The Oakland Raiders want to invest as much as they can into top offensive performers to help the development of Derek Carr in his second year at quarterback. Head coach Jack Del Rio made it clear the franchise was all-in on Carr as the starting quarterback, but he will not be successful if there is not talent around him. The Raiders lacked offensive fire power in 2014 and intend to change that for the coming season.
The Raiders need a run game. Plain and simple, their rushing attach has left a lot to be desired over the past several seasons and 2014 was no different. Hoping short-term contracts would motivate players like Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew to revive their careers, the experiment failed to develop. Both McFadden and Jones-Drew struggled once again, likely causing them to either get released or not re-signed in the offseason. That leaves the team with Latavius Murray who was a breakout star in 2014, but needs assistance.
Oakland has been linked to a potential trade for LeSean McCoy if the Philadelphia Eagles make him available. The Raiders have been linked to McCoy since the mid-season trade deadline and could pull the trigger on a deal at the right asking price. CSNBayArea.com believes the Raiders will look towards free agent targets like Mark Ingram, Knowshon Moreno or CJ Spiller to run in tandem with Murray instead of trying to win a trade war for a back.
The wide receiver spot also needs plenty of focus in the coming year. Last year the Raiders opted for a committee, the leading receiver only putting up just north of 700 yards. That cannot happen again. The team could say goodbye to pending free agents like Andre Holms and Rod Streater in favor of bigger names like Randall Cobb, Jeremy Maclin or Michael Crabtree. They could also make a move for a Larry Fitzgerald trade at a price.
Most mock draft boards have the Raiders taking Amari Cooper out of Alabama in the first round. That could be a solid move for the franchise. Cooper and James Jones along with another big name would give Carr the trio of players that most quarterbacks in the league have. Carr is looking more and more like the quarterback for the future in Oakland, but if he does not get better quality talent running with him, it will mean nothing.
