Oakland Raiders: Ranking Team’s Biggest Needs Heading Into The Draft

The Oakland Raiders are heading into this year’s NFL Draft with some clear cut needs to upgrade a few spots on a team that could be a very serious contender in 2017 if they can address those needs well.

Oakland Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie made some moves during the free agency that were surprising. To say the least. Knowing that it was the defense that was lacking last season, McKenzie opted to spend on offensive players like Cordarrelle Patterson, Jared Cook, and Marshall Newhouse. In fact, the only defensive signing during the free agency period was linebacker Jelani Jenkins.

The additions to the offensive side of the ball were surprising, but make an already potent Raiders offense that much more aggressive and dangerous. With the lightning fast Patterson potentially taking some snaps away from slot receiver Seth Roberts, the Raiders have found themselves with an embarrassment of riches in their receiving corps.

And of course, Cook provides a large, solid, reliable – and deceptively quick – target for quarterback Derek Carr to utilize. Down in the red zone is when we can expect to see Cook paying big dividends – and as a possible mentor to Clive Walford, the Raiders could be set at the tight end position for a while.

So, with the offense seemingly in pretty good shape, that leaves the defense with some serious needs to fill. And while there is still the possibility of adding a free agent or two later on during the offseason, the holes they have will likely be filled during the Draft.

With all of that in mind, let’s rank Oakland’s most glaring needs and their biggest holes to fill…