Raiders team needs – Page 2 – Syndication Server

What condition the position is in: Assessing Raiders level of need at safety ahead of NFL Draft

Assessing Raiders level of need at safety ahead of the Draft

We take a look at the safety position for the Raiders as the draft approaches to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Current projected starters: Tre’von Moehrig, Marcus Epps

Depth: Jaquan Johnson, Roderic Teamer, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Jalen Elliott

This time last year, it was former first round pick Johnathan Abram and second round pick Tre’von Moehrig set to start at the two safety spots.

It would be Abram’s final season due to his rookie deal not being picked up. And he didn’t even make it through that season before being released. The former 27th overall pick was waived on November 8.

His release moved veteran Duron Harmon into a starting role and after the season the Raiders didn’t re-sign him. Thus leaving the position wide open.

To fill that spot opposite Moehrig, the team signed former Eagles’ starting safety Marcus Epps. They also added depth in Jaquan Johnson and brought back Roderick Teamer.

Condition: Stable

The above starters and backups along with undrafted Isaiah Pola-Mao – who showed some flashes as a rookie last season – the Raiders can probably get by with what they have at the safety spot, while keeping an eye out for some value additions on day three.

What condition the position is in: Assessing Raiders level of need at CB ahead of NFL Draft

Assessing Raiders level of need at CB ahead of the Draft

We take a look at the cornerback position for the Raiders as the draft approaches to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Current projected starters: Nate Hobbs, Brandon Facyson

Depth: Duke Shelley, David Long Jr, Tyler Hall, Amik Robertson, Sam Webb, Ike Brown, Bryce Cosby

Nate Hobbs is coming off a bit of a down season after a stellar rookie year. Mostly that’s because he does his best work in the slot and last season was asked to split time between inside and outside because he was their best option in either position.

This offseason the team added a couple mid-to-lower tier cornerbacks in Duke Shelley and David Long Jr. Both should add some depth to the unit.

Among the rest of the group, Tyler Hall showed the most potential to push for meaningful reps while Amik Robertson and Sam Webb had their moments as well.

Condition: Critical

They have the depth part down. That was a need going into the offseason. But they are still very much in need of a starting option on the outside, so as to keep Hobbs working the slot. This is a position that needs to be at the top of their mind with their first couple picks in this draft.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby7y715wxzbczy player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

What condition the position is in: Assessing Raiders level of need at LB ahead of NFL Draft

Assessing Raiders level of need at LB ahead of NFL Draft

We take a look at the linebacker position for the Raiders as the draft approaches to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Current projected starters: Divine Deablo, Robert Spillane

Depth: Luke Masterson, Darien Butler, Harvey Langi, Curtis Bolton, Kana’i Mauga

One of the team’s first wave free agent signings was former Steelers LB Robert Spillane. The sixth year linebacker has never been a full time starter, though he coming off a career-high 79 combined tackles last season, appearing in 16 games with five starts. Is it his time to play his best football? Who really knows, but the Raiders seem to be banking on it.

Deablo was injured much of the season, but was showing some promise before his injury. Masterson only started due to the injury to Denzel Perryman. Now Perryman is gone.

Condition: Unstable

Deablo has potential. Other than that they have a few middling talents among them and that’s about the best I can say for this crew.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby7y715wxzbczy player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

What condition the position is in: Assessing Raiders level of need at IOL ahead of NFL Draft

Assessing Raiders level of need along the interior offensive line ahead of the Draft

We take a look at the interior offensive line for the Raiders as the draft approaches to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Current projected starters: Dylan Parham, Andre James, Alex Bars

Depth: Netane Muti, Hroniss Grasu, Vitaly Gurman, Jordan Meredith

Parham was drafted to ultimately take over at center. But at this point, the team feels like the best thing might be for him to stay at left guard with Andre James at center.

Once they stopped moving Parham all over the line, he settled in and had a decent second half of his rookie season. James was his usual underwhelming presence, but you can’t fix everything all at once.

Bars was downright bad and must be replaced. They brought him back for some reason, but if he’s anything more than a utility backup, the Raiders offensive line is in trouble.

Condition: Critical

Since they neglected to sign anyone in free agency, drafting a starter at right guard is an absolute must. No position on the offense is more in need of an upgrade than that.

What condition the position is in: Assessing Raiders level of need at OT ahead of NFL Draft

Assessing Raiders level of need at OT ahead of the Draft

We take a look at the offensive tackle position for the Raiders as the draft approaches to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Current projected starters: Kolton Miller, Jermaine Eluemunor

Depth: Thayer Munford, Brandon Parker, Jackson Barton, Sebastian Gutierrez, Justin Murray

Miller is one of the more solid left tackles in the NFL. That’s a big hole to have filled to be certain. After that there is some uncertainty.

Eluemunor played well over the second half of last season and could be a serviceable right tackle. They re-signed him this offseason, which means he will get a chance to compete for the starting job as well as perhaps move back inside to guard.

Munford was the team’s pick in the seventh round last year and he could also compete for the job at right tackle.

Condition: Unstable

The Raiders could once again go into the offseason with a competition at right tackle. Or they could make a statement by selecting one high in the draft and thus solidifying both tackle spots for either Jimmy Garoppolo or a rookie QB. Though they can’t take tackle and QB high in this draft, so it will depend on how the draft shakes out.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby7y715wxzbczy player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

What condition the position is in: Assessing Raiders level of need at TE ahead of NFL Draft

Assessing Raiders level of need at TE ahead of the Draft

We take a look at the tight end position for the Raiders as the draft approaches to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Current projected starter: Austin Hooper

Depth: OJ Howard, Jesper Horsted, Cole Fotheringham

Tight end has been one of the strongest positions on the Raiders the past few seasons. And within a 24-hour period this offseason, all of that changed.

