The Oakland Raiders have a ton of needs heading into the 2016 NFL Draft. The Raiders could use some new offensive linemen, a new playmaker in the secondary, a quality inside linebacker, a safety and a running back. The team has picked up a ton of help during the 2016 NFL Free Agency period, which eliminates some of these needs.
Oakland signed offensive guard Kelechi Osemele from the Baltimore Ravens and also re-signed their own offensive lineman Donald Penn. Both of those players should do a lot to help upgrade this offensive line, but targeting an offensive lineman later on in the draft might be the best option.
The Raiders could look to move up in the second round to select offensive guard Cody Whitehair, which would allow them to select the best player available at 14. Oakland needed a cornerback before free agency, and they have since signed Sean Smith formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs. Smith will be an immediate upgrade from any of the corners Oakland had started last season.
Drafting the best cornerback available, which would either be Mackensie Alexander, Eli Apple, or Vernon Hargreaves III, would be a solid course of action, but the Raiders could feel that because of the signing of Smith and his cost, adding a first round cornerback might be putting too much value into a defensive position that was already addressed in free agency.
The Raiders could also look to take the top inside linebacker in the 2016 NFL Draft: Reggie Ragland. Ragland has been rumored to be a target of the Green Bay Packers, but he will be the only prospect of his position taken in the first round.
Their next need would be safety, and considering that the top safeties in this draft (besides Jalen Ramsey) have second round grades, the Raiders could look to explore this option on the second day of the draft. That leaves the running back position, and yes, Latavius Murray has been one of the primary standouts on offense, but he also had a relatively disappointing end to the 2015 season.
Drafting Ezekiel Elliott with the 14th overall pick would be a great value selection if he is still around. Elliott is expected to go to four teams prior to the Raiders selection. However, if he remains on the board, Oakland can have a huge new offensive component that would add a whole new dynamic to their scheme. The Raiders must be prudent and take the player who can immediately start for this football team.
