Ranking the Oakland Raiders 5 crucial roster needs for 2019 offseason
3. Linebacker
Every year, we revisit this conversation about the Raiders’ underwhelming linebacker corps. Under former general manager Reggie McKenzie, middle-round prospects and plug-in veterans became the norm at the position. Some fans are still waiting for Perry Riley Jr. and NaVorro Bowman to return.
In all seriousness, the Raiders have to stop placing old Band-Aids on the linebacker position and start looking at young talents in their primes or early-round prospects. Right now, the defense has one clear starting-caliber player on the second level, Tahir Whitehead, but he’s severely limited in space.
Opposing quarterbacks singled out Whitehead in coverage; he allowed the most touchdown receptions on the team (seven) last year. Furthermore, signal-callers recorded a 146.8 passer rating when targeting him, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). The 28-year old plays best moving downhill to stop the run as opposed to dropping back on his heels or shadowing pass-catchers.
The Raiders need a versatile linebacker who’s capable of covering running backs catching out of the backfield and receiving tight ends. It’s a league that’s moving toward spacing defenders thin. It’s important to add length and quickness to a modern-day linebacker corps.
When discussing the Raiders and their linebacker needs, C.J. Mosley, Anthony Barr, Preston Brown and Kwon Alexander should come to mind during free agency. Get to know Devin White, Devin Bush and Mack Wilson during the draft process. One or two of the aforementioned names could join a talent-needy unit.
For those who say the Cincinnati Bengals didn’t select linebackers early in the draft with Paul Guenther in the defensive coordinator role, take a look at Paul Dawson and Nick Vigil. Both linebackers went to Cincinnati as third-round picks.
If the Raiders take a linebacker in April, it could happen before the late rounds, which would be a positive change from the previous regime.
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