Ranking the Oakland Raiders 5 crucial roster needs for 2019 offseason

4. Safety

Unlike the top three needs, Oakland has a recent first-round pick who’s yet to reach his potential at safety. The Raiders have a looming decision on whether to pick up Karl Joseph‘s fifth-year option, which will indicate their thoughts on his career trajectory with the team. The West Virginia product played sparingly early in the 2018 term and picked up his play with more opportunities late in the year.

Regardless of Joseph’s long-term status, the defense absolutely needs a coverage safety, who’s equipped to force turnovers (interceptions) and neutralize the opponent’s downfield options in the passing game. Erik Harris put together a solid year, but it’s questionable as to whether he continues to develop or plateaus in primarily a reserve role.

The safety market will provide several starting-caliber players for clubs like Raiders in need of help at the position. Earl Thomas, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Tre Boston, Tyrann Mathieu and Adrian Amos should generate interest once teams can negotiate with their agents.

Oakland can toss money at a solid player at this position with enough cash to hold on to in case a trade involving a costly talent comes along later in the offseason. Last year’s market didn’t yield many lucrative deals for safeties. Kurt Coleman signed the biggest deal worth $16.4 million over three years, per Spotrac; he was released Thursday.

Perhaps the Raiders can snag a starting-caliber safety at a fair price. With that said, the team’s $71.2 million gives the front office a lot of cushion to spend at a position of need.