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2016 NFL offseason: Oakland Raiders needs

By Patrick Morgan

Oct 12, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders helmet on the turf during the second half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders helmet on the turf during the second half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III (1) runs out of the tunnel before the game against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III (1) runs out of the tunnel before the game against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Draft strategy

The Raiders will enter the NFL Draft with the 14th pick of the first round. It feels as if Oakland has lived in the top ten of the draft order for a decade-plus now, so it will be interesting to see what the team does with a true middle-of-the-pack slot.

Many big names will undoubtedly be off the board by the time McKenzio and Del Rio are on the clock, but there’s really no need for them to try and move up the board via trade. It’s a testament to the solid roster McKenzie has assembled that he can sit back and wait to see what the best value still available to him is halfway through the first round, then proceed with a selection accordingly. This Raiders team certainly has its share of weaknesses, but none are so obnoxiously glaring that they warrant desperate maneuverings on draft day.

That said, the first major area the Raiders should look to address in the draft is at cornerback. Even if they end up poaching a big-name corner in free agency, they should consider nabbing Florida defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III if he’s still available at No. 14.

Hargreaves would fill two immediate needs for the Raiders — shutdown corner and return specialist — and his crazy speed and athleticism would surely earn the seal of approval from the late Al Davis, who loved to stockpile some of the fastest, flashiest players coming out of college. Former first round pick D.J. Hayden has largely disappointed in his first three seasons at corner, and Hargreaves would challenge him to start right out of the gates.

If Oakland does indeed let offensive guard J’Marcus Webb walk, they could consider replacing him with Michigan State lineman Jack Conklin. The stalwart Spartan likely won’t make it out of the first round, so if the Raiders use their first pick at corner, they might be out luck with Conklin. It really will come down to which position the team values more, as both cornerback and offensive tackle are weaknesses, and whether or not one or both players are still available at No. 14.

In later rounds, the Raiders should look to further reinforce their secondary at corner and both safety positions. They should also explore drafting a defensive end who can hold down the fort opposite Khalil Mack while the talented but troubled Aldon Smith serves the remainder of his suspension. And because they’re the Raiders, they might as well take a flier on an attractive running back or receiver who sees his name slip a bit on draft day — someone like UCLA’s Paul Perkins, Arizona State’s D.J. Foster, or Illinois’ Geronimo Allison.

I mean, with a name like ‘Geronimo,’ the kid has Raider written all over him.

Next: Summary

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