The Oakland Raiders have many needs, perhaps none for prevalent than wide receiver and pass-rusher. The team's leading receiver last season was Andre Holmes with 693 yards. Justin Tuck led the team in sacks with 5.0. As you can see, it's bad.
Unfortunately, it didn't get any better in free agency. The Raiders were hoping to land multiple stars this offseason yet failed to sign an impact player at either position. That is why the upcoming NFL draft is so important. Oakland holds the No. 4 overall pick and will have the opportunity to draft a very talented player at a position of need. Who that player is and which position he plays is yet to be determined though.
"I've long been on the record saying Oakland needs to take a receiver, which I think is its biggest need, at No. 4," ESPN Raiders reporter Bill Williamson wrote. "The top two choices are Alabama's Amari Cooper and West Virginia's Kevin White. Either would become Oakland's best receiver and give quarterback Derek Carr a much-need weapon.
"However, that leaves the pass-rusher issue. The top pass-rushers in the draft are USC's Leonard Williams and Florida's Dante Fowler. Williams will most likely be gone by the time Oakland picks at No. 4 even if both quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota are off the board. Fowler should be available, although I think Cooper may be more highly rated."
One silver lining: this year's draft class is deep at receiver. Even if the Raiders pass on Cooper or White at No. 4, they could very well find a talented pass-catcher to help Carr in the later rounds. However, Cooper and White are considered some of the best overall prospects in this draft.
What do you think, Raiders fans? Should Oakland take one of the wide receivers or draft a pass-rusher? Let us know in the comments section.
