Seven spots where Raiders still need help

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The Raiders roster has undergone an overhaul these past few weeks. The Silver and Black have signed or re-signed 22 players, most of which have a real shot to make the regular-season roster. Experience has been added all over the depth chart in an attempt to quickly fix issues from last year’s 6-10 squad. Some well known players have been cut or traded and, even after all that activity, the Raiders aren’t done yet.

They have 11 draft picks coming later this month, and are constantly tinkering with the free agent market. General manager Reggie McKenzie and head coach Jon Gruden have addressed several pressing issues thus far. There are a few boxes left to check. Here are seven spots where the Raiders still need help right away.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Gruden made this need known during the NFL owners meetings, saying the Raiders need an improved inside pass rush that must help Khalil Mack (and Bruce Irvin). He clearly wants better from Mario Edwards, but an outside addition seems mandatory. The Raiders flirted with free agent Ndamukong Suh, but he cancelled a date in Alameda and signed with the Rams.

The Raiders could well use their first-round pick on a defensive tackle, either Vita Vea or trade down a bit and take Michigan’s Maurice Hurst. There are other options later on as well. The Raiders are a bit deficient on the inside, and Gruden clearly wants help there right away.

LINEBACKER

Tahir Whitehead should be an every-down mainstay in this defense. McKenzie would prefer the former Detroit Lion play on the outside despite experience at all three linebacker spots. He’s best on the weak side, and could anchor that spot well. He could also play in the middle, but the Raiders might be best to add someone for that job.

NaVorro Bowman’s an obvious candidate, but he remains on the free-agent market. Updates on a possible deal have been scare since Drew Rosenhaus, Bowman’s agent, met with the Raiders at NFL owners meetings. The Raiders have made it clear they want him back, but there’s still no deal. They budgeted for Bowman and hoped to lock him up before free agency began, but that didn’t happen and then Raiders started spending money elsewhere. They’re tight on salary-cap space right now, but could shuffle things around to bring him back in. It takes two to make a deal, and value is clearly an issue. If they get Bowman back, plug him in and go play.

If not, Georgia’s Roquan Smith could fill that role well if selected in the NFL draft. The Raiders have Marquel Lee on the roster and could use him in the base package with others stepping in on passing downs.

EDGE RUSHER

Mack and Irvin are an excellent starting tandem. Those guys played most snaps the past two seasons and generated significant pressure despite at times lackluster push on the inside. That position needs some depth.

They might get some later Friday afternoon. Junior Galette arrived in Oakland on Thursday afternoon and for a free-agent visit the following day. He would be an excellent third option rushing from either side, and has been an efficient pass rusher even when sacks totals aren’t high.

CORNERBACK

The Raiders addressed this spot in free agency, adding Rashaan Melvin, Shareece Wright and Leon Hall. They could field a secondary with that group, confident in Gareon Conley and Melvin manning the outside. Either Hall or versatile safety Marcus Gilchrist can play the slot, with Wright as a versatile reserve. Another young cornerback, however, could help in the short and long term. There are plenty of quality options in the draft’s early rounds, and that guy could be an automatic No. 3 and a starter next year when Melvin’s set to hit free agency again.

The Raiders have numbers at cornerback, but could use more quality.

RECEIVER

The Raiders have made no secret of their search for receiving help, even after signing Jordy Nelson early in free agency. They’ll pair him with Amari Cooper, and have Seth Roberts as a slot option.

They still want more. The Raiders brought in Ryan Grant and Eric Decker, but didn’t sign either guy. A mid-round draft pick might be a solid solution to a team that needs depth at the position. The Raiders are unsettled from the No. 3 spot down. A young, sure-handed player could help right away. So could an outside burner capable of stretching a defense.

PUNTER

The Raiders need one right away after Marquette King was released last week. Free agency isn’t a treasure trove right now, and there are quality options in the draft.

Raiders special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia held private workouts with Texas’ Michael Dickson, Alabama’s JK Scott and Florida’s Johnny Townsend, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Going young seems like a proper move here, and the Raiders have Day 3 draft capital – two fifth-round picks and four sixth-round selections – to get the guy their want.

RIGHT TACKLE

The right tackle spot looks a lot like cornerback. The Raiders have personnel to fill out a depth chart, with experienced free-agent signing Breno Giacomini and young players with upside. It’s still possible, however, the starting right tackle isn’t on the roster yet.

The Raiders could draft an offensive tackle in the early rounds to start at right tackle and eventually take over on the left side. Donald Penn will be done after 2019 at the latest, and a drafted prospect could move to left tackle at that point, providing cheap talent at an expensive spot.

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