In continuing with this 32 article series, here's a look at the top needs for the Oakland Raiders as well as a seven-round mock draft we ran through the FanSpeak mock draft simulator. We manually picked for Oakland while the picks for all other 31 teams were selected by the simulator.

1. Free Safety

If the season were to start today, Oakland may in fact be favored to win the AFC West. As unimaginable as that might seem, objective analysis leads us to this conclusion. One of the only things holding this team back is coverage in the back end of the defense. Following the retirement of Charles Woodson, the team lacks anyone of substance to play free safety. It also struck out on adding one of the few very capable free safeties on the free-agent market. The unfortunate thing here is that free safety is incredibly thin in the 2016 NFL draft. That's going to make it hard for the Raiders to add anyone that can contribute here immediately. 

2. Strong Safety

Sensing a theme here? Safety remains the biggest need for the Raiders. The good news here is that there will be decent options at this position on Day 2. Whether it's someone like Ohio State's Von Bell or Duke's Jeremy Cash, the Raiders should be able to net a future starting strong safety at some point in the draft. That becomes an absolute necessity with Tevin McDonald and Dexter McDonald as the only true strong safeties in the roster right now. 

3. Weak-side linebacker

Malcolm Smith is a replacement level starter at best. And while the Raiders did add a solid player in Bruce Irvin on the strong side, they need to find another linebacker that can drop back into coverage. Simply put, Smith isn't that guy. It could come as early as the first round with someone like Darron Lee. It could also come in the form of a project mid-round pick. It will be interesting to see how general manager Reggie McKenzie and Co. address this issue come draft time. 

4. Running Back

Some will point to Latavius Murray's solid stats from a season ago (nearly 1,300 total yards) as a reason why running back isn't a priority for Oakland. That's until we realize he failed to put up as much as 70 rushing yards nine times in 2015. In reality, it was boom or bust for Murray. After that, the Raiders had absolutely nothing to speak of. Roy Helu averaged just 2.3 yards in limited action. Meanwhile, Taiwan Jones only touched the ball 17 times on the ground. 

5. Cornerback

The addition of an elite-level corner in Sean Smith helps the Raiders big time. It doesn't, however, end the team's need at this position. David Amerson is slated to start opposite Smith as of right now. He played well after being picked up off waivers from the Redskins last season. But is he a starter-caliber cover guy? That much is not yet known. In addition to this, former first-round pick D.J. Hayden has been an absolute bust. At the very least, young talent and depth is needed here.