Oakland Raiders: 6 Questions That Need Answers Ahead of the Draft

Nov 29, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs the ball past Florida Gators defensive lineman Dante Fowler Jr. (6) and linebacker Antonio Morrison (3) during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Do The Raiders Go WR or DE With 4th Overall Pick?

It’s a question that is stirring a lot of debate among the Raider faithful as we creep ever closer to the draft. Oakland has a desperate need for both an impact wide receiver as well as a dominating edge rusher.

The question is – which way will Oakland go when they’re on the clock?

Oct 5, 2013; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defender Randy Gregory (44) tackles Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Nathan Scheelaase (2) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 39-19. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Given the comments made recently by McKenzie and HC Jack Del Rio, you would almost have to think Oakland is leaning toward taking one of the high impact edge rushers in the draft – Dante Fowler, Vic Beasley, or Randy Gregory.

All three have tremendous upside, and incredible potential. And they would definitely put a jolt of life into an Oakland pass rush that accumulated a paltry total of 22 sacks last season – just seven by its defensive ends.

But there have also been whispers about the possibility of moving last year’s rookie standout, Khalil Mack, to defensive end and letting him use his speed, explosiveness, and freakish athleticism to create mismatch nightmares for opposing tackles. It’s a theory that makes some sense given the acquisitions of linebackers Curtis Lofton and Malcolm Smith. In theory, Lofton and Smith would start alongside Sio Moore while Mack was allowed to do what he does best – tee off on the quarterback.

However – having missed out on free agent target Randall Cobb, who opted to re-sign with Green Bay, and not making much of an effort to pursue Jeremy Maclin, the Raiders are in a position of needing some more weapons to put around Carr.

Rod Streater returning after an injury cost him most all of the 2014 season will be a big boost to the Raiders’ offense. James Jones was steady last season, Brice Butler had some terrific moments and seemed to develop some solid chemistry with Carr – as did Andre Holmes, who may or may not be back. And Oakland still doesn’t quite know what it has in Kenbrell Thompkins just yet.

What they do know is that they need a playmaking receiver who can stretch the field and allow Carr to take some deep shots, or clear it out enough that he can dump it underneath. Streater will undoubtedly help with that, but a big time playmaker like Amari Cooper or Kevin White would also vastly upgrade a receiving corps that desperately needs it.

Next: Decisions, Decisions, Decisions Pt. II...