The Oakland Raiders are showing a lot of promise in the weeks leading up to the season opener on September 12th.

They've made the necessary moves to be a contender in the NFL.

However, there are still some holes on this Raider team, and I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Al Davis makes a huge trade in the upcoming days.

Mr. Davis is known for making some big trades recently. In 2008, he made a trade for DeAngelo Hall and just last year he snatched up Richard Seymour from New England.

Surely the Raiders are to get a big-name player in the next few weeks.

The big question is: What position needs to get upgraded the most?

Well, we all know the Raiders have big needs on the offensive line. Let's start there.

Everyone on the line worries me a bit. Jared Veldheer needs to start at center this season so he needs to speed up the learning a little bit. If you look at the left tackle spot, Mario Henderson is a player who has great potential in Silver and Black. However, he is still a huge question mark. He'll struggle against the faster edge-rushers.

Langston Walker has been average in his two pre-season games, but his experience is very valuable. Cooper Carlisle has looked considerably bad, and I think his age has finally caught up with him. That said, he's still a solid back-up.

The two players I think the Raiders should have gotten a long time ago are either Logan Mankins or Jared Gaither.

Mankins is a disgruntled guard and Gaither is a solid tackle who the Baltimore Ravens have been shopping a bit. Either player will do, in my opinion. If the Raiders get one or both, they have a much better shot at the playoffs.

 

Wide Receiver

Yes, the Raiders still have some problems at wide receiver. Chaz Schilens has just been a disappointment. I know it's not the kid's fault, but you have to think he could end up on injured reserve this season.

Darrius Heyward-Bey is a guy I know can develop into a great player. I can't wait to see what he does tomorrow against the 49ers.

Louis Murphy is Oakland's clear-cut best receiver. He's a polished route-runner, but needs to work on his catching a little bit. He's obviously been Jason Campbell's favorite target coming out of training camp.

After those three, it's a scramble. The Raiders have two guys who are solid in Nick Miller and Johnnie Lee Higgins, but they're still question marks. I would have liked to see Oakland make a trade for a player like Ted Ginn, a solid number three.

Any ideas Raider Nation? Vincent Jackson? I kid, I kid!

 

Middle Linebacker

Rolando McClain will start for the Raiders for the next 10 years, no doubt. But what about his back-ups?

Well, Travis Goethel is an outside-linebacker turned to middle who's looking just to make the practice squad. Ricky Brown has sometimes stood out like a starter but is just too injury-prone to depend on.

The Raiders obviously need a better backup in case something happens to McClain. While I know this won't be exactly a huge trade, it could work out in the long-run.

 

So tell me what you think everyone! Any other positions that need to get upgraded? And who should we trade for? I'm excited to read your comments. Thanks.