Las Vegas Raiders must upgrade all three levels of the defense in 2020

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OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Tahir Whitehead #59 of the Oakland Raiders reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 11, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Linebacker

Looking at the 2020 Raiders as a whole, one could make a definite argument that the linebacker position is the one in most need of an upgrade. Sure, Twitter will be ablaze with Derek Carr talk, and the wide receiver group, but the truth is, the linebacker group was an absolute liability once again in 2019.

The loss of Vontaze Burfict due to suspension early hurt the unit, and while the team tried to piece together a starting group around Tahir Whitehead, they never could find the right mix. Nicholas Morrow, Will Compton, and Kyle Wilber, along with Burfict will all be free agents this offseason, so there is a lot of work to be done.

Las Vegas holds two first round picks in 2020, and the odds are they will use at least one of them at the linebacker position. Isaiah Simmons from Clemson is the best overall talent at the position group, but sitting at No. 12 overall, the Raiders may not be high enough to get him, and would have to trade up for his services.

At No. 19, they could add a talent like Patrick Queen from LSU, or Kenneth Murray from Oklahoma, two athletic guys who can come in and start right away. In addition, there are some outstanding options in free agency this offseason, including Cory Littleton, Joe Schobert, Dante Fowler Jr., and Blake Martinez, all players who could be difference makers for Guenther in 2020.

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