5 keys to success for the Las Vegas Raiders 2020 season

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders passes the ball in the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers on November 27, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders passes the ball in the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers on November 27, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Raiders LB Cory Littleton
Raiders LB Cory Littleton with the Los Angeles Rams (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

5 keys to success for the Las Vegas Raiders 2020 season

Revamped Linebacker Group

One huge area of need coming into the 2020 season for the Silver and Black was at the linebacker position, where the team failed to do anything in terms of coverage last season. This offseason, Mayock decided to blow the group up, getting rid of players like Tahir Whitehead and Marquel Lee, while bringing in players who can actually cover.

The most coveted free agent piece for the Raiders this offseason was Cory Littleton, widely regarded as the best linebacker free agent on the market. This guy can flat out cover, and he will be joined in the starting lineup by another key free agent pickup in former Chicago Bears linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski.

This past weekend, the Raiders continued to add to the group, trading a fourth round pick in 2021 for Miami Dolphins linebacker Raekwon McMillan. He will likely be the Sam in the base 4-3 for Guenther, but when the Raiders go nickel, it will be the Littleton and Kwiatkoski show.

If those two are as good as advertised, this defense instantly becomes better.