They traded away Pro Bowl tight end and franchise all-time single-season reception record holder Darren Waller and let Foster Moreau hit free agency.

They replaced Waller and Moreau with Austin Hooper and OJ Howard.

Once upon a time, Hooper made a couple Pro Bowls. But he hasn’t broken 450 yards receiving in a season in three years. Howard is much farther away, having not broken even 150 yards in the past three years.

Condition: Serious

Hooper and Howard don’t really look like the answer at tight end, but rather placeholders. Sure, they can both contribute, but day two pick at tight end would go a long way to bolstering this unit.

What condition the position is in: Assessing Raiders level of need at WR ahead of NFL Draft

Assessing Raiders level of need at WR ahead of the Draft

We take a look at the wide receiver position for the Raiders as the draft approaches to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Starters: Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow, Jakobi Meyers

Depth: Phillip Dorsett, DeAndre Carter, Keelan Cole, Cam Sims, DJ Turner, Chris Lacy, Tyler Johnson, Isaiah Zuber

DaVante Adams is arguably the league’s top wide receiver. Even is Derek Carr’s worst season since he was a rookie, Adams put up tremendous numbers and was named an All Pro for the third straight year.

Adams is joined on the outside by former Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. The former undrafted free agent out of NC State has been a full time starter in New England the past three seasons, averaging over 800 yards receiving and put up a career-high six touchdowns in 2022. This after going without a touchdown for his first two NFL seasons.

Though Meyers played a good amount in the slot in New England, that’s where Renfrow makes his money as one of the league’s better slot receivers. Though Renfrow had a down year in part due to injury, he is just a year removed from a 103-catch season that had him in the Pro Bowl.

Condition: Strong

When you have Adams and Renfrow on the lineup, you’re well on your way. Replacing Mack Hollins with Jakobi Meyers may or may not be an upgrade, but it’s not a downgrade either. If they can utilize the speed of Dorsett and Carter to take the top off the defense, they may have really something in this group.

What condition the position is in: Assessing Raiders level of need at RB ahead of NFL Draft

Assessing Raiders level of need at RB ahead of the Draft

We take a look at the running back position for the Raiders as the draft approaches to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Current projected starters: Josh Jacobs, Jakob Johnson (FB)

Depth: Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah, Brittain Brown, Brandon Bolden, Austin Walter, Sincere McCormick

All of their running backs that were headed for free agents were either kept off the market or re-signed. That includes Josh Jacobs who was slapped with the franchise tag. The 2022 rushing title holder will be back, whether on the one-year tag or on a new long term deal (if one can be reached).

The law office of Jacobs and Jakob will return as well with Johnson clearing paths for Josh once again this season. Even Ameer Abdullah is back despite being misused and barely used all of last season.

Also in the mix will be veteran Brandon Bolden and 2022 drafted rookies Zamir White and Brittain Brown.

Condition: Strong

What was unstable a month ago due to the status of Jacobs is kept intact as the league’s top rushing attack from last season. With a mix of veteran and young depth behind Jacobs.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby7y715wxzbczy player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

What condition the position is in: Assessing Raiders level of need at QB ahead of NFL Draft

Assessing Raiders level of need at QB ahead of the Draft

We take a look at the quarterback position for the Raiders as the draft approaches to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Current projected starter: Jimmy Garoppolo

Depth: Brian Hoyer, Chase Garbers

Garoppolo steps in as the Raiders’ top free agent addition of the offseason after releasing Derek Carr. The 31-year-old reunited with Josh McDaniels who was his offensive coordinator for all his first three seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots.

Speaking of former Patriots QBs who McDaniels coached, Brian Hoyer joins the team on a two-year deal. The 37-year-old journeyman spent his first three NFL seasons in New England with McDaniels as his OC another three seasons in 2018, 2020-21. He basically replaces another former McDaniels QB in Jarrett Stidham who started the final two games of last season for the Raiders and left in free agency.

Condition: Serious

Why: Even with Garoppolo in house, it doesn’t eliminate the need at the position for a long term answer. It may not even eliminate the need in the short term. Garoppolo has his flaws as a passer, not the least of which being his health, having missed 18 games over the past three seasons. He is mostly an insurance plan in case the Raiders aren’t able to get a QB they want in this draft or if that QB needs extra time to develop.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby7y715wxzbczy player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Ranking the Raiders biggest need positions ahead of free agency

Raiders have a lot of needs to think about this free agency. And in this order.

With Free Agency just over a week away, we take a look at the Raiders’ need positions ahead of free agency ranking them starting with the most critical and going from there.

Critical

Quarterback

Returning starter: ???

Depth: Chase Garbers

Free agents: Jarrett Stidham

Derek Carr is gone. Cut after nine seasons. Whether it’s free agency or the draft, adding a starting QB and a primary backup will be necessary. The Raiders need to seriously think about re-signing Stidham if for no other reason than to have an insurance plan.

Interior offensive line

Starters: Dylan Parham, Andre James, Alex Bars

Depth: Netane Muti, Hroniss Grasu, Vitaly Gurman, Jordan Meredith

Dylan Parham is the only surefire interior lineman. He can play guard or center. An upgrade for Andre James would be good too. Either way, they are desperate for at least one new starter at guard, and possibly an upgrade at another position.

Cornerback

Returning starters: Nate Hobbs

Depth: Tyler Hall, Amik Robertson, Sam Webb, Ike Brown, Bryce Cosby

Free agents: Rock Ya-Sin, Anthony Averett, Sidney Jones

Why: Hobbs can play outside but does his best work in the slot and good slot corners are not easy to find. With Rock Ya-Sin headed for free agency, there simply isn’t a surefire starter on the outside. That’s two crucial positions.

Pages: 1234