NFL Oakland Raiders

5 Changes the Oakland Raiders Need To Make In 2015

Fresh Videos

By @Kevin_Saito

5 Changes the Oakland Raiders Need To Make In 2015

Open Slide
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Like a lot of teams, the Oakland Raiders have a lot of work to do this offseason, but with quite a few still glaring areas of need, perhaps Oakland has more than most. That comes with posting a 3-13 record, but with the emergence of players like Derek Carr, Khalil Mack and Gabe Jacson, there is optimism in Oakland. Now they need to build on that hope with a solid offseason by making some much needed changes to the team.

5. Bring In Competent Coordinators

Coordinators
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

5. Bring In Competent Coordinators

Coordinators
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Whoever the next head coach of the Raiders is, he will need to make immediate changes in the coaching staff. Most specifically, the next head coach will need to send OC Greg Olson and DC Jason Tarver packing -- both have been terrible and their playcalling has been questionable at best. Oakland needs strong coordinators who will tailor the scheme around the players rather than the other way around – like Olson and Tarver.

4. Bring In A Dominant Pass Rusher

Pass Rusher
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

4. Bring In A Dominant Pass Rusher

Pass Rusher
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland's revamped defensive front was expected to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. It didn't work out that way, as the Raiders posted one of the smallest sack totals in the league. The pass rush was non-existent and opposing QBs consistently had too much time to dissect the Raiders' defense. Whether through the draft, trade or FA signing, the Raiders need dominant pass rushers who can disrupt an offense, and they need them quickly.

3. Rebuild the Receiving Corps

Receivers
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

3. Rebuild the Receiving Corps

Receivers
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland's receivers had their moments in 2014, but inconsistency and dropped passes prevented more of those moments from happening. Oakland needs a legitimate downfield threat, as well as receivers who can hang on to the ball. The return of Rod Streater will help, and letting Denarius Moore walk as a free agent seems addition by subtraction. But the deficiencies among the receiving corps must be addressed this offseason.

2. Rebuild the Running Game

Running Game
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

2. Rebuild the Running Game

Running Game
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Latavius Murray began to emerge as a running back with power and explosiveness. He appears to be poised to lead Oakland's ground game to heights it hasn't been to in quite some time, but he's going to need help. Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew proved that they weren't the answer to Oakland's running woes, so the Raiders will need to find some serviceable backups to Murray and backs who can help spark the running game.

1. Address Lack of Depth, Deficiencies In the Secondary

Secondary
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

1. Address Lack of Depth, Deficiencies In the Secondary

Secondary
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers proved to not be the answers the Raiders were looking for in 2014. While neither was terrible before being dropped on the IR, neither was spectacular either. They were just this side of adequate, actually. Provided they can stay healthy, TJ Carrie and DJ Hayden figure to be the starters in 2015, but they are going to need more help if Oakland is to field a secondary that can shut down an opponent's passing game.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on