Offseason Outlook: The Raiders Top 5 Needs/Wants
Offseason Outlook: The Raiders Top 5 Needs/Wants
The Raiders were a team that for most of the year shocked us. They dealt with plenty of turmoil to begin the offseason. Their distraction was the Antonio Brown saga. He was Hurt from a freak accident, then the helmet issue which was just out there. After his release, there were questions on how the offense would function and who would lead them. They got two breakout stars in Darren Waller at tight end and Josh Jacobs at running back. Waller got over 80 receptions and over 1,100 yards to lead the team, while Jacobs was in the hunt for rookie of the year play for most of the year. He played hurt but still was producing, yet unfortunately, he couldn’t finish the season and that hurt his ROTY candidacy. Not only did the two breakout stars play well, but Derek Carr did pretty himself, he threw over 4,000 yards and went 21:8 touchdown to interceptions ratio. Although they did well early, they faltered down the stretch and it was due to injuries and a defense that still wasn’t up to snuff with most teams. We will see how they get the defense to a legitimate threat while adding on to a good core on offense.
Las Vegas Raiders
Wants
Cornerback
Linebacker
Defensive Tackle
Wide Receiver
Running back
Needs
Figure out if Derek Carr is still the quarterback of the future
Find a linebacker that will solidify the middle of the defense
Find a partner for Trayvon Mullen at corner
Build upon the core of the offense with another WR
Get a running back to partner with Josh to carry the load
Linebacker
If there was one reason the defense was lacking off it was the play from the linebacker position. The Raiders had tried to cover up the flaw by getting veteran linebackers to lead the group, but it wasn’t as they expected. They couldn’t stop the run or cover in space well. In terms of yards, they didn’t give up too much on the ground but yielded way too many touchdowns. As for the air attack, they helped allow over 30 touchdowns through the air. Then one of their lead vets Vontaze Burfict, got suspended for the season after another suspect hit, he made. All these factors are key points in which they need improvement. The best options are honest o address this position in the draft. They tried the free agency route once and failed. They can keep one or two free agents from last year but need to add some much need youth in that area. My best picks for them are Patrick Queen in the first round and Willie Gay Jr. in the third round. Both guys can cover a lot of ground and have great explosiveness in their game. Also, Gay showed a great smoothness in his coverage skills during the combine which was there as well on tape.
Running back
This position doesn’t need to be addressed too early on due to the play of Josh Jacobs. Yet unfortunately, his play was only slowed down by his injury. He could have easily had over 1,300 yards at the rate he was producing on the ground. Yes, the Raiders have two good third-down backs in DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard, but neither showed great skills as a rusher last season. Neither back went over 400 yards on the ground and neither went over 4 yards per carry. These numbers just won’t work even if both are good out of the backfield in the passing game. They can keep one of them and then replace the other with either a veteran or rookie. A good option for a veteran is Jordan Howard. He has always shown a great knack for running the ball but not as much receiving out the backfield. He can spell Jacobs so he can make it all 16 games this year around and as well as help more in the passing game. If they want to go younger in the position they can wait until the second or third round and get a guy like Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He showed at LSU to be a serious force in the running game. He can help finish the game off but bruising his way all fourth quarter down the field between the tackles.
Build upon the core of the offense with another WR
The offense as a whole was “middle of the road” at best. There were times that they showed flashes of being a top unit but was always missing a piece or two. They have a solid number two receiver in Tyrell Williams. They have a great running back in Josh Jacobs and an upcoming tight end in Darren Waller. Unfortunately for the rest of the offense, it’s missing pieces. They are missing most importantly of all things a number one receiver. They envisioned an offense with Antonio Brown and the other pieces, but when that didn’t work. This upcoming draft would be the best time to get that number one receiver. They can go for another big-bodied receiver, a precise route runner that can go over the top, the middle, or a straight burner that can do a little bit of everything. Now armed with a pretty high pick they can start the run on receivers if they want with either Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb or Tee Higgins. All three options can step in and play that number one role with great promise for the future as well.
-By: Darren Braxton
Writer/Interviewer