{"id":77542,"date":"2019-12-08T07:07:07","date_gmt":"2019-12-08T12:07:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=77542"},"modified":"2021-03-14T15:40:13","modified_gmt":"2021-03-14T19:40:13","slug":"oakland-raiders-2020-nfl-draft-needs-defense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/12\/08\/oakland-raiders-2020-nfl-draft-needs-defense\/","title":{"rendered":"Oakland Raiders NFL Draft Needs \u2013 Defense"},"content":{"rendered":"

Too often we wait for the off-season to analyze teams\u2019 strengths and weaknesses. We end up looking back at statistics and box scores in an attempt to find deficiencies. Last week I took a look at the Raiders offensive draft needs<\/a>. This week I’ll take a look at the defense, in season, with an eye towards the Oakland Raiders NFL Draft in 2020. As it stands now, the Oakland Raiders have two first-round picks, no pick in the second round, and three picks in the third round. With that many high end picks, expect a few new impact faces on defense in 2020.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Oakland Raiders 2020 NFL Draft Needs on Defense<\/b><\/h2>\n

Defensive Line<\/span><\/h3>\n

The last two drafts have seen the Raiders bring in a couple of tag teams. They loaded up on defensive tackle, with Maurice Hurst<\/a><\/strong> and P.J. Hall<\/a><\/strong> in 2018. Then they turned around and drafted defensive ends Clelin Ferrell<\/a><\/strong> and Maxx Crosby<\/a><\/strong> in 2019. That\u2019s a young, solid foundation for the defense. Crosby appears to be a star in the making while the other three have flashed at times. Even with the young core, pass rush is still a need. Benson Mayowa<\/a><\/strong> and Dion Jordan<\/a><\/strong> are both on one-year contracts and I can see a scenario where neither are Raiders next season. Johnathan Hankins<\/a><\/strong> has graded out well as a run-stopper and will be back in the rotation with Hall and Hurst.<\/span><\/p>\n

Draft Need: Low<\/i><\/b>. A third defensive end is definitely a need but a considerable amount of draft capital has been spent on the position. Unless an elite prospect falls to the Raiders, I think free agency will fill the needs here. Look forward to Gruden and Mayock letting the young defensive linemen prove themselves in 2020.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Linebacker<\/span><\/h3>\n

This is one unit where I can see a complete overhaul coming for the Oakland Raiders. Tight ends and running backs have killed the Raiders in the passing game and as a result the team has been terrible on third down, <\/span>allowing teams to convert 44% of the time<\/span><\/a>. The league seemingly wants to do away with Vontaze Burfict<\/a><\/strong>. Tahir Whitehead<\/a><\/strong> and Will Compton<\/strong> have filled in admirably but neither look like the long term answer. Nicholas Morrow<\/a><\/strong> and Marquel Lee<\/a><\/strong> have shown flashes over the last two years but neither have graded out at a high-level with any consistency. We\u2019ll see if new addition Preston Brown<\/a><\/strong> can provide a spark in the last quarter of the season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Draft Need: High<\/i><\/b>. Linebacker was not a draft priority for the last regime and so far Gruden hasn\u2019t shown it\u2019s a priority for him either. The lack of explosive talent shows. That has to change this offseason. Isaiah Simmons<\/strong> is a great fit and would be a steal<\/a> if he\u2019s available when the Raiders are on the clock in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Much like wide receiver, I can see the Raiders double dipping and adding a second linebacker in the middle rounds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Defensive Back<\/span><\/h3>\n

Whew, where do I start?? The good- rookie cornerback Trayvon Mullen<\/a><\/strong> looks like a keeper. Versatile veterans Daryl Worley<\/a><\/strong> and Erik Harris<\/a><\/strong> have stepped up and been playmakers. First-round safety Johnathan Abram<\/a><\/strong> only played in one game but looked like the enforcer the Raider defense needs. The bad- Lamarcus Joyner<\/a><\/strong> has not played well in the slot and looks like he needs to move back to safety. Karl Joseph<\/a><\/strong> was lost for the season just when it started to look like he was turning a corner. Nevin Lawson<\/a><\/strong> still hasn’t figured out the whole catching the ball thing. The jury is still out on rookie corner Isaiah Johnson<\/a><\/strong> who needs more snaps after missing half the season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Draft Need: Moderate. <\/i><\/b>Having Abram back next season will make a big difference. As a whole, however, the Raiders defensive backfield is littered with replacement level players. While an influx of talent is needed at both corner and safety, I think linebacker and wide receiver are bigger needs at the moment. I expect the Raiders to look hard for a starter or two for the defensive backfield in free agency and use the draft to pick up a project or two.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Main photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>