clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Ranking Raiders draft needs

New, comments

From receiver to kicker, the Raiders have the picks to fill needy areas

NFL Combine - Day 6
Jeff Gladney
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

With the NFL draft in 13 days and the Raiders being extremely busy in free agency (they signed 12 free agents from other teams), let’s look at the Raiders’ remaining needs heading into the draft:

Receiver:
We all know this is the Raiders’ biggest need. They will likely address it in the first round but it would be a shock if they use two top 100 picks at the position.

Cornerback:
This is the other likely first-round target. The Raiders would like to add a rookie who can step right in and play.

Safety:
Don’t sleep on this need just because Damarious Randall signed a one-year deal. If the right safety is there, the Raiders will take one early.

Linebacker:
The same goes here. Yes, they added starters Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski in free agency. They can still use another linebacker. It wouldn’t shock me if Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray is the choice at No. 19.

Defensive tackle:
It’s been reported that the Raiders are looking at potentially taking a defensive tackle early in the draft. It is my understanding that would likely be a run stuffer. It’s clear they’re looking at the spot:

Big backup running back:
There are greater needs, but this a mid-round target area.

Pass rusher:
They can always need help here.

Kicker:
If they aren’t sold on young Daniel Carlson, who struggled last year, they could look at a kicker.

Conclusion:
The Raiders currently have seven draft picks. They have needs of varying degrees. They should be able to fill most of them.