No. 2: Edge Rusher

Back in April, the Raiders addressed their glaring weakness on the defensive line by drafting LSU EDGE Arden Key, Michigan’s Maurice Hurst, and Sam Houston State’s P.J. Hall. Finally, prized edge rusher Khalil Mack had some help.

Well, not so fast.

The weekend before the first game of the season, the Raiders sent Mack to Chicago in exchange for two first-round draft picks. The blockbuster move of the offseason left the Raiders with a glaring hole at edge rusher, a weakness that has been readily apparent in the first four weeks.

Jon Gruden has received more than his fair share of hate for making the trade, and then some. He has been absolutely slaughtered by the media for trading away his best player. As part of the minority, I actually believe that the move was perplexing, yet the correct move to make given the circumstances.

Gruden doesn’t believe this roster is ready to compete and would rather have draft capital to address holes in other places on the roster. However, by trading Mack he created another hole.

Who knows, perhaps the Raiders are in a position to get someone like Ohio State’s Nick Bosa or Houston’s Ed Oliver in the next draft. Regardless, the Raiders need to find someone, or a rotation of people, to replace Mack. Ideally, that solution is found during the season as it would significantly help the franchise be competitive.

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