What condition all Raiders positions are in pre-free agency: Ranked from Critical to Strong

With the ‘What condition the position is in pre-free agency’ series complete, let’s round them up and see what we got. Since we focus on the need areas this time of year, I put them in order from the most critical to the strongest. I had given each position a condition, but used the poll results to help decide where each position fell in the list.

Critical

Cornerback

Poll results: Critical (67%)

Starters: Sean Smith, Gareon Conley

Notable depth: TJ Carrie

Free agent: TJ Carrie

Need: Potential starter should Smith be released, potential slot corner should Carrie not be brought back. Breakdown.

Defensive interior

Poll results: Critical (58%)

Starters: Mario Edwards Jr, Eddie Vanderdoes, Justin Ellis

Notable depth: Denico Autry

Free agents: Justin Ellis, Denico Autry

Needs: Nose tackle. Upgrade 3-tech. Breakdown.

Serious

Linebacker

Poll results: Unstable (38%), Serious (33%), Critical (18%)

Starters: NaVorro Bowman, Cory James

Notable depth: Nicholas Morrow

Free agent: NaVorro Bowman

Need: Potential replacement at middle linebacker should Bowman not be brought back. Breakdown.

Unstable

Offensive tackle

Poll results: Unstable (47%), Serious (28%)

Starters: Donald Penn, Marshall Newhouse

Notable depth: David Sharpe

Free agents: None

Need: Long term solution at left tackle, upgrade at right tackle. Breakdown.

Wide receiver

Poll results: Unstable (47%), Serious (23%)

Starters: Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree

Notable depth: Seth Roberts

Free agents: None

Need: Potential replacement should Crabtree be cut. Upgrade outside receiver and/or slot. Breakdown.

Running back

Poll results: Unstable (54%)

Starters: Marshawn Lynch, Jamize Olawale (FB)

Notable depth: Jalen Richard, DeAndre Washington

Free agent: None

Need: Potential starter if Lynch not brought back. Breakdown.

Edge rusher

Poll results: Unstable (47%)

Starters: Khalil Mack, Bruce Irvin

Notable depth: James Cowser

Free agents: None

Need: Potential replacement should Irvin not be brought back. Depth. Breakdown.

Tight end

Poll results: Unstable (48%), Stable (31%)

Starter: Jared Cook

Notable depth: Clive Walford

Free agent: Lee Smith

Need: Second tight end, preferably blocking. Breakdown.

Stable

Safety

Poll results: Stable (47%), Unstable (39%)

Starters: Reggie Nelson, Karl Joseph

Notable depth: Obi Melifonwu, Shalom Luani

Free agents: Reggie Nelson, Keith McGill

Need: Depth should Reggie Nelson not be re-signed. Breakdown.

Quarterback

Poll results: Stable (57%)

Starter: Derek Carr

Notable depth: Connor Cook

Free agent: EJ Manuel

Need: Veteran backup. Breakdown.

Strong

Offensive guard

Poll results: Strong (85%)

Starters: Kelechi Osemele, Gabe Jackson

Notable depth: Jon Feliciano

Free agent: None

Need: None. Breakdown.

Center

Poll results: Strong (88%)

Starter: Rodney Hudson

Notable depth: Jon Feliciano

Free agent: None

Need: None. Breakdown.

See conditions of: QB I RB I WR I TE I OT I OG I C I DI I ED I LB I CB I S