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

Also, Arguably, Oakland’s Biggest Need

Inside linebacker is arguably, the single most pressing need for this Raiders defense. For the last few seasons, we’ve seen a group that has gotten pushed up one side of the field and down the other. They have been victimized by opposing tight ends – regularly – and have consistently been the weakest link on a defense that’s had some issues.

While Jenkins is conceivably, a plug and play solution to Oakland’s pressing need at linebacker – they need guys who can defend the run and pass equally as well – they’re likely going to need to add a little more depth to the position.

Depth is much needed given the fact that Ben Heeney is looking like Miles Burris 2.0, Corey James isn’t anywhere near polished enough yet, and Neiron Ball continues to be a big question mark.

Last season, Perry Riley Jr. came in off the street and provided some solid, reliable play at the inside linebacker spot. No, he may not have been spectacular, but he wasn’t a liability, either. He made some plays and helped keep that position group afloat.

And the Raiders inexplicably let him walk away as a free agent. Money could have been the overriding factor, but having cut Dan Williams, the Raiders found themselves with an additional $4.5 million to spend – and yet, there is still nothing but crickets when it comes to Riley.

Which means that the Raiders will very likely be addressing the position in the Draft.

Even though the consensus top linebacker in the Draft – Reuben Foster – is very likely going to be gone by the time Oakland is on the clock, the Raiders still have some very solid options.

Two solid options for the Raiders when they’re on the clock would be Florida’s Jarrad Davis or Temple’s Zach Cunningham.

Both have terrific size – Davis is 6’1”, 238 pounds, Cunningham is 6’3”, 234 pounds – and speed to burn. Both are stout against the run, but also dangerous against the pass. Basically, they’re both everything in a linebacker the Raiders want, but haven’t had in quite a few years.

Either would be fantastic and could very well start immediately – but when the Raiders are on the clock, if Davis is there, because he projects to be the better prospect of the two, he should be Oakland’s first round pick.