Oakland Raiders: 5 offseason needs in 2019

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 24: Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden yells during the regular season NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Monday, Dec. 24, 2018 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Oakland Raiders defensive end Arden Key #99 watches from the bench during the final minutes of their NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Coliseum on September 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Rams defeated the Raiders 33-13. (Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/Mercury News via Getty Images) /

2. More pieces for the defensive line

It was apparent that the organization was determined to rebuild its defensive line via the draft. That’s not to say that was the impetus for the Oakland Raiders to deal talented Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears. It was more a business decision for the Silver and Black and if Jon Gruden and new general manager Mike Mayock play their draft cards right, it could wind up being a win-win for both teams.

Last April, the organization invested three of its nine selections in the draft to a dress that defensive line. The club added interior performers P.J. Hall and Maurice Hurst in the second and fifth rounds, respectively. And LSU defensive end Arden Key was a third-round pick.

Oakland allowed the third-most rushing yards in the NFL and finished with a league-worst 13 sacks. The club allowed a whopping 52 offensive touchdowns and the most points in the league (467). All but one of Oakland’s 16 opponents scored at least 20 points. Meanwhile, Mack helped take the Bears’ defense to the next level and would total 12.5 quarterback traps of his own.

As of this writing, the Raiders have 13 defensive linemen on their active roster. But six of those veterans, including the likes of Frostee Rucker, Johnathan Hankins, Kony Ealy and Clinton McDonald, can return to the open market on March 13. Will the youth movement continues in this vital area?

Next: No. 1

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