Las Vegas Raiders: 5 offseason needs in 2020

1. Continue to bolster the pass rush

Remember the heat head coach Jon Gruden and the organization took in 2018 when it opted to deal one-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack? The Raiders and Chicago Bears are still paying off each other in terms of draft choices. That season, Mack finished with 12.5 sacks and his new team was playoff bound for the first time since 2010. As for the Silver and Black, the club managed a paltry 13 sacks in 16 games, gave up the most points and TD passes in the league and finished with only four victories.

That year and in 2019, the team made a concerted effort to rebuild its defensive front via the draft. In ’18, the Raiders used three draft choices on that area. A year ago, Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell was the fourth overall selection in April and the club struck gold with the fourth-round addition of Maxx Crosby. The latter led the club with 10 quarterback traps and all told, Gruden’s squad more than doubled their sack total (32) from the previous season.

More fansided.com: NFL power rankings: 2020 edition – Chiefs at No. 1

But while some improvement was made, a closer look shows that the Raiders finished with only seven quarterback traps during the club’s 1-5 finish. And veteran reserves such as Benson Mayowa (7 sacks in ’19), Dion Jordan (2) and Josh Mauro are among those slated for free agency. There is young depth with two-year pros Arden Key and P.J. Hall. And 2018 fifth-round pick Maurice Hurst teams with Johnathan Hankins to secure the middle. But it would not be surprising to see the club add some performers who can bring the heat via April’s draft.