It’s official; the 2020 offseason is here. In just a few weeks, the NFL Combine will begin in Indianapolis, and free agency will start up just a few days later. And a month later, the Raiders will host the 2020 draft in Las Vegas.
Over the next several months, the Raiders will have a chance to take their team from a nice story in 2019 to a potential playoff contender in the AFC in 2020. With a ton of draft capital, cap space, and an aggressive general manager, you can bet Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden will be busy trying to improve their team this offseason.
But what positions do the Raiders have to address this offseason to take the next step as a franchise? Here are their five most significant needs heading into the 2020 offseason.
5. Quarterback
Whether Raiders’ fans agree with it or not, the quarterback position is one of the team’s biggest needs entering the offseason. Derek Carr has certainly been serviceable for the Raiders under Jon Gruden, it’s fair to wonder if the team wouldn’t like to try to upgrade the position.
However, if the Raiders decide not to address the quarterback position this offseason, it’s certainly not the end of the world. With the amount of talent on this roster, it might only be fair to give Carr one more chance to prove himself under Gruden.
If nothing else, look for the Raiders to try to add competition for Carr, whether that be through a draft pick or by a veteran free agent, such as Marcus Mariota or Teddy Bridgewater.
4. Defensive Tackle
One position that is a surprising need for the Raiders is at defensive tackle. Recently, general manager Mike Mayock expressed how vital that position was and how the team will look to upgrade it this offseason.
One name that continues to be floated around as a potential signing is Chris Jones of the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Defensive line coach Rod Marinelli has always valued size and quickness at the under-tackle position, and Jones fits that mold.
Look for the Raiders to be players in the defensive tackle market despite having Maurice Hurst, P.J. Hall, and Johnathan Hankins all under contract.
3. Cornerback
Once the Raiders traded away Gareon Conley midseason, you knew that the cornerback position would be one that the Raiders would try to upgrade again this offseason.
The team feels great about Trayvon Mullen, and what he did as a rookie, and they re-signed veteran Nevin Lawson to a modest contract extension this offseason. But Daryl Worley is set to hit free agency, and the team lacks another proven cornerback on the outside.
If there is one position the team may look to address in free agency, expect it to be at the cornerback position. It just takes too long for draft picks to develop, and the Raiders need to find an instant starter to pair with Mullen for the 2020 season.
Expect the Raiders to chase some of the top free agents at cornerback, such as Byron Jones or Kendall Fuller, once the new league year beings.
2. Wide Receiver
You can make a strong case that the wide receiver position should be the team’s biggest need entering the 2020 offseason. After making two trades during the season and nearly another for Robby Anderson of the New York Jets, it’s clear that Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden aren’t thrilled with the talent at the position.
Yes, Hunter Renfrow is a nice piece, and Tyrell Williams can operate as an outside receiver. But the team desperately needs a No. 1 target that can be relied upon during the game’s biggest moments.
With the 2020 draft being one of the best in recent memory at receiver, expect the Raiders to use one of their premium selections at the position. In fact, don’t be surprised if they use multiple picks at receiver, given the depth at the position.
1. Linebacker
Without a doubt, the biggest need on the Raiders’ roster heading into the offseason is at the linebacker position. It’s been years since the Raiders have had a young, fast linebacker unit, and it’s a position that has to be upgraded for the team to take the next step as a franchise.
With only Tahir Whitehead and Marquel Lee under contract at linebacker next season, the Raiders need to find at least one caliber starting linebacker, if not two. The team could try to address this need in free agency by targeting someone like Joe Schobert or Corey Littleton, but it’s far more likely they look to the draft to address this need.
If the Raiders can find a way to improve the play of their linebackers next season, look for them to make a dramatic jump on defense and in the win column.
