This offseason, the Raiders can be more strategic about how they approach filling their needs. Last season, they had needs at so many positions, it was just about filling as many as they could in free agency and the draft and hoping for the best at the other spots.
With some $60 million in cap money and four picks in the top three rounds, there is ammo to work with. With that, we look at the top five needs for the Raiders this offseason.
1. Wide receiver
They thought they had this position fixed last offseason when they traded for Antonio Brown, signed Tyrell Williams, JJ Nelson, and Ryan Grant, and drafted Hunter Renfrow in the fifth round. What they had by the end of the season was a gimpy Williams and Renfrow as easily the team’s top target among the wide receiving corps.
Even after midseason trades to acquire Trevor Davis and Zay Jones, they were still in deep trouble at the position as both players proved why their former team was so open to parting with them. And for the third season in a row, a tight end led the team in receiving. This position needs a big splash and a lot of depth as well. An influx of talent is an absolute must.
2. Linebacker
I was tempted to make this position two needs because they need an inside and an outside linebacker. Hell, a complete overhaul of the linebacking corps could be in order. When they added Will Compton late in the season, he instantly became their best linebacker on the field and it wasn’t even close.
Suddenly they had a player who could make the right reads, shed blocks and who took good angles to the ball. What a concept. Players who can do that aren’t a dime a dozen, but they aren’t so scarce the Raiders can’t find a couple. We’ve been saying it every offseason, but it’s time for the Raiders to make this position a priority.
3. Quarterback
Last offseason, the words ‘make or break’ were said a lot with regard to Derek Carr’s 2019 season. Some people are now acting like that wasn’t a real thing. It was. This was Carr’s second season in Gruden’s offense. He had a rough first season in it, just as he did in most other seasons in which it was his first in the same offense.
Carr’s one successful season was in 2016 when he had Bill Musgrave as his OC for a second season. So, if he was going to be the guy in Gruden’s offense, you’d figure the second season in it was that time. And it just didn’t happen.
In his end season press conference, Gruden wouldn’t commit to Carr as his QB for 2020 because there isn’t any clear evidence to suggest he is the QB that can run his offense to max capacity and take this team where it needs to go. They either should look to replace now or prepare for that possibility.
4. Cornerback
There are a lot of question marks with regard to this unit. The first is what the team’s plans are for Daryl Worley. He will be a free agent in March if they don’t re-sign him. And as a starter, he would be tough to replace.
What about Lamarcus Joyner? Do they keep him as the nickel corner or move him to safety? He was not great covering the slot last season after signing a huge free-agent deal.
They traded away Gareon Conley to make way for rookie Trayvon Mullen, who is now the most entrenched starter on the team. Their depth at the position behind Mullen, Worley, and Joyner is a big question mark.
Nevin Lawson was terrible and is likely one-and-done. Rookie fourth-round pick Isaiah Johnson barely saw the field, first due to injury, and then development. Undrafted rookie Keisean Nixon showed some flashes.
5. Running back
Yes, I know the Raiders landed the likely Offensive Rookie of the Year last year in Josh Jacobs. He is their workhorse back, there is no question. But after him, there are questions. They could use a bruiser. Somebody to pound the rock in short-yardage and goal-line or just to wear out the defense. They don’t have one of those.
Additionally, both Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington are set to become unrestricted free agents. Both have their good qualities, but, let’s be honest, there is room for an upgrade there.
Think about this, the Raiders have two third-round picks currently. Two of last season’s top rookie backs – David Montgomery and Devin Singletary – went in the third. Something to think about.
