The Raiders enter the 2020 offseason with a few significant needs. The team desperately needs to find help at receiver, specifically on the outside. The Raiders also need to add another cornerback as veteran Daryl Worley is scheduled to hit the free-agent market in March.
However, their biggest need by far is at the linebacker position. It’s been several years since the Raiders have had a quality, reliable player at that position, and it’s clearly holding them back from taking the next step as a defense.
In a recent article by Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report, the linebacker position, specifically, a pass-coverage linebacker, was listed as the team’s biggest need entering the 2020 NFL draft. Take a look at Moton’s thoughts on the Raiders’ linebacker position:
The last time the Oakland Raiders had a quality fixture at middle linebacker was a decade ago: Kirk Morrison. Since then, pass-catching running backs and tight ends have gashed this defense in open space.
The Raiders don’t have a solid coverage linebacker on the roster. Tahir Whitehead fits the two-down mold. He’s far better against the run. Nicholas Morrow played safety at Greenville on the collegiate level, but his ball-tracking skills have yet to shine on the professional level.
Moton named Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons as a potential solution for the Raiders. If he were to be available at pick No. 12, that would be the ideal pick for the Raiders. However, expect the Raiders to explore the free-agent market for linebackers to make sure they cover their bases ahead of the 2020 draft.
