5 positions the Raiders must address this offseason
The Oakland Raiders enjoyed their most successful season since 2011 this year, but by no means is their rebuild complete. They'll focus on defense this offseason after losing a leader in safety Charles Woodson and a suspended star in linebacker Aldon Smith. They'll seek to address both needs (and more) as they seek to build a unit that can rival their young and promising offense -- as well as rival two current in-division playoff teams.
Here's where general manager Reggie McKenzie should look to improve this offseason:
1. Safety
Even a legendary cover man like Woodson couldn't offset the Raiders' deep-seated need for safety help. Nate Allen, who was lost for weeks with a knee injury, isn't the answer. Neither is T.J. Carrie, a career cornerback, or Taylor Mays, a college star but NFL bust. One potential solution? Giving prized free agent Eric Weddle a chance to play two revenge games a year against his soon-to-be former team, the Chargers.
2. Linebacker
It's odd that McKenzie has such a hard time keeping quality linebackers around; he played four seasons at the position in the pros. But the GM dealt Sio Moore, a leading tackler, early in the 2015 campaign. He also released ex-starter Ray-Ray Armstrong, leave the depth chart bare. Oakland posted the 13th-best run defense and routinely lost vs. opposing tight ends. They could use an impact 'backer or two.
3. Cornerback
Scrap-heap free agent David Amerson was a revelation in coverage. Former first-round pick DJ Hayden was not, and only six teams surrendered more passing yards than Oakland did. It might be wise to grab a cornerstone cornerback via the draft to pair with Khalil Mack. Free-agent options include the Bengals' Leon Hall and the Giants' Prince Amukamara.
4. Defensive tackle
Dan Williams and Justin Ellis were pleasntly passable on the interior of Oakland's defense line. What the need now is a true pocket collapser -- someone to keep quarterbacks from bailing outside the pocket as Mack crashes in. McKenzie has some familiarity with B.J. Raji from their days in Green Bay.
5. Offensive guard
Gabe Jackson is an absolute monster -- he blocked for the vast majority of Oakland's power runs this year. But that got predictable, and maybe defenses keyed in on Jackson's role. Grab another Jackson, though, and picking a side for run defense gets so much tougher. There's a good option right across the Bay in Alex Boone.
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