HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) 鈥� There鈥檚 not a lot of mystery about who the Las Vegas Raiders will likely select atop the NFL draft next week.
What the Raiders opt to do after they are expected to is where the uncertainty lies.
They could go all-out to surround him with offensive help, notably on the line and at wide receiver. Las Vegas also could address its defense, especially the secondary.
Most likely, the Raiders will look to upgrade a number of positions given they have 10 picks.
Whatever directions the Raiders go, it’s part of a long-term plan to turn around a franchise that has gone more than two decades since appearing in the Super Bowl. General manager John Spytek has said this is no quick fix.
鈥淲hy else come to Vegas to be a part of this organization, to make it a consistent winner?鈥� . 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what we鈥檙e all striving for, but the process of putting an organization in that position, that鈥檚 why you come. That鈥檚 the great challenge that it鈥檚 going to be.鈥�
Needs
The Raiders’ most pressing need is expected to be addressed in the first 10 minutes when they submit their card to the NFL.
Anyone but Mendoza’s name would be a major surprise.
Offensive line remains a significant area of need even after and the expected return of left tackle he sustained four games into last season.
Though Brock Bowers is the closest a tight end can be to a No. 1 receiver, it’s still doesn’t solve the problem created when last season. The Raiders signed Jalen Nailor in the hopes his Las Vegas homecoming will help him emerge from the shadows in Minnesota under Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Every part of the defense could be improved, especially in the secondary and at defensive tackle.
Doesn’t need
AJ Cole might be the league’s best punter, but other than that, the Raiders can use help throughout their lineup.
Round 1 for Kubiak
This is Kubiak’s first draft as a head coach, and Spytek said he has had significant say into the planning, including a meeting last week with all the coaches.
鈥淲e got a lot of valuable information, not only on the way we鈥檙e trying to run things and how guys fit into the systems that we鈥檙e trying to put into place, but really quality evaluations of them as well,鈥� Spytek said. “I think that鈥檚 really important as we put a team together.”
Round 2 for Spytek
Spytek said he learned from his first draft experience as GM last year to be more collaborative. He said he 鈥渢ried to do too much鈥� because of his unfamiliarity with so many in the organization.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 always important to really have great people around you and trust and empower them to do their jobs, to support you as well as they can,” Spytek said. “It鈥檚 really not about me. It鈥檚 about the team and the Raiders and the best decisions.鈥�
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