The Oakland Raiders have quickly become the sleeper team to watch out for in 2016, as they have added some significant players to both sides of the ball in free agency this offseason. Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio led the Silver and Black to a 7-9 record in his first season in Oakland, and with quarterback Derek Carr emerging as one of the young up-and-coming quarterbacks in the NFL, the future looks bright for Raiders fans.
Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie picked up some of the top free agents on the open market this offseason, including offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele, linebacker Bruce Irvin and cornerback Sean Smith. The Raiders had big question marks on their offensive line, but after signing Osemele and retaining offensive tackle Donald Penn, they are in the conversation as one of the best offensive lines in the entire league.
The Raiders will likely look to add another offensive tackle in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft, but they should be looking at the defensive side of the ball with their first round pick. Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack proved himself an elite talent in his second season in Oakland, recording 77 combined tackles, 15 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Oakland has already bolstered their pass rush landing Irvin in free agency but should look to add to the interior of their defensive line with the 14th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. This year's draft class is expected to be loaded with talented interior defensive linemen, and two players the Raiders should look to target in the first round are Alabama defensive tackle Jarran Reed and Louisville defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins.
The Raiders could follow last year's first round pick of Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper with Reed in this year's draft. The 6-foot-3, 307-pound defensive tackle is an elite run defender and would give the Raiders an immediate presence in the interior of their defensive line at the start of the regular season. Reed recorded 57 combined tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss and a sack in his senior season with the Crimson Tide, and he was a huge part of their National Championship run last season.
Reed isn't the only defensive tackle prospect that would give and immediate impact on the Raiders defensive front in 2016, as Rankins could make a strong fit in Oakland's defense, as well. The 6-foot-1, 299-pound defensive tackle is a bit undersized for an interior defensive lineman, but his athletic ability and explosiveness off the ball will lead one team to take him in the first round. In his senior season, Rankins recorded 58 total tackles, 13 tackles for a loss and six sacks.
Rankins could slide past the Raiders with the 14th overall pick, but he is considered by some to be one of the most underrated defensive prospects in this year's class. The Raiders should heavily consider going defensive tackle in the first round of the draft and landing either Rankins or Reed could fill an immediate need, as well as make the Silver and Black's front seven one of the most feared in the NFL.
