Oakland Raiders: Building an NFL Trade Deadline Wishlist for the Raiders

The Oakland Raiders are third in the AFC West with a 2-4 record.
Cary Emondson-US PRESSWIRE

The NFL trade deadline is coming up very quickly and the Oakland Raiders could greatly benefit from it. After their second come-from-behind victory of the season, the Raiders showed they still have many flaws on both sides of the ball.

They fell behind by two touchdowns at home to the Jacksonville Jaguars, one of the league's worst teams. A win is a win, but can the Raiders really feel good about needing overtime to beat the Jaguars?

Oakland remains one of the worst teams in the league defending the pass, as well as running the football. Though the Raiders are only 2-4, they are very much alive in the mediocre AFC West.

If the Raiders want any shot at a postseason run, they must address the critical issues that have plagued them all year long.

Offensive Linemen

Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE

Carson Palmer has played well this season, but he hasn't had much help from his offensive line. The O-line's inability to give Palmer any time to throw the ball has inhibited Oakland's chances of utilizing the deep pass.

Not only is the struggling offensive line hurting the passing game, it is making life that much harder for Darren McFadden. Granted, he has struggled with offensive coordinator Greg Knapp's zone-blocking scheme this season, but he hasn't had any holes to run through either.

McFadden has failed to average three yards per carry in five of Oakland's six games and only managed 53 yards against Jacksonville's 30th-ranked run defense.

The Raiders offensive line got pushed around by the hapless Jacksonville Jaguars. Imagine how much worse it could get for them when they play a team with an actual pass rush.

Secondary Improvement

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Oakland's secondary has been abused all season long. It has been the Achilles' heel to the defense since Week 1 and the numbers prove it.

The Raiders are giving up 275 yards a game through the air, good enough for 25th in the NFL. They even made Blaine Gabbert look incredible after he finished 8-for-12 for 110 yards and a touchdown before leaving with a shoulder injury.

Gabbert came into the game as one of the NFL's worst quarterbacks, yet still found a way to get the best of Oakland's pathetic pass defense. If he played the entire game, it's highly unlikely the Raiders would have beaten the Jaguars.

The fact that Oakland's win depended on Gabbert's health is just sad; much like the Raiders' pass defense.

A New Offensive Gameplan

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This slide doesn't cater to the players as much as it does to personnel. When will Greg Knapp utilize his players the way they are meant to be utilized?

Darren McFadden has become the new Chris Johnson, and Carson Palmer is 20th in the league in yards per completion by checking down nearly every throw he makes.

The Raiders need to do a better job at stretching the field. With a highly talented group of young receivers and a proven running back on the team, Oakland needs a new offensive game plan.

The Raiders travel to Kansas City next week and haven't lost in Arrowhead Stadium since 2006. A win in Week 8 puts the Raiders in the middle of the hunt for The AFC West crown.

By the time the Week 8 trade deadline passes, the Raiders will have a better view of where they sit in the division.

An offensive change needs to be made if Oakland wants to make the postseason.