7 New Year’s resolutions for the Oakland Raiders in 2019
By Brad Weiss
Sign a middle linebacker
The Raiders need a legitimate starter at middle linebacker, which is a position where they have struggled to produce a dominating figure in recent years. In 2018, rookie Jason Cabinda got some run down the stretch in the middle, and played very well, so he is someone who should get a long look in terms of the depth chart in 2019.
Cabinda is a nice depth player, but the Raiders need to spend some of their cash, or an early draft pick on bringing in a legitimate middle linebacker. The 2019 NFL Draft has guys like Mack Wilson from Alabama could be available late in round one, or Devin White from LSU early, with Te’von Conley a likely selection in the second or third.
In free agency, there are also some guys who should get a long look from the Raiders, including Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker CJ Mosley. Whichever route they decide to go, the middle linebacker position is so important for defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, and that has to be a big priority this offseason.