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Oakland Raiders: Ranking biggest team needs in 2019 NFL Draft

By Maurice Moton

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Oakland Raiders during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Oakland Raiders during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 18: Marquel Lee #55 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates on the field after the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 18: Marquel Lee #55 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates on the field after the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

4. Linebacker

Once again, Oakland went to the bargain bin to address the linebacker position during free agency. Vontaze Burfict and Brandon Marshall signed one-year deals with the team.

Burfict played under defensive coordinator Paul Guenther for seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals; he clearly knows the system. On the flip side, the Pro Bowl linebacker has a concerning history of concussions, missed at least six contests in each of the last five terms because of injury or suspension and saw a sharp decline in production since the 2016 campaign.

Marshall is coming off an injury-riddled 2018 term — a knee ailment limited him to 11 appearances, which included seven starts. The former Denver Bronco recorded at least 39 stops for his former team between the 2014-17 terms, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He’ll immediately help the second-level run defense. However, the 29-year-old took his lumps in pass coverage over the last two terms.

Marshall allowed 20 completions out of 28 targets during the 2018 season and surrendered a 79.1 reception rate along with three passing touchdowns in 2017, per PFF.

In two seasons, Marquel Lee reaffirmed his run-stopping ability, but he’s broke up just three career passes. Oakland needs a more polished coverage linebacker to prevent opposing offenses from gashing the unit in space.

The Raiders don’t have a linebacker who deserves their full trust in passing situations on third downs. Because Burfict and Marshall have one-year deals, the front office should consider taking a prospect at the position during the draft.

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