We’re over the hump for the busiest part of the NFL offseason. The eye of the storm, if you will. Where we are the same amount of time since the start of free agency as we are from the NFL draft.
That means most of the big free agents have been signed by each team—at least the ones whose addition could change their draft plans.
The Raiders were very busy, signing over 20 free agents and adding a couple of others in trades. The vast majority of their additions were not surefire starters, which gives them some insurance in case they don’t fill a need in the draft while offering them some flexibility in the hopes they could resist reaching.
Keep in mind, that the team’s most significant addition – Davante Adams – caused them to be without their top two picks, making their first pick in this draft number 86 in the third round. And they currently have just four picks total, so they won’t be addressing all their needs. In fact, they’d be lucky to be able to truly address a couple of them.
That being said, here are their top five roster needs as we sit here today.
Tackle
Projected starters: Kolton Miller, Denzelle Good
Who is going to play right tackle? I have Good penciled in because he moved over to right tackle in 2020 for a few games and was serviceable. No other tackle on the roster has done that. But he is a guard by trade so that’s where he belongs. Even if Alex Leatherwood somehow manages to win the job back, banking on that without some competition and depth for the job is unwise.
Defensive interior
Projected starters: Johnathan Hankins, Bilal Nichols
When you let nearly all of your defensive interior walk in free agency and your best addition is Bilal Nichols, more competition and depth is needed. Hankins’ return helps a great deal as he is a proven starting nose tackle. After that, it’s big question marks. Drafting someone to compete for a spot in the rotation immediately is needed.
Wide receiver
Projected starters: Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow, Demarcus Robinson
They added Davante Adams, giving them a true number one. And they have good depth with free-agent additions like Demarcus Robinson and Mack Hollins. But the one element still missing is a speedy deep threat.
Cornerback
Projected starters: Trayvon Mullen, Nate Hobbs, Rock Ya-Sin
There’s a reason why even after the additions they made this offseason that the rumors were still flying of interest in Stephon Gilmore. And even with three possible starters and some added depth, more talent is needed to ensure they have at least five roster-worthy cornerbacks come the season.
Center
Projected starter: Andre James
Andre James is a replacement-level player who is the team’s starting center. He may prove to be worthy of that job. But he should also have to win the job against stout competition. And right now, they don’t have that. Not to mention, if they find a good center in the draft, odds are he can probably play guard too if needed. That kind of depth is essential.
