Oakland Raiders: 10 Bold Offseason Predictions for the Raiders

The regular season only has two games remaining and the Raiders are still in the playoff race. This is the first time since 2002 that fans have a reason to watch the final two games.

Oakland has improved in a lot of areas but also suffer from the usual mistakes and weaknesses.

This team is close to becoming a true playoff contender but there are some issues they need to fix.

Overall team discipline is still a weakness for the team. Giving up big plays, not being able to stop the run and penalties are still issues for the Raiders.

The offensive line still needs to do better in the passing game and the receivers need to be a bigger factor in games.

Let's take a let at 10 changes that could happen this offseason for the Raiders.

Jason Campbell Is Named The Unquestioned Starter

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 19: Jason Campbell #8 of the Oakland Raiders in action against the Denver Broncos at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

There will be a lot of chatter during the offseason about the Raiders bringing in another quarterback. Players like Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, and others will be brought up in trade talks.

The Raiders will be linked to every quarterback that is available, but they will not make a move.

The Raiders feel they have a solid veteran quarterback that can lead them to the playoffs, so don't expect them to make a trade for another one.

That said, don't be surprised if the Raiders add another quarterback to the team that isn't a veteran.

Raiders Draft Quarterback

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 06: Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Look for the Raiders to add an offensive lineman in the second round of the NFL draft to add more depth, but also look for them to look at a young quarterback in the later rounds.

Jason Campbell will be playing for a contract extension next year so he should have a solid year, but having a young guy sit and learn on the bench for a couple of years wouldn't be a bad thing.

Look for the Raiders to draft a quarterback sometime in the draft.

Richard Seymour Gets Paid

Donald Miralle/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 5: Richard Seymour #92 of the Oakland Raiders smiles from the sidelines in the closing minutes of his team's 28-13 win over the San Diego Chargers during their NFL game at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, Califor

The Raiders will dish out another big time contract this offseason. Look for Richard Seymour to get paid and get paid a ridiculous amount of money.

Al Davis now has one of the most dominant defensive lines in the league, and one of their leaders is the nasty Seymour.

Davis will do whatever he can to keep him. He'll be signed to a large contract that many people will criticize due to Seymour's age.

Nnamdi Asomugha's Last Offseason As A Raider?

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Nnamdi Asomugha #21 the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sideline against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 28-13. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Ge

This offseason could very well be Nnamdi Asomugha's last season as an Oakland Raider.

He will be entering the final year of his contract and you have to wonder what kind of contract it would take for him to be signed.

If the Raiders finish next season strong, Asomugha may be willing to sign for less money and stay with Oakland.

It is a possibility that he may choose to sign with a team that is close to winning the title. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Raiders Do Not Add a Veteran Wide Receiver

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 21: Chad Ochocinco #85 and Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals watch from the sideline during the final minutes of the Bengals 49-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Paul Brown Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Terrell Owens, Randy Moss and other receivers should be available at the end of the season. The Raiders will be linked to all of those names again, but look for them to stay away.

The Raiders receivers are very young, but they have the ability to become a solid unit. Louis Murphy, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Jacoby Ford, Chaz Schilens and Johnnie Lee Higgins make up an explosive unit.

If they are able to progress during the offseason and stay healthy this group will be making plays for years to come.

Veteran Cornerback to Oakland?

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 05: Champ Bailey #24 of the Denver Broncos during warm-ups prior to the start of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 5, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The good news is Stanford Routt has been playing better this season than he ever has before. The bad news is that he is still playing opposite of Nnamdi Asomugha. 

There will be some veteran cornerbacks available this offseason, and this may be one of the few positions the Raiders may look into and invest some money in.

Champ Bailey could be the biggest name out there, but don't be surprised if the Raiders stay away.

Oakland has some young defensive backs and some other veterans but they need to find someone that can play solid and add some depth to the cornerback position.

Tom Cable Will Not Be Retained As Head Coach

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable looks on from the sideline against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 28-13. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty

Tom Cable's contract expires after this season and there has been more talk about him being in the hot seat than getting an extension.

Don't be surprised if the Raiders don't give Cable an extension right away or if they don't give him one at all.

There aren't many teams out there who are jumping at the opportunity to give Cable a head coaching job right now, and not many wanting him as an offensive coordinator either.

The bottom line is that he's had three years with the Raiders and his squad is still average. I realize they have improved but going from really bad, to average is not what this franchise needs.

I know the Raiders have lost 11 games the past seven seasons, but that doesn't mean settling for average is ok for this franchise.

Look for the Raiders to keep their options open this offseason and not bring Cable back as the head coach.

Chaz Schilens Gets Healthy

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

NAPA, CA - AUGUST 01: Chaz Schilens #81 of the Oakland Raiders works out during the Raiders training camp at their Napa Valley Training Complex on August 1, 2010 in Napa, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Raiders have been without one of their best receivers all year due to injury. He has missed the majority of the last two season's with a foot and knee injury.

Look for Chaz Schilens to get healthy this offseason and be ready for the upcoming season.

The Raiders need him in the line up to help their young offense going.

If he doesn't get healthy his NFL career may not last very long, but look for him to put in the time to rehab his injuries and make it back in time for the start of the season.

Hue Jackson Named Head Coach

Getty Images/Getty Images

BALTIMORE - 2008: Hue Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens poses for his 2008 NFL headshot at photo day in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Getty Images)

I've been one of the many who believe Hue Jackson will be the head coach of the Raiders next season. All the signs point to this decision being made.

Tom Cable was calling the plays last season and the offense was terrible, so Al Davis took the play calling duties away from him and personally chose Jackson to come to Oakland and call the plays.

Jackson is one of the biggest reason's Darren McFadden has changed his game around. McFadden has changed the way he takes care of his body and that all him, but Jackson has found ways to get him the ball.

Jackson spoke with McFadden during the offseason last year and asked him what he like to run best and what his strengths were.

Jackson gathered that information and designed plays that work with his abilities. The rest is history.

If Jackson can have this sort of impact with the whole team it would turn the franchise around.

Losing Cable will not hurt the Raiders much because this isn't his staff, it's Davis' staff. So the majority of the coaching staff will stay the same.

More importantly the offensive scheme will stay the same for Jason Campbell and the young offense to grow in it.

Raiders Draft Fastest Guy In Combine

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Jacoby Ford #12 the Oakland Raiders carries the ball against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 28-13. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

This may be more of a promise than a prediction for Oakland.

The Raiders draft some of the fastest players in their position almost every draft. Whether it's Darrius Heyward-Bey, Jacoby Ford, Darren McFadden or Tyvon Branch, they love speed.

Keep an eye out for the fastest guy in the combine this year, he'll most likely be an Oakland Raider.

For more Raider News and Notes follow me on Twitter:http://twitter.com/Elias_Trejo