COMMENTARY | Yes, the Oakland Raiders' defense was atrocious last season.
Atrocious may be putting it lightly.
The Raiders must address their immediate defensive issues with their first and third-round picks this year, but they can still improve other facets that must get better in 2013.
Oakland has the 97th pick in the draft, one of the earliest in the fourth round. And with no fifth-round pick, (at least not yet) this pick must be a great one for general manager Reggie McKenzie.
Here are three prospects McKenzie needs to take into consideration in the fourth round.
Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M
The Raiders need help at the wide receiver position.
Though it isn't an immediate need that needs to be solved with the first two picks, the Raiders could benefit from a consistent wide receiver like Ryan Swope.
Swope put together a quietly steadfast career at Texas A&M, even without Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel throwing him the ball the entire time.
During his junior season, Swope finished with over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns. The next year, Swope's first in the SEC, he had 913 yards and eight touchdowns while playing in the toughest defensive conference in the nation.
He had five games with at least seven receptions, and two games with double-digit receptions.
While Darrius Heyward-Bey and Denarius Moore have still yet to hone their skills in the NFL, Swope would give the Raiders an exciting and underrated target to work with.
Oday Aboushi, OT, Virginia
After spending the majority of his career at left tackle, Oday Aboushi has been making the transition to right tackle to increase his draft stock.
Khalif Barnes was horrible at right tackle for the Raiders last season and made $2 million in the process.
Now, Barnes is a free agent, and Oakland needs to find his replacement.
Anybody other than Barnes would be an instant upgrade at this point.
Aboushi was an early invite to this year's Senior Bowl, and his All-ACC honors in 2012 makes him a solid candidate for the Raiders at this stage in the draft.
But Aboushi has gotten better every year since he came to Virginia, and his 6'5'', 310-pound frame along with his speed and versatility make him a solid fourth-round pick for the Raiders.
Joseph Randle, RB, Oklahoma State
Darren McFadden's inability to stay healthy during his five years in Oakland has really put the Raiders in a hole.
Sure, he's been phenomenal when healthy, but McFadden hasn't played in more than 13 games in a season since the Raiders drafted him with the No. 4 overall pick in 2008.
Now, McFadden is entering his contract year and is scheduled to make $9.6 million in 2013.
The Raiders need to find an option to replace him if he goes down again next season. Marcel Reece was stellar for Oakland last year, but he's a converted fullback who will need some help trying to carry the workload.
Oklahoma State's Joseph Randle would be a great addition the the Raiders. He compiled over 2,600 yards and an unprecedented 38 touchdowns during his last two seasons.
Those are staggering numbers.
Though McFadden has had stints of success as a Raider, his constant trips to the disabled list have hurt his chances of getting a long-term deal.
The Raiders need to pay attention to Randle on draft day.
Steven Slivka is a Featured Columnist for the Oakland Raiders. You can follow him on Twitter @stevenslivka
