Oakland Raiders: Final rankings of team needs before 2018 NFL Draft

1. Middle Linebacker

NaVorro Bowman remains a free agent, which opens a perpetual void in the middle of the defense. Expect defensive coordinator Paul Guenther to move Tahir Whitehead across the formation. He can play all three linebacker spots. Though, he’s played best on the strong side during the 2015 campaign and most recently on the weak side.

As it stands, second-year linebacker Marquel Lee would step into a starter role with Cory James likely taking over on passing downs. The former took the field for just 171 snaps as a rookie. The latter isn’t a natural fit on the inside. Both would need to show significant progress to put a stronghold on the pole position in the middle.

Perhaps Gruden’s influence forces general manager Reggie McKenzie’s hand in choosing an inside linebacker with a higher ceiling in the early rounds. Over the past few seasons, the Raiders have struggled to find a long-term starter at the position.

If he’s available, Roquan Smith could strengthen Oakland’s linebacker corps. According to ESPN’s Todd McShay, team brass has its sights set on the Georgia product via San Francisco Chronicle reporter Matt Kawahara:

"Roquan Smith is the guy. I don’t know that they would be willing to give away additional picks later to go up and get him. But he’s the guy they want. Again, I don’t know that they want to move up and go get him. But I do know that there’s a lot of love for Roquan Smith in that building."

Next: NFL Mock Draft: Unexpected first-round picks, final week

The San Francisco 49ers may choose to select Smith one spot before the Raiders as Reuben Foster deals with his legal matters. Nonetheless, it’s a positive to hear there’s deep interest in a high-end prospect at the position. In recent drafts, McKenzie has relied on middle-to-late round sleeper picks to rise through the ranks as surprise starters. The approach has failed to produce a long-term solution to the void at the position.