pro Bowler. 

Will defensive end Maxx Crosby win Defensive Player of the Year?
Magic 8 Ball says: Outlook good

Last season, Crosby finished fourth in DPOY voting, logging career highs in sacks (14.5), tackles for loss (23) and combined tackles (90).

This offseason, the Raiders signed defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (four-year, $110M deal), which should help Crosby avoid double-teams and produce even better numbers. In 17 games with the Miami Dolphins last season, Wilkins had a career-best nine sacks, 10 TFLs and 23 QB hits.

Crosby faces stiff competition, but he has solid odds. FanDuel gives him the fifth-best chance (+1000) to win the award behind San Francisco 49ers DE Nick Bosa, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt, Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett and Dallas Cowboys LB Micah Parsons.

Will Pierce lead the Raiders to the playoffs in his first season as HC?
Magic 8 Ball says: Don't count on it

In January, the Raiders removed Pierce's interim tag after he went 5-4, and several star players, including Crosby and Adams, vouched for him to get the job.

"There was a lot of pressure on me from the outside to hire Antonio for the head-coaching job, but I think people forget I was the one who hired him in the first place for the interim job," Raiders owner Mark Davis told Tafur in January. "When I interviewed him back then, I got the feeling that he was something special."

It appears Pierce has what it takes to succeed as an HC, but he may not overcome the Raiders' roster problems. In their 2024 roster rankings, Pro Football Focus' Jim Wyman and Dalton Wasserman rated Vegas' squad No. 23 in the league.

The Raiders could improve in their first season under Pierce, but making the postseason seems unlikely. ESPN's NFL Football Power Index gives Vegas a 16.6 percent chance to make the playoffs, the eighth worst in the league.