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Oakland Raiders: 5 offseason needs

By Brad Weiss

Dec 24, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) gestures before the snap against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter at the Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) gestures before the snap against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter at the Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) celebrates with linebacker Daren Bates (56) and defensive tackle Darius Latham (75) after a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers during a NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) celebrates with linebacker Daren Bates (56) and defensive tackle Darius Latham (75) after a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers during a NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Re-sign Malcolm Smith and improve LB corps

While the offense is pretty loaded heading into 2017, the defense has way too many question marks. One big question mark is what to do with Malcolm Smith, who is slated to hit free agency this offseason. Smith has been a leader for the Oakland Raiders since coming over from the Seattle Seahawks, and brings a winning mentality to the field every Sunday.

While bringing back Smith has to be a priority, the fact of the matter is that he needs help alongside of him. The former Super Bowl MVP is the kind of player that other players rally around, but the lack of talent around him has to be alarming for Raiders fans. Khalil Mack is a tremendous talent, but he is more of a defensive end, and the lack of a stud in the middle of the linebacking corps always proves to be a problem each week.

The Raiders are never going to take the next step if they cannot bolster their defense, and it has to start in the middle. Teams easily run all over them, and really good quarterbacks can have a field day when they are making the throws over the middle. Oakland is going to be a playoff team in 2017, but it will be short-lived if they cannot find a way to stop the ball on defense, especially against elite offenses.