Oakland Raiders: Ranking biggest team needs in 2019 NFL Draft

As the 2019 NFL draft approaches, we’ll nail down the Oakland Raiders’ most pressing needs. How did free agency change their roster demands?

For the Oakland Raiders, free agency didn’t bring much change in terms of roster needs. The front office swiped offensive tackle Trent Brown, wide receiver Tyrell Williams and defensive back Lamarcus Joyner off the open market, but most of the acquisitions will compete for spots on the depth chart.

Head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock still have glaring holes on the defensive line, which isn’t ideal because it gives an idea of the team’s plans going into the 2019 NFL Draft.

Nonetheless, the Raiders have depth at multiple positions, but they need more starting-caliber players to field a competitive squad in 2019. With the exception of one, each of the top five needs has several unproven or backup-level contributors without a bonafide long-term starter.

Most front-office executives would agree there’s room for upgrades at nearly every position on the roster. In Oakland’s case, plenty of areas lack a lead playmaker. The Raiders have three first-rounders to cover their talent gaps, but it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see the Silver and Black trade down for more draft ammunition; more swings at the incoming talent increase the margin for error.

There’s a general consensus this draft doesn’t have much star power but provides value in the second and thirds at several positions. The Silver and Black could benefit from trading pick Nos. 24 or 27 for multiple slots between Nos. 40 and 100.

Regardless of where they will take their picks, Mayock and Gruden have a handful of positions that desperately need a talent or a player with a specific skill set. We’ll go through the top five.