Will the Raiders select Stanford guard Joshua Garnett in the 2016 NFL Draft?

The 2015 Oakland Raiders finished with a 7-9 record. In years past that would have been a great season, but times are different.

There are expectations now in the Black Hole thanks to a young nucleus that general manager Reggie McKenzie has assembled. Quarterback Derek Carr threw for 3,987 yards with 32 touchdowns, running back Latavius Murray rushed for 1,066 yards, rookie receiver Amari Cooper caught 72 passes for 1,070 yards and defensive end/linebacker Khalil Mack became the first player in NFL history to make the AP All-Pro Team at two different positions in the same year.

2015 Draft Picks

Top Needs

Secondary, secondary, secondary! I think it’s safe to say that cornerback D.J. Hayden, the No. 12 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, is a bust. All-Universe safety Charles Woodson is retiring and safety Nate Allen…well, let me just say that there was much rejoicing in the “City of Brotherly Love” when the Raiders signed him to a big contract.

While cornerback David Amerson played great after being picked off the waiver wire, he was terrible in Washington. There won’t be any island naming in the near future.

Potential fit: If Vernon Hargreaves III (CB, Florida), Jalen Ramsey (S/CB, Florida St.) or Mackensie Alexander (CB, Clemson) fall to the Raiders. Highly unlikely but we all thought the same thing about Khalil Mack.

Since I believe improving the secondary is priority numero uno, I think Tre’Davious White (CB, LSU) could be the pick for the Raiders in Round 1 of the 2016 NFL Draft. I can envision GM McKenzie doubling down on the secondary with a Round 2 pick of Vonn Bell (S, Ohio State).

Offensive line: Center Rodney Hudson and Guard Gabe Jackson are a formidable duo manning the interior of the offensive line. Past them, there are tons of question marks. Tackle Austin Howard was playing great before succumbing to the IR due to a knee injury.

Menelik Watson, the athletic second-round draft pick in 2013, is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Donald Penn, J’Marcus Webb, Tony Bergstrom, Matt McCants and Khalif Barnes are all free agents. Jon Feliciano was a rookie and probably needs more time to develop.

Potential fit: Since I believe the Raiders will address the secondary in the first two rounds of the draft, the middle rounds are where I think they will pick up offensive linemen. Joshua Garnett (OG, Stanford) could be a great fit. Imagine Hudson, Jackson and Garnett forming the belly of the line. Shivers. Tyler Marz (OT, Wisconsin) also works here.

Defensive end: Justin Tuck is 32 years old and a free agent. Promising rookie, Mario Edwards Jr., suffered a neck injury, and his status is in doubt. Denico Autry and Shelby Harris are free agents.

Potential fit: Since the Raiders run a hybrid defense with Mack at both end and linebacker, a big, versatile lineman who can both play the run and rush the passer could be in order, a la Mario Edwards Jr. Sheldon Rankins (DE, Louisville) fits the mold perfectly. I see him in the fourth round of mock drafts so it could be possible.

Late-Round Fliers

Here are a few players the Raiders may look to take late-round fliers on.

• Round 5 – Brandon Facyson (CB, Virginia Tech), Spencer Drango (OT, Baylor) and Lloyd Carrington (CB, Arizona State)

• Round 6 – Mehdi Abdesmad (DL, Boston College), DeAndre Houston-Carson (CB/S, William & Mary), Pearce Slater (OT, San Diego St.), Romeo Okwara (DE, Notre Dame), Jordan Lomax (S, Iowa), and R.J. Williamson (S, Michigan St.)

• Round 7 – Quinton Jefferson (DL, Maryland), Cole Toner (OT, Harvard), and Brian Poole (CB, Florida)

Stan Son is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Stan, check out his archive and follow him @Stan_Son.