Free agency: Top 5 needs for the Oakland Raiders to address

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 10: Head coach Jon Gruden (L) and Owner Mark Davis (R) of the Oakland Raiders talking with each other while looking on as their team warms up prior to the start of a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 10: Head coach Jon Gruden (L) and Owner Mark Davis (R) of the Oakland Raiders talking with each other while looking on as their team warms up prior to the start of a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 16: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after sacking Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 16: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after sacking Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

The Oakland Raiders have plenty of areas where they must improve in 2019, and here are five needs they should look to target in free agency.

The Oakland Raiders have 33 pending free agents of their own, so there is a lot of housekeeping to do as they enter the offseason. With a new general manager in place in Mike Mayock, there better be a plan in terms of what they want to do in free agency, as they have some cap space to making a couple of splashes.

Here are the five areas of need as they enter the free agency period.

5. Outside Linebacker

The Raiders went out and signed Tahir Whitehead this past offseason, expecting him to be a leader in this linebacker group. Whitehead played well towards the end of the season, and finished the year leading the team in tackles with 126 total.

Heading into next season, Oakland has to find a way to bolster this group, as it was a serious weakness in 2018. Whitehead is solid, and will be back next season, but there are some quality outside linebackers available in free agency this offseason, including guys like Anthony Barr and K.J. Wright.