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Oakland Raiders Ultimate Offseason Primer

By Nick Hjeltness

November 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is congratulated by guard Gabe Jackson (66) after throwing a touchdown pass against the New York Jets during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is congratulated by guard Gabe Jackson (66) after throwing a touchdown pass against the New York Jets during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Team Needs

Assuming Latavius Murray leaves in free agency, let’s go over what the team needs will be.

Starting with running back, the Raiders will want to find another power back to complement DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard. The options in free agency are hardly appealing, so expect the draft to be how McKenzie finds his next big back.

Some will argue that the Raiders could use a tight end, but Walford deserves another year as the starter. It’s fair to say that his role was forced to change when Lee Smith got hurt.

If Menelik Watson does indeed walk, it’s a safe bet that Austin Howard will be back. Hopefully he isn’t back as the starter, and rather, only as depth. Denver Kirkland and Vadal Alexander played well as rookies, but right tackle should be another area McKenzie looks at.

It’d even be understandable if McKenzie wanted to find the left tackle of the future via the draft. Penn was phenomenal, but if he only has a year or two left, it’d be wise to start grooming the future blindside protector of Derek Carr.

Most of the team needs lie on defense, and truth be told, there isn’t any one single position that could go without some help.

Defensive end or defensive tackle both would be welcomed additions — especially on the interior of the line.

The Raiders could use both an inside and an outside linebacker.

Even if Sean Smith and David Amerson are back, the third best corner on the team is T.J. Carrie, and it gets quite ugly after that. So yes, they need at least one cornerback, and probably two.

Reggie Nelson may or may not be back, but regardless, he’s obviously not the safety of the future. Nor is the safety of the future on the roster, so pencil this in as a need as well.

And finally, is the end of Seabass near? The Polish Cannon is still kicking, pun intended, and a kicker isn’t a position that needs to be groomed. So don’t expect one to be added. At least as his replacement — Giorgio Tavecchio will probably show up in camp again, but he’s not a threat to Jano’s job.

So to recap, here are the team needs:

  • RB
  • RT
  • DE
  • DT
  • ILB
  • OLB
  • CB
  • S
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