Cornerback

The Raiders have cut Stanford Routt for salary cap reasons. Meanwhile, Lito Sheppard is a mediocre free agent. Are DeMarcus Van Dyke and Chimdi Chewka (3^rd and 4^th round picks in 2011) ready to take over as the starters in 2012? Well, they might have to be. The Raiders don’t have a pick in the first 4 rounds nor do they have any cap space.

Nose Tackle

The Raiders are expected to start using some more 3-4 next season. New Head Coach Dennis Allen said he was open to either scheme and then hired a defensive coordinator from Stanford, who runs a 3-4. However, they don’t have anyone signed that can be a 3-4 nose tackle. Given their lack of draft picks and cap space, they may have to resign John Henderson for this role, but he’s a 33 year old declining and injury prone player.

Rush Linebacker

In the 3-4, Kamerion Wimbley would be a natural fit as a rush linebacker, but he’s refused to restructure his contract so the Raiders can get under the cap so he could be cut or traded. Meanwhile, they don’t really have anyone who can clearly play the other rush linebacker position. Matt Shaughnessy is not a good fit and will probably play solely in 4-3 base packages or be traded.

Guard

Right guard Cooper Carlisle is 35 and needs to be upgraded. Meanwhile, left guard Stefen Wisniewski is expected to move to center next season. That leaves them with Bruce Campbell, an unproven 2010 4^th round pick, at guard. They need help here.

Offensive Tackle

Khalif Barnes was pretty bad last year and is now a free agent. Joseph Barksdale was their 3^rd round pick in 2011, but they may want to bring in a veteran to compete with him just in case he’s not ready.

Safety

Tyvon Branch is one of the better safeties in the league, but can the Raiders resign him with their cap situation the way it is? If they can’t, 2009 2^nd round pick Michael Mitchell, who has struggled to this point in his career, might have to start at safety.

Middle Linebacker

In their 3-4, Aaron Curry is expected to move inside with Rolando McClain, but more depth could be had. Curry is far from a proven commodity. That’s why he was so easily had in a trade from Seattle, though he wasn’t awful down the stretch.

Running Back

Michael Bush is a free agent. He wants a starting job and the Raiders have even considered trading Darren McFadden (more talented, but more injury prone) and making Bush the starter. However, unless that happens, Bush is gone so they need another power compliment back to take over in case McFadden isn’t healthy in 2012. Taiwan Jones is too small.