Oakland Raiders: Possible First Round Draft Targets After Free Agency

The Oakland Raiders will be picking near the end of round one of the upcoming NFL Draft – they haven’t been definitively linked to any one player, so let’s take a look at some more possible targets.

The offseason for Reggie McKenzie and the Oakland Raiders has been – surprising. And dramatic, to say the least. But there is still going to be football played this fall and so, perhaps it’s best to turn our attention back to the game itself.

Coming out of a playoff season, the 12-4 Raiders look to be in very good shape in a lot of ways. But they also have some glaring holes that need to be addressed. Holes that, if addressed well, can lead the team from the playoff level, to possibly, a championship level.

Free agency was surprising in that it seemed to focus more on the offensive side of the ball – surprising given that most of the team’s deficiencies were on the defensive side. But McKenzie brought in tight end Jared Cook, wide receiver/kick returner Cordarelle Patterson, quarterback EJ Manuel, and offensive lineman Marshall Newhouse.

In fact, the only defensive signing of the free agency period for Oakland was linebacker Jelani Jenkins.

Which means, they will likely be very busy trying to build, strengthen, and deepen that side of the ball during the Draft.

It’s a good thing then, that the Draft is loaded with some serious defensive talent at the positions Oakland needs to upgrade the most – linebackers, cornerbacks, and defensive tackles.

So, with some serious talent on the board, let’s look at a few more prospects would could fit in well with the Silver and Black.