Raiders continue transforming franchise piece by piece, including NFL draft

You’d be hard-pressed to identify a team as transformational as the Raiders this offseason, starting with the hiring of Klint Kubiak as their head coach and bringing in Ravens All-Pro center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency.

They also made massive defensive improvements by signing linebackers Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean and edge rusher Kwity Paye.

Come draft night, they will add Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a prospect they believe will finally provide the franchise-caliber leader they have been seeking for years.

But it’s all just a start, with the organization understanding its rebuild is a multiyear proposition.

As the draft nears, here are their three biggest remaining needs:

X wide receiver

Make no mistake, the Raiders’ pass game runs through Brock Bowers, their dynamic tight end. For all intents and purposes, he is their No. 1 receiver.

That said, there is a giant void alongside him in terms of a true running partner, especially at the X receiver spot. The roster is simply devoid of a big, physical, vertical threat on the perimeter.

The club did a good job adding Vikings receiver Jalen Nailor, but his best work is out of the slot, and at 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, he doesn’t fit the physical profile of a true X receiver.

Jack Bech, who is heading into his second season, also profiles more as a slot receiver. Fellow second-year receiver Dont’e Thornton has an X receiver skill set as a 6-5 speed burner, but he has a long way to go to learn how to play wide receiver at the NFL level. Both youngsters face a big development year in 2026.

Veteran Tre Tucker led the Raiders’ wide receivers with 57 catches for 596 yards, but at 5-8, he’s more of a jack-of-all-trades weapon.

With no real options to turn to in free agency, the Raiders will look to the draft to add that element.

They could be in luck, too, with signs pointing to Washington’s Denzel Boston potentially being available when the Raiders pick in the second round at No. 36.

Boston fits the need profile almost perfectly at 6-4 and 212 pounds. His 11 touchdown catches are evidence of his effectiveness in the red zone. While he is excellent at coming up with 50/50 balls, he’s also a well-rounded route runner with enough savvy and athletic ability to create separation.

Had it not been for a late-season ACL injury, Louisville’s Chris Bell was being touted as a potential first-round pick. The injury could mean he’s available in the third round. Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields is another option to keep an eye on.

Defensive tackle

With the Raiders transitioning to a base 3-4 defense, they have a huge need for a traditional space-eating nose tackle able to eat double teams, make plays behind the line of scrimmage and create interior pass rush.

Most of their defensive tackles are built for the 4-3 front, with only second-year defensive lineman JJ Pegues and veteran Brodric Martin fitting the physical profile of a nose tackle.

It remains to be seen how much the Raiders actually line up in the 3-4 front, but if their intention is for that to be their primary defensive identity, then they need to find an interior anchor.

The club has been diligent in evaluating that position during the draft process, bringing in a handful of defensive tackles as part of their top-30 visits. It’s a signal that they are determined to uncover as appealing a prospect as possible, someone who can contribute from Day 1.

With wide receiver just as big a need, the Raiders could face an interesting decision on Day 2. But it feels likely they will use the second and third rounds to address both positions.

If they go defensive tackle in the second round, Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald would make a ton of sense. As would Georgia’s Christen Miller.

In the third round, Iowa State’s Domonique Orange could be a Day 1 early-down contributor.

Offensive tackle

The Raiders addressed the interior of their offensive line with the addition of Linderbaum, to whom they gave a record-breaking contract, and Spencer Burford, who projects as a quality depth piece.

But they didn’t beef up at tackle, a mild surprise considering the overall struggles of the offensive line.

Behind the scenes, the Raiders remain optimistic about young prospects DJ Glaze and Charles Grant, a pair of third-round picks between 2023 and 2024. And they will welcome veteran Kolton Miller back with open arms. Miller, their anchor at left tackle, played just four games last year after suffering an ankle injury.

Grant and Glaze will compete for the starting job at right tackle.

However, don’t be surprised if they add at least one more tackle through the draft, especially if a top prospect falls to them in the second round.

If Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor is on the board at pick No. 36 in the second round, he would be hard to pass up. As would Clemson’s Blake Miller.

In the third round, if Northwestern’s Caleb Tiernan or Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor fall to them at No. 67, they make a lot of sense. Boise State’s Kage Casey is also an option in that round.

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