Just Blog Baby
FanSided

Oakland Raiders: Offseason Winners and Losers

By Justin Smith

Sep 30, 2014; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie at a press conference to introduce Tony Sparano (not pictured) as Raiders interim coach at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2014; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie at a press conference to introduce Tony Sparano (not pictured) as Raiders interim coach at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 7
Next
Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) is brought down by Oakland Raiders inside linebacker Ben Heeney (51) during the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) is brought down by Oakland Raiders inside linebacker Ben Heeney (51) during the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Ben Heeney, MLB

This one is obvious. The only glaring need the Raiders didn’t address through free agency or the draft directly is middle linebacker. Ben Heeney ended 2015 as the starting middle linebacker, and no new players were brought in to compete for his job.

After a few solid seasons in the NFC South, Curtis Lofton was a spectacular disappointment for the Raiders in 2015. Heeney came in and got significant playing time in the final five games, starting three of them and showing some flashes of all-around ability with 2.5 sacks and a pass defensed.

The only LB the Raiders drafted in 2016 is Cory James, a pass-rushing OLB from Colorado State they grabbed in the sixth round as a developmental project. The Raiders have a plethora of OLB’s in Neiron Ball, Bruce Irvin, Malcolm Smith, and Mack when he stands up – but Heeney projects right now as the only true MLB on the roster. There is talk of sliding Smith into the MLB spot and having a rotation of Irvin, Ball, and Mack on the outside. Smith has the talent and football IQ to do this, and even if it did happen Heeney would still see the field quite often.

The fact that the Raiders didn’t seek a true bona fide MLB in free agency or the draft means that they like their linebacker depth, and particularly what they have in Heeney as they’ve given him a huge vote of confidence. After the offseason he had, he deserves a good bounce.

Next: Raiders Offseason Review: Losers

Home/Las Vegas Raiders News