We are now inside two weeks from the 2024 NFL Draft. Not all positions will be approached the same by each team. Each club will look to fill their most immediate needs first in the hopes that they can get instant upgrades at their most glaring need positions.
There are only so many draft picks for each team, so not all need areas will be addressed with a day one starter. Some positions are also more important than others in terms of whether they can get by without a star talent in place.
For the Raiders, their glaring need areas are pretty clear. From there it’s just a matter of ranking them and figuring out the order in which they will go about addressing those needs. Much of that is dependent upon the value of prospect on the board when they make their selection. And for that reason, the ranking of need may not align perfectly with what position they address in a given round. Or if the position is addressed at all.
Even still, here are the biggest needs for the Raiders in this year’s draft in order starting with the most critical.
Quarterback
The Raiders added Garnder Minshew, but he’s more of an insurance policy than the answer at the position.
Offensive tackle
With Jermaine Eluemunor gone, the position falls to former seventh round pick Thayer Munford. Not the kind of risk the Raiders want to take with a rookie quarterback.
Cornerback
Outside cornerback was an issue much of last season. They brought in Jack Jones who should start on one side, but the other side is a big question mark.
Guard
There will be a new starting right guard for the Raiders for the fourth straight season. They just signed former Bears guard Cody Whitehair, which allows them some flexibility in case they can’t grab a starter in this draft.
Wide receiver
They cut Hunter Renfrow this offseason due to his high salary and little usage in recent seasons. Tre Tucker showed some talent late last season and is currently in line to take over the starting job in the slot. But they need competition and depth at the position.
Running back
Zamir White played well late last season and they added Alexander Mattison to share the load. After that, there isn’t much to work with. They need to be thinking running back on day three.
