The main offensive needs for the Las Vegas Raiders before the NFL Draft
Although the Raiders’ offensive difficulties were numerous, most of them stemmed from a strong offensive roster and incompetent play-calling. The Raiders may use the upcoming NFL Draft to help strengthen their offense going into next season, especially with a new offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, and general manager joining the team this summer.
Whether to use the 13th overall pick on a need or a want will be the Raiders’ most crucial NFL Draft choice. Of all the positions, offensive linemen are definitely the most important to their offense. They lost several starters from their offensive line in free agency this summer, and their offensive line struggled at times during the previous offseason.
The Raiders’ offensive line is severely lacking as a result of Jermaine Eluemunor’s departure. The group of starting offensive linemen is already severely thin, with little to no depth behind them. Sometime during the draft, Las Vegas needs to emerge with a strong offensive lineman.
The Raiders theoretically still need a quarterback. Not as urgently as an offensive lineman of caliber, though. With an upgraded team surrounding him and an entire offseason to prepare as a starter, quarterback Aidan O’Connell was well enough in his previous campaign to merit a chance this year.
But the Raiders have every right to bolster their quarterback position with another draft pick if they see fit. It’s arguable where Las Vegas should select a quarterback and which quarterback the Raiders should pick in the draft.
Even if the Raiders think all three of their running backs can perform well this season, it wouldn’t be shocking if they invested a mid-to late-round draft pick in a running back in order to prepare for the future. The Raiders’ offensive strategy of relying on running backs by committee is probably here to stay.
Of all the position groups, the Raiders are clearly most set at wide receiver. It is unlikely that the Raiders will utilize any of their draft selections on a wide receiver given Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker’s rise, and tight end Michael Mayer, but anything can happen.