Identifying Oakland Raiders' 5 Most Improved Positional Units

During the offseason, it's every team's goal to improve across the board. Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie has established a young core over the past few years, which allowed him to focus on depth during the 2017 offseason.

Typically, fans began salivating at potential free agents to sign off the market, but the front office took a conservative approach. Aside from running back Marshawn Lynch, who didn't classify as a free agent, McKenzie targeted under-the-radar acquisitions to fill out the roster. 

Even for the weakest positional unit, linebacker, the Raiders executive didn't sign a prominent name, left a proven commodity in Perry Riley Jr. unsigned and waited until the fifth round to address the void. 

Nonetheless, Oakland will go into the 2017 season with a better roster compared to the previous year. Here, we cycle through the top five most improved positions after free agency and the draft.

Wide Receiver

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McKenzie opted to upgrade depth behind wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, which bodes well for quarterback Derek Carr late in the season.

Cooper's production faded toward the end of his first two seasons. Crabtree suffered a finger injury late in the previous year, which caused a few easy drops, and Seth Roberts logged a 49.4 percent catch rate.

The Raiders' passing offense needed another pair of reliable hands to lessen the drops and fill injury voids if necessary. Cordarrelle Patterson's numbers with the Minnesota Vikings don't look impressive but expect his production to increase when paired with a better quarterback.

Patterson won't completely displace Roberts, but the fifth-year veteran will steal some snaps in the slot as a quality catch-and-run receiver who can rack up yards after the reception.

The Raiders have four wide receivers who can dig into a defense on any given Sunday with speed, finesse, size and clutch play.

Tight End

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The Raiders missed out on Martellus Bennett but acquired Jared Cook on the rebound. The former Green Bay Packer should take over the starting spot ahead of Clive Walford and Lee Smith.

Offensive coordinator Todd Downing should be able to run two tight end sets, especially in the red zone with Cook and Walford. The ninth-year pro will be able to find separation in the seam for long receptions. Due to his experience, he's a good example for the third-year player at the position. 

Walford flashed in spots during his first two seasons, but McKenzie felt he lacked in areas due to health conditions. He suffered a knee injury in the previous offseason due to an ATV incident.

Now, with Cook in the fold, Carr has another big-body target on condensed fields inside the 20-yard line.

Safety

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The defense desperately needed safety help after Nate Allen signed with the Miami Dolphins and Brynden Trawick joined the Tennessee Titans. Keith McGill listed as the only reserve safety behind Karl Joseph and Reggie Nelson going into free agency.

The Raiders drafted Obi Melifonwu in the second round, and he'll likely take over after Nelson's contract expires after the 2017 season. Due to the rookie's experience at free safety and tackling ability, Joseph would be able to remain at strong safety or flip positions when playing alongside the second-round pick.

Melifonwu flashed his athleticism early in the prospect evaluation process at the NFL Scouting Combine. At 6'4", 224 pounds, with a 4.40-second 40-yard time and a 44" vertical jump, he's equipped to high-point deep balls and chase down receivers as well as ball-carriers. 

Once the Connecticut product improves on his ability to track the ball in traffic, he may play the moneybacker role similar to Arizona Cardinals defender Deone Bucannon.

Defensive End/Defensive Tackle

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The Raiders didn't fare well against the run during the 2016 campaign. The defense ranked No. 23 in rushing yards allowed and No. 25 in points surrendered on the ground. With lingering question marks at linebacker, it's imperative to fortify and develop the defensive line.

McKenzie added interior defensive linemen Eddie Vanderdoes and Treyvon Hester to the trenches to address the run defense and add pocket pressure up the middle.

The UCLA product will miss organized team activities and mandatory minicamp due to academic obligations, per NBC Bay Area reporter Scott Bair, but Hester has the opportunity to take advantage of extra reps.

Mario Edwards Jr. will provide the bulk of the improvement up front, but the depth along the defensive line allows the coaching staff to mix and match the best combinations based on matchups.

Again, McKenzie targeted depth, which plays a huge part in finishing a 16-game season on a strong note.

Cornerback

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Sean Smith and David Amerson experienced mixed results during the previous year, and Pro Football Focus graded the former's performance significantly better than the latter. Whether you blame an incompatible scheme or poor play, McKenzie had to address the secondary.

Cornerback Gareon Conley might have come off the board within the top half of the first round, but he fell to the Raiders at No. 24 due to rape allegations. The investigation remains in progress. The team should hear an update in the time space between mandatory minicamp mid-June and training camp late July, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. 

On the field, Conley brings solid man-coverage ability with the tools to play inside and outside. The coaching staff will likely match the Ohio State product against quick-twitch receivers on the field. Eventually, the Raiders' first-round pick will take over Smith or Amerson's spot on the perimeter.

Stats provided by NFL.com and Pro Football Reference unless otherwise noted.