Austin Capps asks:
"If you could bring back any Raiders player from any era to play this season, who would you pick?"
What a fantastic question, and there are honestly so many options.
You can't go wrong with choosing any of the many former Raiders players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But going back to the question, Austin is specifically asking who I'd add to this upcoming 2024 Las Vegas Raiders team. With that being said, let's look at the Raiders current position of needs.
Throughout the draft process, Head Coach Antonio Pierce has mentioned desire to add a quarterback and a cornerback to the roster. While looking at quarterback options, the late Ken "Snake" Stabler is arguably one of the greatest signal-callers in franchise history. He led the Silver and Black to their first Super Bowl in the 1976 season, plus has four Pro Bowl selections and a 1974 NFL MVP to his name.
At the cornerback position, there's a who's who of great CBs to play for the Raiders – essentially becoming a hypothetical pick your poison between Hall of Famers Charles Woodson, Mike Haynes and Willie Brown.
But if I had to choose just one player, I'm going to have ride with C-Wood. The Raiders already have a promising outside cornerback in Jack Jones who had two pick-sixes last season. Nate Hobbs has also proven to be a capable cornerback, and arguably the best open field tackler on the roster. However, with the addition of Charles Woodson, you can move Hobbs from outside cornerback back to nickel where he flourished his rookie season. Also, the starting nickel cornerback spot will be up for grabs as both Amik Robertson and Tyler Hall left in free agency.
Woodson is one of 10 players in football history to win the Heisman Trophy and also be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He still holds franchise records for most forced fumbles (18), pass deflections (84) and is tied for the most defensive touchdowns (13) in NFL history. With Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins up front rushing the passer, the addition of Woodson would be a serious problem for opponents.
Héctor Camarena asks:
"Are we drafting a linebacker?"
It certainly is a possibility based off the talent pool at that position.
With Graham running 3-4 base defense, an outside linebacker might be the best route to go later in the draft. Divine Deablo and Robert Spillane have shown glimpses of being a powerful middle linebacker duo.
At No. 13, the best options for the Raiders could be Alabama's Dallas Turner (10 sacks, 14.5 TFLs in 2023) or UCLA's Laiatu Latu (13 sacks, 21.5 TFLs). In later rounds, Turner's teammate Chris Braswell would be another great option with eight sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss last season.
The list of off-ball linebackers is bountiful as well, headlined by NC State's Payton Wilson and Clemson's Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Wilson is the reigning Chuck Bednarik Award winner, given annually to the best defensive player in college football. He also ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.43) of all linebackers at the NFL Combine back in February. Trotter Jr., the son of the former NFL All-Pro linebacker, compiled four interceptions, 13 sacks and nearly 200 total tackles in three seasons at Clemson.
To finish off with an interesting note, General Manager Tom Telesco drafted a linebacker in nine of his 11 seasons with the Chargers.
Shelby Mitchell said:
"Need the offensive line bulked up for sure."
The offensive line is returning four out of five starters, including Thayer Munford Jr. who started 10 games as swing tackle. There are still questions to be answered on who else the Raiders will bring in at guard and who will compete with Munford for the starting right tackle opportunity.
"You want to win now, you want to put the best team together now, but you also understand it's a process," Pierce said of building the O-line. "It's a process, and that's great question about the offensive line, because that's something that we still need to fill there, at that position. And there's 1,000 ways to do it, right? It's not always through free agency. There's a draft, and then there's other ways."
With the draft nearing, the Raiders are in prime position to take an offensive lineman in the first round. Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga and Alabama's JC Latham have been linked to the Silver and Black in several mock drafts. A few top options still available in free agency include 2020 first-rounder Mekhi Becton, former Denver Broncos guard Dalton Risner and Greg Van Roten, who started all 17 games at guard for the Raiders in 2023.
Take a look at the best photos from the Las Vegas Raiders Foundation inaugural Silver & Black Gala, an event focused on mental health awareness and fundraising for the Legal Aid of Southern Nevada's Resiliency & Justice Center.
A 2024 Ford Bronco Raptor for the silent action during the Las Vegas Raiders Foundation inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Jerry Robinson during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Grant Irons and board of directors member Larry Delsen during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Guests check-in to the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan and alumnus Ron Wolf during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Guests pose for a photo before the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders alumni George Atkinson and Henry Lawrence during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders senior vice president and chief sales offices Qiava Martinez during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Grant Irons during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Napoleon McCallum during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (47) during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Intermountain Health CEO Robert Allen during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
An artist works on a painting for the auction during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer Anderson Paak (as DJ Pee Wee) performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Guests pose for a photo during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Guests enjoy refreshments during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Jim Plunkett during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Guests look at the 2024 Ford Bronco Raptor auction vehicle during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Raiderette Camille poses for a photo with a guest during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) and cornerbacks coach Ricky Manning Jr. during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
A singer performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis and President Sandra Douglass Morgan during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer Andra Day performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis speaks to guests during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis speaks to guests during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders executive director of the Raiders Foundation Kari Uyehara speaks to guests during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Actor and comedian Michael Yo speaks to guests during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Actor and comedian Michael Yo speaks to guests during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis presents the first "Mental Health Commitment to Excellence Award" on behalf of Larry and Camille Ruvo of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis presents the first "Mental Health Commitment to Excellence Award" to Bob Brown and Linda Smith of Opportunity Village during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Intermountain Health CEO Robert Allen speaks to guests during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Intermountain Health CEO Robert Allen speaks to guests during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce and Intermountain Health CEO Robert Allen speak to guests during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan, executive director of the Raiders Foundation Kari Uyehara, board of directors member Larry Delsen, Owner Mark Davis and executive director of the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada Barbara Buckley pose for a photo with a check during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders defenive coordinator Patrick Graham during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
An auctioneer facilitates the silent auction during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders board of directors member Larry Delsen during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
A guest wins an auction item during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
A guest during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus James Lofton during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
A guest during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
A guest during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) and Head Coach Antonio Pierce during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66), offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (61), tackle Jalen McKenzie (73), linebacker Divine Deablo (5) and quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
A guest during the auction at the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Record producer and music executive David Foster performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Record producer and music executive David Foster and singer-songwriter and actress Katharine McPhee perform during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer Loren Allred performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer Loren Allred performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer and actress Jordin Sparks performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer Pia Toscano performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer Pia Toscano performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce and singer-songwriter and actress Katharine McPhee perform during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer-songwriter and actress Katharine McPhee performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer and actress Jordin Sparks performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer-songwriter and record producer Babyface performs during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
Singer-songwriter and actress Katharine McPhee, singer Loren Allred, singer-songwriter and record producer Babyface and singer Pia Toscano perform during the inaugural Silver and Black Gala at Wynn Las Vegas.
