The Las Vegas Raiders have done a masterful job of acquiring game-changing talent via NFL free agency. However, they still need to plug some holes as the draft inches ever closer.
Among the defining additions that the Raiders made were acquiring Davante Adams and Chandler Jones. In a couple of broad strokes, general manager Dave Ziegler changed the face of both his offense and defense. Quarterback Derek Carr has reunited with his college teammate, Adams, and the two will look to take the league by storm alongside other playmakers like Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller.
The defense, now coached by Patrick Graham, has been enhanced by one of the NFL’s most dominant pass-rushers in Jones, who fits in schematically. A defensive front that will have Jones and Maxx Crosby will be lethal. The defense already has standouts from 2021, such as Nate Hobbs and Trevon Moehrig, who are looking to take their game to the next level. However, the Raiders’ defensive line still needs to be addressed, particularly the interior and the lack of a pass-rushing presence.
As far as the Raiders’ offense goes, they have weapons galore, but a major concern remains, and that’s the offensive line. Most of the 2021 unit has been kept intact with the team’s brain trust believing they have tons of potential with regards to Alex Leatherwood and Brandon Parker. The upcoming draft will provide ample opportunity to add to the o-line and, considering how deep this year’s crop is, the Raiders would be fools to not at least walk away with one prospect.
Also, the team could still look to add to their offensive weaponry, principally a running back and/or a wide receiver, with so much talent expected to be available on Days 2 and 3. Let’s take a look at a possible scenario.